Programming a police scanner means entering the frequencies your local police, fire, and emergency services use into your scanner's memory

Most scanners let you enter frequencies one at a time through a keypad, or load them all at once from a computer using software and a cable. The method depends on your scanner model. You will need the actual frequencies for your area — these are public information published by your local police department, the FCC database, or scanner frequency websites.

The basic steps are the same across most handheld and desktop scanners: find the frequencies you want to monitor, access the scanner's programming mode, enter each frequency into a memory slot, and save. Some newer scanners can read frequency lists automatically, which skips the manual entry step entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Police and fire frequencies are public information available from your local dispatch office, the FCC database, or sites like RadioReference.com.
  • Most scanners use either manual keypad entry or computer software to program frequencies — check your scanner's manual to see which method yours supports.
  • You will need a USB cable or programming cable specific to your scanner model if you want to load frequencies from a computer.
  • Once programmed, you can organize frequencies into groups (called banks or channels) so you hear only the services you want to monitor.

Finding the frequencies for your area

Your local police and fire dispatch frequencies are public record. The fastest way to find them is to call your city or county non-emergency dispatch line and ask directly — they will give you the frequency in seconds. If you prefer to look them up yourself, the FCC maintains a searchable database at fcc.gov/wireless/services/public-safety-and-homeland-security/frequencies, though it can be slow to navigate.

RadioReference.com is the most practical option for most people. Search for your city or county name, and the site lists all active frequencies for police, fire, EMS, and other services in a single page. The information is maintained by scanner users and is usually current within a few weeks of any frequency change. Write down the frequencies you want to monitor before you start programming.

Programming by hand using the keypad

Open your scanner's manual and find the section labeled "Programming" or "Entering Frequencies." The exact steps vary by model, but the pattern is consistent. You will press a button to enter programming mode (often labeled PRG, PROG, or MENU), select an empty memory slot or channel number, and then use the number keypad to type in the frequency.

For example, if your local police frequency is 460.1250 MHz, you would type 4-6-0-1-2-5-0 into the scanner. After you enter the frequency, you press ENTER or SAVE to store it. Repeat this for each frequency you want to monitor. Most scanners let you label each frequency with a short name (like "Police Dispatch" or "Fire Main") so you know what you are listening to when it comes through.

This method takes time if you have many frequencies — entering 20 frequencies by hand can take 30 to 45 minutes — but it works on any scanner and requires no computer or cables.

Programming using computer software and a cable

Newer scanners and many popular models like Uniden and Baofeng units come with programming software that runs on Windows or Mac. You read the software from the manufacturer's website, connect your scanner to your computer with the correct USB or programming cable, and then paste or type your frequencies into the software. The software then uploads everything to your scanner in a few seconds.

The cable is model-specific — a cable for a Baofeng UV-5R will not work on a Uniden scanner. Check your scanner's manual or the manufacturer's website to find the exact cable part number. Once you have the cable and software installed, you can save your frequency list as a file on your computer and reload it onto a new scanner or restore it if you reset your current one.

This method is much faster if you have 50 or more frequencies to enter, and it is less prone to typos. However, it requires buying the correct cable and downloading software, which adds a small upfront cost and setup time.

Organizing frequencies into banks or groups

Once your frequencies are programmed, most scanners let you organize them into banks (also called groups or channels). This means you can tell your scanner to monitor only police frequencies during the day, then switch to fire and EMS frequencies at night, without having to reprogram anything.

To set up a bank, you usually go into the scanner's menu, select "Bank" or "Group," and then choose which memory slots belong to that bank. You can then turn banks on and off with a single button press. This feature is especially useful if you have programmed 100+ frequencies and do not want to hear all of them at once.

What to do if your scanner will not accept a frequency

If you type in a frequency and the scanner rejects it or shows an error, the most common reason is that the frequency is outside the range your scanner can receive. Check your scanner's specifications — most handheld scanners cover 25 MHz to 1300 MHz, but some older models have narrower ranges. If the frequency is within your scanner's range, double-check that you typed it correctly.

Some frequencies also require a specific mode setting — AM, FM, or NFM (narrow FM). Police and fire usually broadcast on FM or NFM, but some older systems use AM. If the frequency still will not program, check the RadioReference entry for that frequency to see if it lists a required mode, and set your scanner to that mode before entering the frequency.

Updating your scanner when frequencies change

Police and fire departments occasionally change frequencies or add new ones. If you notice your scanner is not picking up traffic you used to hear, the frequency may have changed. Check RadioReference.com or call your local dispatch to confirm the new frequency, then reprogram your scanner the same way you did the first time.

If you used computer software to program your scanner, you can edit the frequency list in the software, upload it again, and be done in minutes. If you programmed by hand, you will need to go back into that memory slot and type in the new frequency. This is one reason many people prefer the computer method — updates are faster and easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to own a police scanner?

No. Owning a scanner and listening to police, fire, and emergency frequencies is legal in all 50 states. You do not need a license or permission from the FCC. However, some states prohibit using a scanner in a vehicle while committing a crime, so check your state's laws if you plan to use a mobile scanner in your car.

Can I program frequencies into my scanner if I do not have the manual?

Yes. Search online for "[your scanner model] programming manual" — most manufacturers post PDFs on their websites. If the manual is not available, YouTube often has step-by-step videos for popular scanner models. You can also post your scanner model on a scanner forum like RadioReference or the Uniden forums, and experienced users will walk you through the steps.

What is the difference between FM and NFM?

NFM (narrow FM) is a newer, more efficient mode that uses less bandwidth than standard FM. Most modern police and fire departments use NFM. If you program a frequency as FM when it broadcasts in NFM, you will hear garbled or distorted audio. Check RadioReference to see which mode each frequency uses, and set your scanner to match.

Can I program my scanner remotely or over the internet?

No. You must physically connect your scanner to a computer with a cable, or enter frequencies by hand using the keypad. There is no way to program a scanner wirelessly or from a distance. Some newer scanner apps exist for smartphones, but they receive already-programmed scanner feeds from other users — they do not program your physical scanner.

How many frequencies can I program into my scanner?

Most handheld scanners hold between 100 and 500 memory slots, depending on the model. Desktop scanners often hold 1000 or more. Check your scanner's specifications to see how many frequencies it can store. If you run out of space, you can delete frequencies you no longer need and reprogram the slots with new ones.