SCANNING: Encryption — now what?

Is it the end for your scanner when local law enforcement starts encrypting?

Summary of this article: Don’t be quick to toss out your scanner when local public safety starts encrypting. Read the ideas in this article to help you monitor other types of radio users to help fill in the information gap when you feel like you are left in the dark. You might be surprised at the information you can gain from listening to other agencies and businesses.

We hear it time and again. Your local police or sheriff starts using encryption and you’re quick to throw up your arms and complain that there is nothing to listen to anymore. How many times each month or week do you see these posts by others on social media?

One day you’re scanning your local police frequencies or trunked talkgroups and the next day all you hear is that infamous digital buzz saw sound coming across your scanner. It’s easy to feel defeated and figure your scanning days are over. No longer will you hear police responding to accident calls, burglary reports or requests to escort a local business owner to the bank for a cash deposit. Many people figure their days as a scanner listener are now over and they only have these options:

Don’t throw out your scanner if your local public safety agencies start using encryption! Discover new things to monitor that actually might help you keep a pulse on what is going on in your community. Read below for the details. | AI image created for National Communications Magazine