| There are many types of scanners available that | | | | frequencies for police, fire departments, aircraft, |
| have different options and features. When a | | | | and marine. These frequencies are set by the |
| person is searching for a handheld radio scanner | | | | manufacturer and often do not include some of |
| they will want to select the scanner based on the | | | | the frequencies that are relevant in the area |
| type of use it will receive the majority of the | | | | where the scanner will be used. However, since |
| time. | | | | the service scan is contained in a single bank on |
| When choosing a scanner a person will first want | | | | the scanner, one can program important |
| to determine what the main purpose will be for | | | | frequencies in a separate bank. |
| the scanner and the location that it will be used. | | | | Most scanner have ten banks. A bank is an |
| Scanners are available with up to two thousand | | | | organizational tool that makes listening to certain |
| channels. The receiving range can be from 0. | | | | departments or topics easier. A person can put |
| 1-1300Mhz to 0. 5-1300Mhz. Some scanners have | | | | channels that are related to the same topic in one |
| a receiving range of 0. 1-2150Mhz. These receiving | | | | bank and with the push of a button access only |
| ranges will be important based on the location that | | | | the channels in that bank. |
| a person will be using the scanner. | | | | Most police and fire departments use radio |
| A person who is interested in listening to one type | | | | frequencies and channels that are tied together |
| of transmission, for instance police and fire | | | | through a trunk system. Some scanner contain |
| departments, in a small town does not need a | | | | trunk tracking. These scanners are able to pick up |
| two thousand channel scanner. However, in a | | | | frequencies and channels being used within the |
| larger town, or for listening in cities that one may | | | | trunk. This feature is not available on all scanners |
| travel to more channels will be needed. Some | | | | and if it is an option that is desired, a person will |
| scanners have an alpha numeric display that | | | | want to check to be sure that trunk tracking is |
| shows the channel, transmitter, and frequency on | | | | included in the scanner. |
| a screen. This can be very helpful if a person is | | | | Talking to a professional who has expertise in the |
| listening to several different frequencies on a | | | | different types of scanners available will be very |
| regular basis. | | | | helpful. This individual will be able to explain in detail |
| There are many types of search modes available | | | | the different options and features of any |
| on scanners. Most scanners come with a | | | | handheld radio scanner that is being considered. |
| pre-programmed service scan that has | | | | |