Is there any software that can turn SDRs into "Police Scanners" (2024)

Is there any software out there that can turn an SDR, or a couple of them into a "scanner", I know about SDR trunk, but I am talking about software where you can put in a list of frequencies that are not trunked, and have it scan threw them. Would be nice if it could handle DMR

Thanks In Advance for any help
Shane

If you use SDR#, you can get the Frequency Scanner plugin to do that. Combine with another plugin called Simple DMR. Details: SDR# - SDR# Plug-in: Frequency Scanner updated

ka3aaa said:

if you want a true police scanner just buy one rather than trying to make an sdr into something it isn't and wasn't designed to be. its a software defined radio that requires a computer to make work and happens to scan verses a true scanner that can sit on a shelf with nothing more than a power cord and an antenna attached to it.

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I disagree and agree with noamlivne.
I have a SDS200. But I prefer using an AirSpy R2 with SDSPlus Fastlane. Works at least as well an have other advantages (and is far less in cost if you alread have a PC_.

Spflowers92470 said:

Is there any software out there that can turn an SDR, or a couple of them into a "scanner", I know about SDR trunk, but I am talking about software where you can put in a list of frequencies that are not trunked, and have it scan threw them. Would be nice if it could handle DMR

Thanks In Advance for any help
Shane

See Also

RTL-SDR, Police Scanners, and You5 best police scanner apps for Android

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The challenge is that most "police" channels these days are actually just talkgroups on trunked systems, so you need to monitor the trunking rather than just skipping between a bunch of conventional frequencies. First identify the agencies you want to monitor, then investigate whether they are encrypted or not, after that you can figure out what frequencies and/or trunked systems are involved, and finally some appropriate hardware/software to perform the task.

Spflowers92470 said:

Is there any software out there that can turn an SDR, or a couple of them into a "scanner", I know about SDR trunk, but I am talking about software where you can put in a list of frequencies that are not trunked, and have it scan threw them. Would be nice if it could handle DMR

Thanks In Advance for any help
Shane

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You can get DSDPlus Fastline, it cost $10. You can listening to P25 Phase 1 and 2 (Conventional and Trunking), NXDN, Analog and DMR. You can scan through frequencies

Spflowers92470 said:

Is there any software out there that can turn an SDR, or a couple of them into a "scanner", I know about SDR trunk, but I am talking about software where you can put in a list of frequencies that are not trunked, and have it scan threw them. Would be nice if it could handle DMR

Click to expand...

For conventional freqs, the Sdr# with plug in route will work. There is even a simple Apco P25 plug in for Sdr#. Sdrtrunk, depending on some variables could work.

I use DSDPlus Fastlane with a scanlist for conventional freqs. In the scanlist, I listen to analog (am / fm), Dmr and P25 and it does very well and use only one dongle.

How many freqs are you looking to scan?

ToddWilkinson said:

Using SDR to Build a Trunk Tracker - Police, Fire, and EMS Scanner - Black Hills Information Security

Ray Felch // Introduction Recently, I came across an interesting article on using software-defined radio (SDR) to create a Police, Fire, EMS, and Public Safety systems scanner. Viewing a few of these Trunk […]

www.blackhillsinfosec.com

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Spflowers92470 said:

I am talking about software where you can put in a list of frequencies that are not trunked,

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ka3aaa said:

if you want a true police scanner just buy one rather than trying to make an sdr into something it isn't and wasn't designed to be. its a software defined radio that requires a computer to make work and happens to scan verses a true scanner that can sit on a shelf with nothing more than a power cord and an antenna attached to it.

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Thanks, but I cant afford 700 bucks for a SDS 200, I live in a simulcast area, and SDR Trunk works great for that. I am basically trying to find something to scan DMR chs on the cheap. Believe me, if I had the extra $700 (actually $800) the SDS 200 and the DMR upgrade would already be mine.

dave3825 said:

For conventional freqs, the Sdr# with plug in route will work. There is even a simple Apco P25 plug in for Sdr#. Sdrtrunk, depending on some variables could work.

I use DSDPlus Fastlane with a scanlist for conventional freqs. In the scanlist, I listen to analog (am / fm), Dmr and P25 and it does very well and use only one dongle.

How many freqs are you looking to scan?

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Well the local casino, they use DMR radio's, the city snow plows, they also use DMR, maybe 25 to 30 freqs

dave3825 said:

For conventional freqs, the Sdr# with plug in route will work. There is even a simple Apco P25 plug in for Sdr#. Sdrtrunk, depending on some variables could work.

I use DSDPlus Fastlane with a scanlist for conventional freqs. In the scanlist, I listen to analog (am / fm), Dmr and P25 and it does very well and use only one dongle.

How many freqs are you looking to scan?

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I have looked at DSD plus, that looked complicated, that might be above my pc skill level lol

ka3aaa said:

if you want a true police scanner just buy one rather than trying to make an sdr into something it isn't and wasn't designed to be. its a software defined radio that requires a computer to make work and happens to scan verses a true scanner that can sit on a shelf with nothing more than a power cord and an antenna attached to it.

Click to expand...

In my opinion, an sdr with the right software has more advantages over a true police scanner. Scanner can only monitor 1 channel / talk group at a time. Sdr with the right software can monitor multiple systems and talk groups simultaneously. And with trunking recorder handling playback that to can be customized to play what ever you want to listen to. I have many scanners and an sds200 but it's so nice to have sdr running and recording everything 24/7. For people on a budget, it's a great alternative with the added features.

Spflowers92470 said:

I have looked at DSD plus, that looked complicated, that might be above my pc skill level lol

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It's really not difficult after the initial learning curve. Basically just populating a text file with the freqs of interest and let it scan. When one of the freqs becomes active, it will either pass analog audio to your speakers or if digital, it will decode that and pass that thru the speakers.

boatbod said:

The challenge is that most "police" channels these days are actually just talkgroups on trunked systems, so you need to monitor the trunking rather than just skipping between a bunch of conventional frequencies. First identify the agencies you want to monitor, then investigate whether they are encrypted or not, after that you can figure out what frequencies and/or trunked systems are involved, and finally some appropriate hardware/software to perform the task.

Click to expand...

I have the Police covered, I have a whistler 1065, but have simulcast issues with it, and I use SDR trunk. I am trying to listen to the local casino, and local snow plows, they use DMR. But thanks for the info

dave3825 said:

In my opinion, an sdr with the right software has more advantages over a true police scanner. Scanner can only monitor 1 channel / talk group at a time. Sdr with the right software can monitor multiple systems and talk groups simultaneously. And with trunking recorder handling playback that to can be customized to play what ever you want to listen to. I have many scanners and an sds200 but it's so nice to have sdr running and recording everything 24/7. For people on a budget, it's a great alternative with the added features.

It's really not difficult after the initial learning curve. Basically just populating a text file with the freqs of interest and let it scan. When one of the freqs becomes active, it will either pass analog audio to your speakers or if digital, it will decode that and pass that thru the speakers.

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Well it has been awhile since I looked at it, will have to check youtube out and see if they have any how to videos, thanks for the info

I have not watched it yet but this guy has dsdplus running with a scanlist set up.

Vista said:

I've been trying to figure out the same thing, I would like to listen to multiple closely grouped nbfm frequencies, but having trouble with the json setup for multi_rx in OP25. It works well using two dongles, on two nbfm channels, but would like to be able to monitor or scan multiple frequencies, similar to how you can list multiple control channels for P25.

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Sorry, multi_rx doesn't scan between defined channels.
If the frequencies are close you can define multiple channels to use a single dongle, but it demodulates each defined channel simultaneously.