Frequently Asked Questions about Handheld Scanners
What is a handheld scanner?
A handheld scanner is a portable radio receiver that allows you to listen to communications on various frequencies. These scanners are usually battery-powered or rechargeable, making them ideal for use on the go.
With a handheld scanner, you can listen to communications on VHF, UHF, PMR446, and airband frequencies, among others. This allows you to listen to aviation communications, maritime communications, or amateur radio operators, for example.
What can you listen to with a handheld scanner?
With a handheld scanner, you can listen to communications between different radio devices. For example:
- Aviation communications (airband)
- Marine radio and water traffic
- Radio amateurs
- Event communication
- Taxi companies
- Railway communication
- Security companies
- Coastguard and rescue services
The exact frequencies you can receive depend on the frequency range of the scanner.
Can you listen to police and emergency services with a scanner?
No, police, fire, and ambulance communications can no longer be intercepted with scanners. These services use the C2000 communications network, which is digital and encrypted.
Which scanner do you need for plane spotting?
For plane spotting, you need a scanner that can receive aviation frequencies between approximately 118 and 137 MHz. The scanner must also have AM modulation, as aviation communications are broadcast in AM.
Many handheld scanners support these frequencies, making them ideal for plane spotters.
What is the difference between a handheld scanner and a basic scanner?
A handheld scanner is portable and battery-powered. This makes it easy to take with you to different locations.
A basic scanner is larger and is usually used at home with an external power supply and a fixed antenna. These scanners often have more memory and extensive scanning capabilities.
Handheld scanner: portable listening to communications
A handheld scanner is a portable radio receiver that allows you to listen to communications on various frequencies. These scanners are widely used by hobbyists, plane spotters, and radio enthusiasts interested in radio communication.
Because a handheld scanner is compact and battery-powered, you can easily take it anywhere. This makes them ideal for plane spotting at airports, events, or other locations where radio communication takes place.
With a portable scanner, you can listen to communications between different radio devices, also called transceivers. This could include communications between air traffic control and pilots, maritime communications, or communications at events.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a handheld scanner?
When you're considering buying a handheld scanner, it's wise to first determine what you'll be using it for. Therefore, ask yourself a few questions before choosing a scanner:
- Do you want a portable scanner for on the go or a basic scanner for home use?
- Which frequencies do you want to be able to listen to?
- What is your budget?
Important: The wider the frequency range of a scanner, the more communications you can receive.
Analog and digital scanners
There are two main types of scanners: analog scanners and digital scanners.
Analog scanners
Analog scanners receive analog radio communications. Using a keypad, you can manually enter frequencies and store them in the scanner's memory.
Much communication in smaller towns, rural areas and hobby use still uses analogue radio signals.
Digital scanners
Digital scanners have a longer reception range and often better sound quality. They can receive digital and trunked communications in addition to analog.
Digital scanners are generally more sophisticated and therefore more expensive than analog scanners. However, some digital networks are encrypted, making this communication impossible to intercept.
Handheld scanners for plane spotting
Many people use a handheld scanner for plane spotting. To receive aircraft communications, the scanner must support aircraft frequencies between approximately 0 and 400 MHz.
Do you also want to listen to military aircraft? Then the scanner must have an AM function, because aviation communications use AM modulation.
Scanners with a frequency range up to about 500 MHz are more than sufficient for most plane spotters.
Channels, Memory and Alpha Tagging
Scanners vary greatly in the number of available channels. Some scanners have several hundred channels, while advanced models can store thousands of frequencies.
A useful feature is Alpha Tagging. This allows you to add a name to a frequency or channel, for example:
- Schiphol Tower
- Airband Approach
- Marine radio harbor
This means you don't have to remember frequencies and you can see directly on the display which communications you are receiving.
Antennas for handheld scanners
The standard antenna supplied with a scanner is often reasonable, but not always optimal for maximum reception.
Many users therefore opt for a better antenna, such as:
- Rubberduck antenna for general use
- Telescopic antenna for better reception
- External antennas for home use
A good antenna can make the difference between mediocre and excellent reception.
How does using a scanner work?
Using a scanner is relatively simple. After entering and saving a frequency, you can let the scanner scan through all the stored frequencies.
When communication occurs on a frequency, the scanner automatically pauses so you can follow the conversation. Then, the scanner automatically resumes scanning.
Many scanners also have features such as:
- Manual – frequency fix
- Lock Out (L/O) – skipping disturbing frequencies
- Squelch – Set reception sensitivity
- Key Lock – Lock buttons
- Backlight – display lighting
These features allow you to easily customize the scanner to your listening preferences.
Buy handheld scanner
Are you looking to buy a handheld scanner to listen to communications while on the go or for use in plane spotting? Then it's important to choose a scanner with the right frequency range, sufficient memory channels, and a good antenna.
In this collection you will find various portable scanners, from simple entry-level models to extensive scanners for the avid radio hobbyist.
