News

Police scanner radio with blue LED display on dark background, symbolizing Loudoun County encryption transition

Loudoun County Police Encryption Rollout: Alert...

Loudoun County police encryption goes live across 4 agencies. A local audit finds Alert Loudoun failed 22 of 27 major incidents this year. Stay informed with a pre-programmed scanner.

Loudoun County Police Encryption Rollout: Alert...

Loudoun County police encryption goes live across 4 agencies. A local audit finds Alert Loudoun failed 22 of 27 major incidents this year. Stay informed with a pre-programmed scanner.

Police scanner radio with encrypted signal theme, representing Michigan agencies going dark to scanners

Michigan Police Encryption Wave: MSP & Oakland ...

Michigan State Police and Oakland County are fully encrypted — the biggest metro market yet to go dark. See who's next and what you can still hear in 2026.

Michigan Police Encryption Wave: MSP & Oakland ...

Michigan State Police and Oakland County are fully encrypted — the biggest metro market yet to go dark. See who's next and what you can still hear in 2026.

Digital police scanner radio displaying a P25 frequency, representing Ohio's MARCS statewide trunked system

Lorain County Radio Goes Digital on Ohio's MARC...

Lorain County, Ohio police radio is now fully on the statewide MARCS P25 trunked system. See what changed and how to keep listening in 2026. Shop scanners now.

Lorain County Radio Goes Digital on Ohio's MARC...

Lorain County, Ohio police radio is now fully on the statewide MARCS P25 trunked system. See what changed and how to keep listening in 2026. Shop scanners now.

Police scanner with Washington DC skyline at night

Fairfax County Police Encrypt Dispatch: DC Scan...

Fairfax County and Fairfax City police encrypted dispatch on July 13, 2026, silencing one of the largest scanner-listening markets in the U.S. See what channels remain open.

Fairfax County Police Encrypt Dispatch: DC Scan...

Fairfax County and Fairfax City police encrypted dispatch on July 13, 2026, silencing one of the largest scanner-listening markets in the U.S. See what channels remain open.

Police radio with transparency audit documents

Loudoun County Encryption: Transparency Gap Exp...

A Loudoun Now audit reveals 22 of 27 violent incidents went undisclosed after police encryption rollout. Learn what DC-area listeners can still hear and how to stay informed.

Loudoun County Encryption: Transparency Gap Exp...

A Loudoun Now audit reveals 22 of 27 violent incidents went undisclosed after police encryption rollout. Learn what DC-area listeners can still hear and how to stay informed.

Introducing the PoliceRadio.org Field Guide Lib...

We turned everything we know about scanners, frequencies, encryption, ham radio, and off-grid communications into a library of digital field guides. Here's what's in it, who each guide is for,...

Introducing the PoliceRadio.org Field Guide Lib...

We turned everything we know about scanners, frequencies, encryption, ham radio, and off-grid communications into a library of digital field guides. Here's what's in it, who each guide is for,...

Police scanner radio glowing at night

CJIS 2027 Deadline: Why Police Radios Are Going...

The FBI's CJIS Security Policy — compliance deadline October 1, 2027 — is accelerating police radio encryption. What it means for listeners, and what stays in the clear.

CJIS 2027 Deadline: Why Police Radios Are Going...

The FBI's CJIS Security Policy — compliance deadline October 1, 2027 — is accelerating police radio encryption. What it means for listeners, and what stays in the clear.

Police scanner with encryption lock concept

Police Radio Encryption Deadline: What You Can ...

A federal directive pushes police radio encryption by October 26, 2026. Here's what it means for scanner listeners, what stays in the clear, and how to check your county.

Police Radio Encryption Deadline: What You Can ...

A federal directive pushes police radio encryption by October 26, 2026. Here's what it means for scanner listeners, what stays in the clear, and how to check your county.

Police scanner with digital waves and padlock

Police Scanner Encryption Explained: What You C...

Police encryption is the single biggest thing that decides whether a scanner is worth buying where you live. Here's what encryption actually is, how to tell if your county has...

Police Scanner Encryption Explained: What You C...

Police encryption is the single biggest thing that decides whether a scanner is worth buying where you live. Here's what encryption actually is, how to tell if your county has...

Hands adjusting a radio antenna

Police Scanner Not Picking Anything Up? 9 Fixes...

Dead silence on your scanner is almost never a broken radio. Here are the nine real causes, in the order worth checking — from squelch settings to the one problem...

Police Scanner Not Picking Anything Up? 9 Fixes...

Dead silence on your scanner is almost never a broken radio. Here are the nine real causes, in the order worth checking — from squelch settings to the one problem...

Why You Need a Custom-Programmed Police Scanner (And How It Gives You an Edge)

Why You Need a Custom-Programmed Police Scanner...

Without programming expertise, a stock police scanner can feel overwhelming, leaving you with a device that doesn’t work as expected. That’s where a custom-programmed scanner comes in.

Why You Need a Custom-Programmed Police Scanner...

Without programming expertise, a stock police scanner can feel overwhelming, leaving you with a device that doesn’t work as expected. That’s where a custom-programmed scanner comes in.

How to Find Local Police Scanner Frequencies (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Find Local Police Scanner Frequencies (S...

Learn how to tune into live police radio with this quick guide! Discover local scanner frequencies, top resources, and programming tips—all in one place.

How to Find Local Police Scanner Frequencies (S...

Learn how to tune into live police radio with this quick guide! Discover local scanner frequencies, top resources, and programming tips—all in one place.

Cracking the Code: How to Understand Police Scanner Codes in the U.S.

Cracking the Code: How to Understand Police Sca...

Ever wondered what those fast-talking police dispatches actually mean? If you’ve ever tuned in to a police scanner and felt like you were listening to a secret agent’s encrypted message,...

Cracking the Code: How to Understand Police Sca...

Ever wondered what those fast-talking police dispatches actually mean? If you’ve ever tuned in to a police scanner and felt like you were listening to a secret agent’s encrypted message,...

How Police Scanners Can Be Your Lifeline During Natural Disasters

How Police Scanners Can Be Your Lifeline During...

When disaster strikes, staying informed can make the difference between safety and peril. Police scanners have long been trusted as essential tools for real-time updates, and their value becomes even...

How Police Scanners Can Be Your Lifeline During...

When disaster strikes, staying informed can make the difference between safety and peril. Police scanners have long been trusted as essential tools for real-time updates, and their value becomes even...

Weirder911Calls: The craziest, funniest, and most bizarre police calls from around the country.

Weirder911Calls: The craziest, funniest, and mo...

If you thought that the 911 operator was just for emergencies, think again! These operators deal with all sorts of crazy calls, from people reporting their socks caught on fire...

Weirder911Calls: The craziest, funniest, and mo...

If you thought that the 911 operator was just for emergencies, think again! These operators deal with all sorts of crazy calls, from people reporting their socks caught on fire...

5 Reasons Why You Should Own A Police Scanner

5 Reasons Why You Should Own A Police Scanner

You need to buy a Police Scanner, here's why: In today's world, it's more important than ever to be aware of your surroundings and know what's going on in your...

5 Reasons Why You Should Own A Police Scanner

You need to buy a Police Scanner, here's why: In today's world, it's more important than ever to be aware of your surroundings and know what's going on in your...

Shop Pre-Programmed Police Scanners

Short answer: every scanner here ships programmed to your zip code. We load the local police, fire, EMS and weather frequencies by hand before it leaves us, so there is no cable, no software and nothing to set up, and listening needs no FCC license.

Programmed by hand

Your zip code specifically — not a generic regional preset.

Free US shipping

Included on every order, anywhere in the United States.

No license needed

Listening requires no FCC license and no radio experience.

We check first

Check your zip code free and see what's actually receivable there.

Which one is right for you?

Buying your first scanner? The UV-5R. Proven, affordable, and does everything most people need.
Want it pocket-sized? The UV-5R Mini. Same core capability, USB-C charging.
Want the widest coverage? The K5 Plus. Adds airband and 1.25M reception, bigger battery.

Before you order, let us check your area

Most US counties still run analog on at least some public safety channels. A growing number have moved to encrypted or digital P25 systems that no analog scanner can receive — at any price.

Check your zip code and we'll tell you honestly what's receivable where you live. We'd rather turn down a sale than ship you a radio that can't hear your county.

New to this? Read What Can You Hear on a Police Scanner? or the Ultimate Scanner Guide.

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