Scanner on the cheap?
April 2, 2017 Fortunately, yes it’s pretty possible. While it may not have all the “secret” frequencies of local police that you have on your full-size scanner that cost you hundreds of dollars new, scanner apps for your smartphone can deliver amazing results - either free for tempter versions or for about $3 for the unlimited version.
Trying a couple different apps here in Burlington, N.C. found major differences between different scanner apps. Briefly, 5-0 Scanner Police Radio is far and away the best; its audio is great - unlike others I tried - and sounds as good as the Bearcat full-size one in the next room.
You may have to use listed scanners other than those specifically designated for your city or county - as here, where some local police departments actually are dispatched on the radio system of a neighboring county. Your results will depend on volunteers sending the feed from their full-size scanners.
Downside? Scanner apps eat battery charge fast if the channels scanned are active. A photojournalist in NYC says he keeps his turned off except when something’s going on - to save the battery.
But it’s a lot less expensive than the cigarette-pack-size handheld scanners Icom sells - even used - and about $100 less than Bearcat’s cheapest handheld scanners.
Smartphone with 5-0 Scanner Police Radio installed.
Smaller than any scanner - and $100 or more less expensive.