If the feed don’t automatically play, click or touch the play icon below
For someone who’s never used a police scanner before, the question that needs to be addressed is, how do you use it? The idea of tuning in on police, fire and other emergency active calls in Pinellas might seem rather complicated, but it’s actually very easy. If you follow these instructions you can listen to feeds not just in Pinellas but anywhere in the US.
Choosing a Scanner
The first thing you need to do is to choose which type of scanner you want to use. There are three options: the handheld portable devices, the large desktop or home scanners and web-based scanners. Handheld and home scanners are the traditional devices that hobbyists have been using for years, while web based and mobile scanners are fairly new.
How to Listen to an Online Scanner
Here are the steps to enable you to listen to an online scanner:
- Start by looking for a website that offers police feeds for Pinellas County, and this really shouldn’t be too hard as there are several sites available such as http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/367.
- Once you get to the site either the live feed will begin transmitting or you’ll be given a series of options to choose from. For instance you might see links for Pinellas County Sherriff, Pinellas County Fire, EMS and so on.
- Just click the one you want to tune in to and you’ll be able to listen to active calls in Pinellas County. The same method is used with mobile apps, because after you download and install the program, you’ll be provided with all the available options.
How to Use a Handheld Scanner
Here’s how to do it:
- You should start by reading the manual, because no matter how familiar you are with these devices, some products have unique features you should be aware of.
- Next, get the police frequencies for Pinellas County and other frequencies that you intend to listen to. Aside from police, scanners let you tune in on paramedics, state patrol, county sheriff and more.
- Now you input the channel numbers in your scanner, following the instructions in your user guide. Press the “scan” button and you’ll get the live feed. This procedure doesn’t just work for police feeds but others as well including fire, paramedics and so on. Some of the newer scanners also have an auto scanning feature and can find new frequencies automatically.
If you’re not sure which scanner to use, it’s best to start with online live streaming since they’re free and widely accessible. In terms of quality they’re pretty good although customization options are limited if you’re getting a basic service.
Now if you find yourself looking for more options and flexibility, consider buying a scanner so you can listen to active police calls in Pinellas County. If you’re a new user, an advanced scanner is not necessary to listen in to Pinellas radio chatter, but if it’s features you’re after, a handheld scanner will be worth a look.
