Yes, you can buy a police scanner, but what you hear depends on what type of scanner you get and where you live

Police scanners are legal to own and use in all 50 states. You can buy them online, at electronics retailers, and at some big-box stores. The catch is that not all radio traffic is equally straightforward to receive. Many police departments have switched to encrypted digital systems that a standard scanner cannot decode. Some states also restrict what you can do with a scanner — for instance, using one in a car while committing a crime is illegal in several states, and a few states limit mobile scanner use in general.

The price and capability of your scanner matter a lot. A basic handheld scanner costs $100 to $300 and picks up unencrypted local police, fire, and emergency frequencies. A more advanced model with digital decoding runs $400 to $800 and can receive encrypted traffic in some areas — but only if your state and local agencies permit it. Software-defined radio (SDR) devices, which use your computer to receive and decode signals, cost $20 to $100 for the hardware alone but require more technical setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Police scanners are legal to own in all 50 states, but many police departments now use encrypted systems that standard scanners cannot receive.
  • A basic handheld scanner costs $100 to $300 and receives unencrypted local emergency frequencies; digital models cost more but decode encrypted traffic where permitted.
  • Before buying, check whether your local police department uses encryption and whether your state allows mobile scanner use in vehicles.
  • Online communities and local scanner groups can tell you which frequencies are active and unencrypted in your area.

Where to buy a police scanner

The most common retailers are Amazon, eBay, and specialist electronics sites like Radioddity and Uniden's official store. Uniden and Baofeng are the two dominant brands for consumer scanners. Best Buy carries some handheld models in stock, though selection is often limited. Local ham radio shops, if you have one nearby, can let you handle a scanner before you buy and answer questions about local frequencies.

When shopping online, read the product description carefully. Sellers often list which frequencies a scanner receives — VHF, UHF, or both — and whether it has digital decoding. Check the return policy, because if your local police use encryption, you may find the scanner useless for your area and want to send it back.

Unencrypted versus encrypted: what you can actually hear

An unencrypted frequency is one any scanner can pick up. Most fire departments, many smaller police departments, and all emergency dispatch centers still use unencrypted radio. If your local police switched to encryption, you will hear the dispatcher send a call, but you will not hear the officers respond — just silence or digital noise.

An encrypted frequency requires a scanner with digital decoding capability and, in many cases, a decryption key. Some states and cities allow the public to own decryption keys; others do not. California, for example, permits it. New York does not. Before you buy a digital scanner, contact your local police department's public information office and ask whether encrypted traffic decryption is permitted in your jurisdiction. If the answer is no, a digital scanner will not help you.

You can find out whether your police department uses encryption by visiting online scanner communities like RadioReference.com or by calling the department directly. Many departments list their frequencies and encryption status on their websites.

Types of scanners and what they cost

A handheld scanner is the most straightforward option. Models like the Uniden BC125AT or Baofeng UV-5R cost $100 to $200, fit in your pocket, and receive VHF and UHF frequencies. They run on batteries and are portable. The downside is limited memory — they store fewer frequencies than larger models — and smaller antennas mean weaker reception in some areas.

A desktop or base station scanner costs $200 to $600 and sits in your home or office. It has a larger antenna, better reception, and more memory. Models like the Uniden HomePatrol or Whistler TRX-1 can search for active frequencies automatically and often include digital decoding. These are better if you want to monitor a wide area or listen for extended periods.

A mobile scanner mounts in your car and costs $150 to $400. It has good reception and battery life but requires installation. Check your state's laws before buying — some states restrict mobile scanner use while driving.

Software-defined radio (SDR) is the cheapest entry point. A basic RTL-SDR dongle costs $20 to $40, plugs into your computer's USB port, and can receive many frequencies. You will need to install free software like GQRX or CubicSDR and learn to use it. SDR has the steepest learning curve but the lowest cost and most flexibility for advanced users.

Legal restrictions by state and situation

Owning a scanner is legal everywhere, but using one has limits. In California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and a few other states, using a scanner in a vehicle while committing a crime is a felony. This rule exists to prevent criminals from monitoring police radio during a crime. straightforward owning a mobile scanner is not illegal, but the context matters.

A smaller number of states restrict mobile scanner use more broadly. Check your state's laws before mounting a scanner in your car. Your state attorney general's office or a local ham radio club can tell you what is permitted.

Decryption is another legal gray area. Some states allow you to own and use decryption keys for encrypted police frequencies; others do not. This varies by state and sometimes by agency within a state. Contact your local police department's public information office to ask whether decryption is permitted in your area.

How to find active frequencies in your area

RadioReference.com is the largest database of scanner frequencies in North America. Search by city or county, and you will see a list of all known frequencies, which agency uses each one, and whether it is encrypted. The site is maintained by volunteers and is usually accurate, but frequencies do change.

Local scanner groups on Facebook and Reddit (like r/amateurradio) can tell you which frequencies are active right now and which ones are encrypted. These communities are helpful for troubleshooting reception problems and learning about local changes.

Your scanner's manual will explain how to program frequencies. Most modern scanners let you enter frequencies by hand or import them from a file. Some scanners can search for active frequencies automatically, though this is slower and drains the battery faster.

What to expect when you first turn it on

If your local police use unencrypted frequencies, you will hear dispatch calls, traffic stops, and emergency responses. If they use encryption, you will hear the dispatcher send a call, then silence or static while officers respond on an encrypted channel you cannot hear. This is normal and does not mean your scanner is broken.

Fire and EMS frequencies are almost always unencrypted, so you will hear those clearly. Weather radio and public works departments are also usually unencrypted. If you live in a small town, you may hear very little traffic. If you live in a city, you may hear constant activity.

Reception depends on your antenna, your location, and the terrain. A scanner in a basement will receive fewer signals than one on a roof or in a high window. If you are not hearing much, try moving the antenna higher or outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I listen to police scanners online instead of buying one?

Yes. Websites like Broadcastify and RadioGarden stream live police and fire radio from thousands of locations. You can listen free through your web browser or a mobile app. This is a good way to hear what your local frequencies sound like before you buy a scanner. The downside is you depend on someone else's equipment and internet connection.

Will a police scanner work in my car?

Yes, but check your state's laws first. Some states restrict mobile scanner use. If it is legal where you live, a mobile scanner or handheld scanner with a car power adapter will work. Mobile scanners have better antennas and reception than handhelds, but they require installation.

What is the difference between a scanner and a ham radio?

A scanner receives only — you cannot transmit. A ham radio (or amateur radio) lets you both receive and transmit, but you need a license from the FCC to transmit. If you only want to listen, a scanner is simpler and does not require a license.

Can I record what I hear on a police scanner?

Recording is legal in most places, but the rules vary by state and by what you do with the recording. Some states require all parties to consent to recording; others do not. Check your state's recording laws. Even where recording is legal, sharing recordings online can create privacy and legal issues, so most scanner communities discourage it.

Why do I hear so much static and nothing else?

Your scanner may be tuned to a frequency that is not active in your area, or the antenna may be in a poor location. Try moving the antenna higher or to a window. Use RadioReference.com to confirm that the frequency you programmed is actually used by a local agency. If your police department uses encryption, you will hear silence or noise on encrypted channels — this is normal.