My husband called me as he was leaving to go snowmachining and saw a large number of police heading up the mountain to the road behind us. EMS parked at the bottom of the mountain.
Tried finding a police scanner app to see if I could hear anything, but apps are crap.
I texted another neighbor who’s retired firefighter, but they didn’t have a scanner either.
Their son is current firefighter and gave us an update - gunshot inside a residence.
But this makes me realize that even though we have been looking at getting a scanner for a while, we haven’t been looking diligently.
Hoping someone here can recommend a solid unit?
You may hear routine cop communications but the really interesting stuff (drug raids, undercover ops, ert.) are usually on private, secure tactical channels and are also usually encrypted. I doubt you could tune in to those.
They also get communication over their notebook computers attached to their cars dash.
Here is an interesting read for those interested https://auto.howstuffworks.com/police-car3.htm
Thanks.
Wow, super informative! Thank goodness I’ve never had to see the inside of one in person 😅
Thanks - that’s kinda what I thought. So probably not worth investing in?
Well, I didn't say that, you might be able to learn a lot from the routine comms traffic. The gun fired call you mentioned might have been on the routine channels, but the police are well aware of scanners and treat their tactical info -- investigations, raids, SWAT teams, and such -- with encrypted secret channels.
Yes, there is SWAT on site and neighbor with current firefighter son said they were sending the robot in. Wow - on our sleepy little mountain!
I think I’ll investigate our PD and see if they have info on their “robot”. Wonder if it is the new dog type one?
Most of the cop-robots I've seen are on two treads (skid-steer type) mounted with cameras and a 12-gauge shotgun, and a speaker to communicate, if possible, with victims and/or perpetrators. The type you describe (the so-called "dogs" that walk on four limbs, are still in trials AND they are vulnerable to anyone with a rifle, as there are critical points where they can be rendered inoperable... a rifle round to the point where any of the limbs attach to the body (actuators, and there are 4 of them) and the central processing unit, which is located almost dead center of the body. A round (or two or three) can disable these things, especially green-tip armor piercing rounds.
Interesting info - thanks Banjoman! But a 12 gauge? Wouldn’t that blow the robot backwards, even if on skids?
The things weigh several hundred pounds, so the "recoil" would be negligible for the robot. I just wish my old, damaged shoulder could stand that recoil as much as the robot can.
Dang - understand that.
Well thanks for sending me down the police robot rabbit hole! So interesting, and frankly, a little un-nerving 😳
https://www.wired.com/2016/07/11-police-robots-patrolling-around-world/
So here is an update since the news has been reporting on it.
“The department also said officers were using a “variety of tactics and tools,” including the use of drones.”
Drones and their use in public vs combat, are another rabbit hole to go down.
Brave new world.
App called 5-0 radio for iPhone or iPad is what I have.
I use an app called Scanner Radio. Version I have is 6.13.7.1 written by Gordon Edwards. I have an Android but likely available for iPhone if that's what you have.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scannerradio
When I was active in Gen. Aviation I used Uniden - was really good andcovered any cat. of channel - but that was a long time ago.
However Uniden still is a fave (state versions apply)
https://bearcatwarehouse.com/collections/uniden-police-scanners
I'm re-upping mine, for fire/LE/EMS... in the mean time I use broadcastify - the guy who runs it knows about scanners..
I also have taken a moment to pray - for the people in the residence, no matter the situation, and for the officers and medics who deal with this every day. I am sincerely thankful for those who put themselves out in the wild.
They all use encrypted signals now. Cellular not radio waves.
Been thinking of same thing - thanks for the reminder. I have a app on phone but what happens when no service
Will say that this situation did give me an opportunity to put my belly band on, triple check my CC and be prepared if someone is on the loose.
Time to get back on the range and practice. It’s been a year :-/
rtl-sdr is super cheap but you'll need a computer or phone to run it. Will drain your phone battery fast.
If you get a scanner, look for the "close call" feature. That quickly finds the frequency of nearby transmitters. Most new scanners should have that.
Most important: Research what type of system is used in your area. It might be the difference between needing a $600 scanner and a $100 one.