Posted: 1/8/2009 1:53:27 PM EDT
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I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this question, but I figured if you guys don't know, no one will.
I was given this scanner and was wondering if it is completely obsolete or if it can still be used. I am not sure if the local police use digital radios or if that even matters... or what else this thing will receive. It is a Uniden Bearcat BC 172XL. 
Thanks for any help you guys may be able to give me. ETA: I found this instruction manual but I am still wondering about the questions above. Linkeroo |
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Covers up to 512 mhz. Most large towns have gone to 800 mhz but is very useful to monitor FD and small town PD's that haven't gone 800 mhz yet. Will also do AM aircraft (108-136 mhz) fun to listen to.
G00gle fu "scanner frequencies" and look for some in your area. |
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Quoted:
I am not sure if the local police use digital radios or if that even matters... or what else this thing will receive. you have a very useful scanner, suitable for receiving analog FM signals. 1st –– you can get NOAA weather radio on one of 7 local frequencies. you will have to try each to see which is strongest. see the bottom of this link, the frequencies are in a horizontal table, all around 162.5MHz: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/ 2nd –– you *may* be able to receive the local police/sheriff/fire/ems/etc in either the VHF band (approximately around 155MHZ) or in the UHF band (around 460MHz). as noted above, your local public safety folks may have moved on to a digital system, in which case you are SOL. see http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/ 3rd –– you can monitor amateur (ham) radio frequencies in the 144-148MHz, and the 440-450MHz range. you can find the frequencies of amateur radio repeaters in your area via http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=22&t=604477#10323243 there are others but that should get you started. ar-jedi |