Posted: 7/1/2006 7:39:02 PM EDT
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My brother in law gave me a scanner today. Does anyone have any experience with these? Any cool frequencies I should program into it? It seems like a lot of you guys live in northern Illinois and I don't think this little antenna will reach that far. Thanks. Matt |
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I don't know where you are located, but this should give you a good start: www.cityfreq.com/il/ or www.radioreference.com/ Also there are many books available at the local radio shop or even Radio Shack that have a list of Freq's in them, or Google Scanner Frequencies. Off the top of my head: If you are up north, Chicago Center (Air Traffic Control) is 127.8mhz and 125.2mhz Illinois State Police ISPERN(statewide Emergency Radio Net) 155.475mhz ISPERN2 (n'tl ISPERN) 155.4875mhz IL Weather Alert 152.2850mhz Nt'l Aircraft Emergency Channel 121.5000mhz |
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I live in springfield also. The thing about the police radios here is that every time they key their mic's it uses another frequency. But there are only like 6 channels they use. The fire department and spfld police use the same chanels also. The scanner needs to scan through all the channels all the time, then stop on the ones that are broadcsting. You may not be able to do that with yours. Also if something good happens they "close" the channel so you cant hear them anymore. I use an Icom IC-R20 and it does pretty good. There is alot more going on than you would imagine, 75% of what happens is not reported in the paper or on the news. Especially shootings, those are very rarely ever reported. Last summer there was a shooting every other day for 2 weeks straight and not one of them was in the news. I dont think anyone was hit, and it was the same group ivolved in all of them (east side, you get the idea). You would think they would tell you about such things, but apparently thats classified info around here. Just tonight (the 4th) spfld police chased a guy with a gun (10-32) (learn the police 10 codes also) then they tased him. It was funny, the cop was all out of breath yelling into his radio. |
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I know what you mean. I was listening to last Sunday and all manner of crap was happening. Also I have a new perspective on the the amount of B.S. police have to deal with. In the short time I listened I heard dispatches for every thing from baby ducks in the road, drunk guy in the road, neighbors dog on someones yard, to a man brandishing a gun, fleeing buglary suspect, and the apparently ever popular domestic disturbance. I do not think I would have the patience for it. No shit!!!! I just turned it on as I was typing. They jusy got a call saying there was a raccoon running down the street, they want to police to stop it and find out if it is mean or not!!! WTF!! I programmed all the local codes but most often stops on 155.535. Thanks for the input. Any local shooters should consider getting together someday. Ofcourse all here would be welcome. Matt |
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The only ones found listed on the net as Spfld. were 154.860, 155.535,155.655, 155.850, 156.150, 453.600, 453.900, 154.725. I tried to program the one you listed. I got an E for error. I think it is just too old. (the scanner)The 155.535 was listed as Spfld/Sangamon emergency dispatch Thanks guys. Matt. BTW: The officer called back in a while ago. He said (with barely contained laughter) that "the raccoon was okay". Now we can all sleep safer. I guess these guys have to respond to every call no matter how stupid. |
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Down in Springfield you could probably pick up some good state chatter from DOT, DNR, DOC, etc etc. On state radio every dept has their own number code, followed by employment location number code, then every employee at that site has their own number. At work we always joke if we hear #1 broadcasting we'll know who it is. 
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I live close to Decatur, and I am always listing to the scanner on my way to work. I am always hearing of shootings, or somebody has discharged a firearm. It seems like there is never a dull moment in Decatur. I find my scanner comes in very useful when I'm on my way to work in the middle of a blizzard. I listen to the snow plow crews, and am more prepared as to what I might run into on my way in to work. |