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Poll Question:
Do you own/use a scanner? | | Total Votes: | 39 | | 1. Yes, I take it with me when I go out exploring. | 11 | 28.21 % | 
| | 2. Yes, but I leave it at home. | 28 | 71.79 % |
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SnuggleBear
 
Location: South Bay Area, CA [831]
Gender: Male
 |  |  |  |  | Scanner Apps
< on 6/15/2010 7:55 PM >
|  | | | Hey all,
Something I discovered recently, that not a lot of people seem to know.
If you have an Android/iPhone (There is probably a BlackBerry app as well, but I don't know the name.) you NEED to download a scanner app.
I use one for the Android called "Scanner Radio", it's free (Ad Based, but they aren't obnoxious ads and don't get in the way of anything) and it's the most reliable one I have used so far.
You start the app, click on "Scanners Near Me" and it takes you to all the police/fire/medical scanners in your area. You can also set favorites for places you are at a lot, or your home town.
One of the sites that it receives feeds from is www.radioreference.com, which is also an awesome site if you are sitting at home with nothing to listen to, the local Police Scanner is always an interesting feed.
With this app, on days we are bored we sit around and listen and then see if we can beat the cops to their next call, or find the "Suspicious Person" they are looking for before they can.
This app has also saved my ass once. A friend and I were at a school (School is out for the summer here) setting up for a rappel, I'm practicing the face-first australian rappel and free-fall so I needed a low building. So we're at this school on the playground tying anchors and we hear on the scanner our EXACT description (Two white males, about 6' tall, and our clothing description) turns out some hero called the cops and reported us as attempting a robbery. We were on the roof of a low building for a few minutes tying some rope, but still if he had stuck around he would have realized what we were doing. So anyways, we got our stuff and left, I live in a small town and didn't want to have to deal with the cops asking me what I was doing and then probably assuming I was stealing something. *roll eyes*
So in conclusion, this is a FREE app, much better than buying a $100+ scanner, (which is also hard to explain why you are carying around a scanner, a cop can say it's a "Burglary Tool" if he feels like being a jerk) and will alert you that the cops are coming at the SAME TIME that they hear about it!
I'm not at all advocating running from the police or doing anything illegal, but we all know that in this hobby the cops can be quite a buzz kill. Plus, the scanner is actually really interesting!
tl;dr
Download a scanner app, it's free, will impress your friends, and could easily save you hundreds of dollars in fines/time in jail.
EDIT: Shoot I messed up on the poll, there should be two other options,
"Yes, I use a scanner app on my phone already."
"No, I don't use a scanner at all."
Can a mod edit the poll for me? I can't seem to do it. =[
[last edit 6/15/2010 7:57 PM by SnuggleBear - edited 1 times]
. : FMK : .
408/831
Let's meet up. |
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bonnie&clyde
    
Location: 510 & 415
Cleverly disguised as responsible adults
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 1 on 6/16/2010 1:48 AM >
| | | | This thread may interest you
The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?
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awsed
Gender: Female
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 2 on 8/4/2010 3:04 AM >
| | | | I already have the scanner app, but mainly got it for free entertainment while on a 14 hour road trip. But using it while exploring is a great idea, if I can manage not to drop the damn phone while holding my camera and trying to be quiet. 
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DeMiNe0
  
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Gender: Male
DeMiNe0.CoM
| |  |  | | | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 3 on 8/30/2010 2:58 AM >
| | | | The android app, is a good way to make getting charged with the use of a scanner during a crime less likly, but also now adays, police freqs are mostly encrypted, so outside scanners can't listen in. Everything in NYC is encrypted.
HtTp://WwW.DeMiNe0.CoM |
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leatherman
Location: Texas
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 4 on 9/12/2010 6:57 AM >
| | | | nice app
just downloaded to my droid
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RebelDead
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 5 on 6/8/2011 5:12 PM >
| | | | I know this is an older thread but I'm knew to the board so I just wanted to comment. This APP is now a whole $.99. lol I've been experimenting with some others in the meantime. 5-0 Radio and Emergency Radio (Free version) I just sometimes listen during the day at work for some entertainment so I have not "field tested" this yet but I wanted to pass it on.
Closer than you think~ When you dig up the past, you tend to get dirty.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeldead/ |
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iagox86
Location: Seattle, WA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 6 on 6/8/2011 6:21 PM >
| | | | I ask my friend to monitor a scanner back home while I explore, and tell him/her to call me if we come up.
Hasn't saved me yet, but gives me some peace of mind. 
[last edit 6/8/2011 6:22 PM by iagox86 - edited 1 times]
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Fl1k3r
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 7 on 6/8/2011 6:37 PM >
| | | | Posted by DeMiNe0
The android app, is a good way to make getting charged with the use of a scanner during a crime less likly, but also now adays, police freqs are mostly encrypted, so outside scanners can't listen in. Everything in NYC is encrypted.
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i haven't heard of that, the only ones that are obviously encrypted are the federal level stuff, the only ones you can't really listen to are the new band digital level stuff that scanners can't pick up yet until a new one comes out. Wouldn't surprise me if NYC was doing this though, NY tends to be a buzz kill with almost all the fun stuff like this in my experience.
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
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iagox86
Location: Seattle, WA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 8 on 6/9/2011 2:03 PM >
| | | | The best is when somebody back home is monitoring the scanner for you and texts "omg are you still at (xxx)? Get out NOW!!!" to you, followed a minute later by "haha just kidding".
*glares at Yield*
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Fl1k3r
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 9 on 6/9/2011 2:23 PM >
| | | | Posted by iagox86
The best is when somebody back home is monitoring the scanner for you and texts "omg are you still at (xxx)? Get out NOW!!!" to you, followed a minute later by "haha just kidding".
*glares at Yield*
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lol, i'll admit to pulling one of those
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
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Eschaton
Location: Western NC
Gender: Male
Entry: Eschaton (es-kuh-tawn) noun | end of time, climax of history | Etymology: Greek for 'last'
| | | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 10 on 6/9/2011 7:16 PM >
| | | | I use Scanner Radio, but I always forget to turn it on when I'm out.
Ars Gratia Adventuris |
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Vectored Approach
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 11 on 6/10/2011 4:45 AM >
| | | | I have Scanner Radio, but my local area doesn't show up in the list. Of course, anything else remotely interesting you want to get into will have cell signal so low that running the scanner will melt down your battery in about 30 minutes.
Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy. -George Carlin (1937 - 2008) |
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Jonno23
Location: Phoenix, Az, Sector zz9 Plural Z Alpha
Gender: Male
This space for rent
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 12 on 6/12/2011 11:19 AM >
| | | | Posted by iagox86
The best is when somebody back home is monitoring the scanner for you and texts "omg are you still at (xxx)? Get out NOW!!!" to you, followed a minute later by "haha just kidding".
*glares at Yield*
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haha. I think I was in chat that night when we encouraged that type of behavior.
sorry.
Blah Blah Blah. Shut up and open the damn door.
"It's ok Officer, I watch a lot of cop shows on tv, so i am practically one of you guys." - sadly, that didn't work.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonno23/ All my photos suck. |
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Breach
Location: Louisville, KY
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 13 on 6/12/2011 11:42 AM >
| | | | Same as Eschaton.
Louisville PD has switched over to a digital trunked system. Scanner can't pick up the car's radio but it does pick up on the analog walkie-talkie the fuzz carries with them. So it just about useless unless you enjoy listening to half conversations.
And if by chance you do get caught, having the scanner compounds charges. Makes a simple trespass violation into a felony. That's why i don't bother with em.
"I set the bar high, it makes it easier to sneak under." -J.D. Jenkins |
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OhioExploration
Location: Pickerington, Ohio
Gender: Male
Exploring Ohio's Forgotten and Historical Sites
| | | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 14 on 11/21/2011 5:51 PM >
| | | | Be careful about scanner apps too...they can fall under the same laws as having an actual scanner. There was a guy in Louisville who was pulled over and arrested for warrants and he was charged for having a "scanner" in his car, even though it was an app on his phone. I guess it doesn't matter if you're actively listening to it or not either.
Exploring Ohio's Forgotten and Historical Sites
https://www.OhioExploration.com |
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Breach
Location: Louisville, KY
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 15 on 11/27/2011 2:07 PM >
| | | | In that instance, hit the home button on your phone then lock it before they get to your car. They can't search the contents of your phone without probable cause and a warrant. If they hack it, thats a violation of your privacy and a lawsuit. Take it to jury trial and force them to prove they needed to hack your phone for whatever reason. Cops at trial are bound by the same rules we are, that piece of tin on their chest doesn't make them above the law.
"I set the bar high, it makes it easier to sneak under." -J.D. Jenkins |
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OhioExploration
Location: Pickerington, Ohio
Gender: Male
Exploring Ohio's Forgotten and Historical Sites
| | | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 16 on 11/27/2011 8:58 PM >
| | | | Posted by Breach
In that instance, hit the home button on your phone then lock it before they get to your car. They can't search the contents of your phone without probable cause and a warrant. If they hack it, thats a violation of your privacy and a lawsuit. Take it to jury trial and force them to prove they needed to hack your phone for whatever reason. Cops at trial are bound by the same rules we are, that piece of tin on their chest doesn't make them above the law.
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You would think that's the case, but in many states the police can search your phone without needing a warrant. If you refuse to unlock your phone, you could be charged with obstruction or something similar. It is probably best to check your state's laws just to make sure. And for the record, I'm not supporting the warrantless searches or laws against using scanners, I just want to make sure fellow UERs know about them.
Exploring Ohio's Forgotten and Historical Sites
https://www.OhioExploration.com |
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Breach
Location: Louisville, KY
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 17 on 11/27/2011 9:13 PM >
| | | | They can charge you with as many things as they want. But if you drag it into a jury trial, the burden of proof is on them and they look petty for carrying on this far. Most will then drop the charges instead of facing public embarrassment if it turns out to be nothing.
(Thanks Bill Mason for that bit of insight)
"I set the bar high, it makes it easier to sneak under." -J.D. Jenkins |
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Fl1k3r
Gender: Male
| | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 18 on 11/27/2011 11:37 PM >
| | | | Posted by Breach
They can charge you with as many things as they want. But if you drag it into a jury trial, the burden of proof is on them and they look petty for carrying on this far. Most will then drop the charges instead of facing public embarrassment if it turns out to be nothing.
(Thanks Bill Mason for that bit of insight)
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you're placing too much faith in the Sheeple Breach. Jury are easily shanghaied to go either way, hate to break it to you but there are a lot of idiots out there and they don't just select the smart people for the jury.
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
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AnAppleSnail
Location: Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male
ALL the flashlights!
| | | | Re: Scanner Apps
<Reply # 19 on 11/28/2011 12:06 AM >
| | | | Posted by Vectored Approach
I have Scanner Radio, but my local area doesn't show up in the list. Of course, anything else remotely interesting you want to get into will have cell signal so low that running the scanner will melt down your battery in about 30 minutes.
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Climbing down off a roof is about when I tend to want this information. Myself and 3 others timed our climb down correctly due to quick use of a similar function. tl;dr a cop was sitting in a parking lot below us instead of patrolling. Not wanting him to come back while we were partly down the ladder, we waited until he left at the same time as an all-hands-help type call for a wreck, assuming that he'd be crossing town for at least 10 minutes. After having to freeze on the ladder on the way up, our tech/comm guy didn't want the same on the way down.
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