is there any way to pick up a local police station on a normal radio?

7gh0st7 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 07:27 AM

Electronics really arent my specialty either, so I was just wondering if there was a way to do this with a normal radio, or are there other fun things to do with normal radios (boost the signals, etc.,)

Random · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7gh0st7

Electronics really arent my specialty either, so I was just wondering if there was a way to do this with a normal radio, or are there other fun things to do with normal radios (boost the signals, etc.,)

I'm going to assume that by "normal radio" you mean the thing you receive music from radio stations on.

You won't be boosting any sort of signal with that sort of radio - it's a receiver, not a transmitter.

As for picking up police frequencies, I don't expect that you could do this with a normal radio, though it isn't impossible. The big problem you'll face is that many police jurisdictions use digital scramblers, as do other emergency services in some jurisdictions. The end result? You could potentially receive and listen to police frequencies, but it would come across as something indecipherable.

If you search Google for "police scanner" or something similar, you'll find a number of vendors selling appliances that you can listen in on police communications with. If you are looking to create something or adapt something to suit your needs though, I suggest you look into one of those kits that teach you about electronics - they're available from Radio Shack, and all of their derivatives, and their competitors (depending on where you are). The electronics of radio are normally towards the end of those kits, but it is important to know everything beforehand.

7gh0st7 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 09:06 AM

Yeah, I have a police scanner as well, I was just wondering if it was possible, I've been studying electronics a bit lately. and the part about boosting the signal, I meant that as boost the range of the reciever. like, picking up radio stations that are farther away.

Random · #4 (**permalink**) 06-22-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7gh0st7

Yeah, I have a police scanner as well, I was just wondering if it was possible, I've been studying electronics a bit lately. and the part about boosting the signal, I meant that as boost the range of the reciever. like, picking up radio stations that are farther away.

I suppose you could try to get an audio amplifier circuit and use that - but that will only boost the volume of signals that you're already receiving. You could be receiving a distant signal which is so weak that you can't hear anything, and that's when an amplifier will help. But if you're not receiving the signal, an amplifier won't help at all.

I haven't done anything at all with electronics in a couple of years, so I wouldn't be much help on the specific details. There are thousands of forums online that are dedicated to this sort of thing though, so look around if you can't get your answers here.

obertojerky · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 05:24 AM

you need what is called a shortwave radio. Eton cooperation has very good one, for a price. now a police scanner is a different story. you can find those [if its legal in your state] at your local circut city, best buy, or radioshack. and same goes fro shortwave radios. shortwave radios are cool, because you can actually find websites with repored frequencys fro gov't agencies, [CIA, FBI, AF1, AF2, Special Forces, army, coast guard ect.] however they do use a scrambler so it might be hard to find a decent conversation. BUT, thay are also good for hacking cordless phones. overall, tehy are fun to play around with.

squat251 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 01:32 AM

ummm, a short wave radio to boost the signal on a regular one? why would you even post that when he didnt ask it, yes its valuable info, HOWEVER no he does not need that AT ALL and it was dumb to tell him so. you can boost the signal on a regular store bought radio IF 1. it does NOT have a expandable/collapsable metal antenna, and 2. its not a clock radio, these have to much stuff other than a radio, that will mess with the alterations. Active FM Antenna Amplifier by C2570 - Radio Frequency i reccomend going there, its got a nice diagram, and if you are confused with the parts list, GOOGLE IT! lol seriously you can buy all of that at radioshak (ive done it, and it does work quite well.)

whoops, you can do it to the one with the metal antenna, however you will need to take the radio apart and unscrew the antenna from the wire (should have a wire connecting to the antenna) and connect the amp to that on one end, and the metal antenna on the other side. sorry for that

Machine Head · #7 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 08:37 PM

I can sometimes pick up police radio on a simple walkie-talkie (out of the box), just by using its scan function- it scrolls through every channel, of which it has quite a few, and finds any signals. I have only picked up about 1 minute of signal but i dotn live that close to the police station so if i got closer it would be very effective.