| When looking for a handheld radio scanner a | | | | service scan, is pre-set by the manufacturer. This |
| person will find that there are many different | | | | scan mode contains the channels that are listened |
| types and styles of scanners available. Before | | | | to by the majority of scan users. The bank that |
| purchasing a scanner one will want to find out the | | | | stores these channels contains major |
| laws in their state or country regarding the use of | | | | departments such as marine, police, aircraft, and |
| a scanner so that they purchase the scanner that | | | | fire department. One may find that they need to |
| will be appropriate for their area. There are many | | | | create a separate bank to store the channels and |
| types of scanners available that have different | | | | frequencies for these departments in their own |
| options and features. When a person is searching | | | | area since the channels and frequencies may |
| for a handheld radio scanner they will want to | | | | differ from those in the location of the |
| select the scanner based on the type of use it will | | | | manufacturer. |
| receive the majority of the time. | | | | Most scanner have ten banks. A bank is an |
| When choosing a scanner a person will first want | | | | organizational tool that makes listening to certain |
| to determine what the main purpose will be for | | | | departments or topics easier. A person can put |
| the scanner and the location that it will be used. | | | | channels that are related to the same topic in one |
| Scanners are available with up to two thousand | | | | bank and with the push of a button access only |
| channels. The receiving range can be from 0. | | | | the channels in that bank. |
| 1-1300Mhz to 0. 5-1300Mhz. Some scanners have | | | | Some scanner contain trunk tracking. If a person |
| a receiving range of 0. 1-2150Mhz. These receiving | | | | wants to listen to police and fire frequencies, they |
| ranges will be important based on the location that | | | | will want to get a handheld radio scanner that has |
| a person will be using the scanner. | | | | this feature. Most police and fire departments |
| The number of channels that are needed for the | | | | have trunk systems. All of their transmissions are |
| scanner will be dependent on the intended use of | | | | emitted from on a trunk frequency. The trunk |
| the scanner. If a person will be using the scanner | | | | tracking can make the adjustment to receive |
| to listen to one type of frequency, such as the | | | | independent transmissions made from the "trunk." |
| fire department, and they live in a small town, | | | | When one is considering a handheld radio scanner, |
| they will not need a massive number of channels. | | | | they will want to talk to a professional who has |
| However, in larger cities, most departments have | | | | knowledge and expertise in the many types of |
| a minimum of five channels that are used on a | | | | scanners that are available and their different |
| regular basis. So, an individual living in a large town | | | | options and features. This individual will be familiar |
| or city will need more channels for listening to the | | | | with the scanner needs of different areas and will |
| police department transmissions. | | | | be able to provide a person with the assistance |
| There are several different search modes on | | | | they need to make the selection that will fit their |
| most of the handheld scanners. One mode, the | | | | needs. |