Scanners (radio)

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imported_killerjg

New member
I am about to do some travelling and was wondering if there is a scanner that picks up CB channels as well as the normal scaned bands?



I know you have to programm scanners, but are there scanners that will automatically pick up signals?
 
I have a little BearCat scanner that picks up police/etc. but it doesn't pick up CB (wish it did!).



You don't have to program it, except to specify the state. It can be entertaining on trips, you can hear all sorts of "drama in real life" stuff (heh heh, including *you* getting your plate run if a statey catches you speeding :o ).



LEOs often take a dim view of such things though, they think you're up to no good, "listening in" on their business and trying to get away with something.



The "bear locator" feature, which supposedly picks up on the radio repeater signal in highway patrol cars, does *not* work reliably enough that you should count on it for ticket prevention ;)
 
Most scanners made in the past few years are capable of receiving CB frequencies. Some of the older Uniden Bearcat models did not, though, and some are still on the market so be careful of what you buy.



Scanners with a factory programmed service search feature for the CB usually cost a little more. But if you're willing to do some simple programming, you can enter the frequencies yourself on most scanners.



The bottom line is to make sure the scanner you're buying is capable of receiving CB frequencies. Check the scanner specs and compare it to the frequencies I have pasted below.



Right now Radio Shack has a nice little scanner (Pro-83) on sale for $80 that can receive the CB, but you have to program it yourself. I own this scanner and I must say that it is a little quirky to program and operate, but it's not too bad otherwise. The Uniden equivalent (Bearcat BC-72XLT) may also be available locally.



http://www.radioshack.com/product.a..._name=CTLG_008_009_010_003&product_id=20-501#



If you're willing to spend $150-$200 you can get a scanner with a factory-programmed search for the CB, but otherwise you'll have to buy one that received the frequencies below and program it yourself.



CB Radio frequencies (in MHz)



26.965 CH 1

26.975 CH 2

26.985 CH 3

27.005 CH 4

27.015 CH 5

27.025 CH 6

27.035 CH 7

27.055 CH 8

27.065 CH 9

27.075 CH 10

27.085 CH 11

27.105 CH 12

27.115 CH 13

27.125 CH 14

27.135 CH 15

27.155 CH 16

27.165 CH 17

27.175 CH 18

27.185 CH 19

27.205 CH 20

27.215 CH 21

27.225 CH 22

27.235 CH 23

27.245 CH 24

27.255 CH 25

27.265 CH 26

27.275 CH 27

27.285 CH 28

27.295 CH 29

27.305 CH 30

27.315 CH 31

27.325 CH 32

27.335 CH 33

27.345 CH 34

27.355 CH 35

27.365 CH 36

27.375 CH 37

27.385 CH 38

27.395 CH 39

27.405 CH 40
 
Thanks for the input picked up a PRO96 digital scanner.



Dave, awesome freq info., exactly what I needed to program this beast. I was wondering how I was going to locate these.
 
Recommendations on where I can find freqs online? Will not have access to the net while travelling.



How about automated software to program this baby. It would be nice to pick something by a city name and the freqs appear.
 
Thanks for the input picked up a PRO96 digital scanner.
Click to expand...

Yikes! That's a heavy-duty scanner!



I took a look at the manual (downloaded from the RS website), and yours has a preprogrammed search for CB. Look on page 52 of your manual.



If you have a PC, you can buy a connector cable and software to load frequencies, information, etc. into your scanner (not much out there for Macs though). There is a book called "Police Call Book" you can buy at Radio Shack that has frequencies for just about every location in the US, but I think there are something like 7 or 8 regional books to cover the whole country.



Here is a site that contains a wealth of information and a forum:



http://www.radioreference.com/



There is also a database on the RR site that contains frequencies for just about anywhere. This site just stared about half a year ago, and it's continually growing.



Be sure to read through your manual a few times to get acquainted with your scanner. They can be tricky to program unless you fully understand what you're doing (especially trunking). Also, if you bought your scanner new from RS, be sure to check their website over the next month. I think that if your scanner goes on sale within 30 days they will refund the difference to you.



Good luck, you have a really nice scanner!
 
Good catch on p52, appreciate the assist. I was pushing buttons and found the CB channels right after my last post.



It's a pretty impressive unit, nothing like trying to figure out a new toy as the packers are moving boxes around.



I'll check out the website.
 
Hey, just got back on line in my new location. Scanner worked well, scanned the CB freqs all the way across country. I had forgotten though that the majority of the communications wouldn't be approprite for the little ones riding along!



Oh well, can't have too many toys!
 
Can you be traced on a CB radio?



When I was in high school, my friend had a CB in his car. Late at night we would drive around and see who we could talk to. Well my friend starting foul mouthing with some lunatic on the other end.



After a while, the guy told us to look in our rear view mirror and low and behold HE WAS THERE! He chased us around in a high speed pursuit where we shut off our lights and were cutting over street corners to outrun him. He needed an alignment after!



It was like those B grade movies you see like the one in the 70's where the guy is being chased by that truck and he drives a red Dodge Dart.



We were truly frightened. It makes for a good laugh when we meet up for a beer.



Just curious if you could be traced or if he got lucky.
 
TW85 HHI said:
Spilchy,



Did you see the movie Joy Ride by chance? ;)
Click to expand...



Yes! i forgot.



I wish I could remember the one about the guy being chased by the truck along the highway. It was from the 70's and is on TBS once in a while.
 
Spilchy



To answerer you question in short. Yes, you can be traced on any frequency any where any time as long as you are in the FCC governing district.



When I was into the Cb's back in the 80's and 90's I use to ride around like you and your friends did but I would not talk, I'd just listen and when there was a strong signal I would remove my antenna and drive around the area some more, when the signal was pounding in my receiver I would note the location who was talking, what car's were in the drive way ect.(old school of tracking) When I would sit around at home and chat with my friends and these jerks who I'd track down would come out of the wood work and try to screw with us I'd just ask them if they wanted me to knock on there door at that hours of the night ...having the information I had most of the time they would knock it off and join in for some late night of comradery. Those day are gone... long gone. so I hit the book and study for my Amateur Radio Operator licensed.



In the Amateur radio world the federal government has satellites in the sky that can be tuned to what ever frequency they want and can triangulate what ever they want down to a 50' area, I have heard this system in affect many times in the ham bands, this system that takes some time to do what you would like it to do "IF" they are not listening to something already. Most of the time they are busy but if the need arises they will sweep the frequencies and go back to what they were doing and send the report to the FCC for investigating.
 
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