Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to hear this?
Basically any device, Windows, Macintosh, iOS or Android, Linux etc. with a streaming mp3 audio program such as iTunes or built-in streaming on mobile browsers can hear this. It is approx a 30kbps stream, requiring very little data.

Why is it down!?
If the feed is down, my (free) dynamic DNS isn't working, my internet is down, or I have no power at home. Outages should be pretty rare.

What equipment are you using?
I currently have a BCT15x scanning with audio inputted into a small box running a shoutcast server. FreeScan remote control allows me to control the scanner from any location remotely. RadioFeed allows me to pull the Alpha Tag off the scanner and put it as the Song Name in the stream, which shows up in iTunes.

That's a lot of frequencies! Is it busy?
This is Red Bluff, California. It can take 20 frequencies here to equal the same amount of radio traffic as one dispatch channel for San Francisco PD. And it's STILL quiet at times! When it's normally scanning, with a little listening you should be able to tell who is who. A trick with fire traffic is listen to the unit numbers and dispatch names.

What if there's a major incident?
The scanner is normally scanning all the dispatch, command, fire air and ground tacticals in the area, with priority on TGU and SHU local nets. With the BCT15x dynamic memory, I have systems preprogrammed for major incidents in Shasta, Tehama, nearby Forests, Red Bluff City, etc. Upon notice of a major incident, I can simply remote in from my phone, activate one of those systems, and the scanner immediately shifts focus to that particular major incident, putting priority on command nets, etcs. I am quite excited how this is setup and really sets this online scanner above the rest.

Where's the law?
Because I'm a fire radio nut, during fire season I rarely monitor law enforcement. You won't find a law enforcement frequency plugged in during fire season unless it's directly tied to a major incident. During the winter I have law enforcement frequencies and various other freqs such as Fish and Game, Parks and Rec, and Caltrans. During major storms, you may hear more with road departments etc.

Why not have Radio Reference host your scanner?
I do not agree with what RR stands for, what they have done to the live scanning community, and do not agree with their rules and limitations I would have to abide by should they host my live scanner.

Why do a lot of transmissions pause every 2 seconds?
I have some channels on priority (checks the channel every 2 seconds for transmissions). TGU is always on priority 1 since it is my local Unit, SHU is typically #2 and I may put the common air attack freq as Pri-3. However during a major incident, priorities are programmed according to the incident.

Why 60 users? Any more?
60 is more than enough for day-to-day scanning enthusiasts, and during major incidents I'll average around 30. Very rarely have I peaked to 60 except for really hot local incidents. If I get donations to help pay for my bandwidth and hosting, the number of streaming users will go up also.