331 episodes

Welcome to Scanner School, a podcast dedicated to the Scanner Radio Hobby.

Each week we cover another topic related to scanning and will be answering all of your questions to take you from Scanner Radio Student to Scanner Radio Scholar.

Scanner School - Everything you wanted to know about the Scanner Radio Hobby Phil Lichtenberger

    • Technology
    • 4.8 โ€ข 132 Ratings

Welcome to Scanner School, a podcast dedicated to the Scanner Radio Hobby.

Each week we cover another topic related to scanning and will be answering all of your questions to take you from Scanner Radio Student to Scanner Radio Scholar.

    331 - SRU109: FDMA and TDMA for beginners

    331 - SRU109: FDMA and TDMA for beginners

    Digital modes, like P25, NXDN, DMR and others will use FDMA, TDMA, or both allow multiple transmissions to share a single frequency at the same time.
    FDMA or Frequency Division Multiple Access divides a current carrier frequency into multiple parts, allowing for multiple users to operate on the same time on the same frequency.
    TDMA or Time Division Multiple Access divides a current transmission over time, allowing for 2 or more users to share a the same frequency at the same time, depending on the digital protocol that is used.
    The ability for these digital transmissions to place multiple users on the same frequency allows for better management of the limited radio spectrum resource.
    Not only does this allow for more frequencies to be distributed, but allows for end licenses to do more with a single radio license.
    Learn the differences between FDMA and TDMA in this week's podcast.
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ›’ย  Check out our new Merch!
    ====================================
    Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!
    Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
    Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ™ Join our new Scanner Radio Community
    ====================================
    Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!
    By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!
    Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/discord
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ“ Check out our online courses
    ====================================
    Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.
    Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.courses.scannerschool.com
    ====================================
    โš ๏ธ I want to answer your questions
    ====================================
    I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.
    If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:
    ๐Ÿ“ž 516-308-2885
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/ask
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ† Thank you Patreon Supporters
    ====================================
    Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.
    Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.
    Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.
    Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.
    ๐Ÿ”— Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽฅ Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel
    ====================================
    2024 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube
    ====================================
    โžก๏ธ Follow Scanner School on Social Media
    ====================================
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok
    ====================================
    All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session331

    • 14 min
    330 - SRU108: FM and NFM - Bandwidth is King

    330 - SRU108: FM and NFM - Bandwidth is King

    Do you program your scanner with FM or FM Narrowband? ๐Ÿค”
    Find out why the right choice matters in our latest Scanner Radio University episode.
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ›’ย  Check out our new Merch!
    ====================================
    Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!
    Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
    Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ™ Join our new Scanner Radio Community
    ====================================
    Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!
    By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!
    Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/discord
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ“ Check out our online courses
    ====================================
    Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.
    Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.courses.scannerschool.com
    ====================================
    โš ๏ธ I want to answer your questions
    ====================================
    I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.
    If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:
    ๐Ÿ“ž 516-308-2885
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/ask
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ† Thank you Patreon Supporters
    ====================================
    Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.
    Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.
    Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.
    Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.
    ๐Ÿ”— Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽฅ Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel
    ====================================
    2024 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube
    ====================================
    โžก๏ธ Follow Scanner School on Social Media
    ====================================
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok
    ====================================
    All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session330
    ย 
    #podcast
    ย 

    • 15 min
    329 - SRU107: Simulcast - How to Stop the Pain

    329 - SRU107: Simulcast - How to Stop the Pain

    Imagine knowing that your scanner radio has a full signal, but you can't hear anything.
    Maybe you're listening to a p25 trunk system,ย  but you can't listen to any of the activity.ย 
    You can see your scanner is trying to go to a voice channel. It's trying to work. ย  But you hear nothing.ย 
    How frustrating does this sound?
    For many, this is a common occurrence when they try to listen to a P25 Simulcast site on their scanner radios.
    Letโ€™s figure out why this is happening and some simple solutions you can try to overcome simulcast.
    ย 
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ›’ย  Check out our new Merch!
    ====================================
    Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!
    Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
    Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ™ Join our new Scanner Radio Community
    ====================================
    Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!
    By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!
    Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/discord
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ“ Check out our online courses
    ====================================
    Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.
    Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.courses.scannerschool.com
    ====================================
    โš ๏ธ I want to answer your questions
    ====================================
    I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.
    If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:
    ๐Ÿ“ž 516-308-2885
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/ask
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ† Thank you Patreon Supporters
    ====================================
    Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.
    ย 
    Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.
    Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.
    Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.
    ๐Ÿ”— Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽฅ Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel
    ====================================
    2024 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube
    ====================================
    โžก๏ธ Follow Scanner School on Social Media
    ====================================
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok
    ====================================
    All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session329
    #podcast

    • 16 min
    328 - Ask Scanner School v67

    328 - Ask Scanner School v67

    Every month I answer your questions on the podcast.
    If you have a question you would like me to answer, please leave me a voicemail at 516-308-2885 or by visiting www.scannerschool.com/ask
    This month, we are pulling questions that were asked via Facebook Messenger.
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ How do I log P25 Radio IDs?
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Where can I find a manual for a Uniden BC950XLT?
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ How can I fix a battery door on a SDS100 that will not close?
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Where can I find a list of Radio IDs for a Trunk system?
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ›’ย  Check out our new Merch!
    ====================================
    Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!
    Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
    Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.
    ย 
    ๐Ÿ”— https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ™ Join our new Scanner Radio Community
    ====================================
    Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!
    By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!
    Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to others in chat.
    ย 
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/discord
    ย 
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ“ Check out our online courses
    ====================================
    Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.
    Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.
    ย 
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.courses.scannerschool.com
    ย 
    ====================================
    โš ๏ธ I want to answer your questions
    ====================================
    I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.
    If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:
    ๐Ÿ“ž 516-308-2885
    ย 
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/ask
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ† Thank you Patreon Supporters
    ====================================
    Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.
    Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.
    Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.
    Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.
    ย 
    ๐Ÿ”— Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon
    ย 
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽฅ Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel
    ====================================
    2024 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel
    ย 
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube
    ย 
    ====================================
    โžก๏ธ Follow Scanner School on Social Media
    ====================================
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok
    ย 
    ====================================
    All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session328
    ย 
    #podcast
    ย 

    • 22 min
    327 - SRU106: Rebanding - How Nextel complicated the scanner hobby

    327 - SRU106: Rebanding - How Nextel complicated the scanner hobby

    The Nextel Conundrum:
    Originally established as a convenient communication solution for small businesses, Nextel swiftly expanded its services to include cellular telephony.ย 
    ย 
    However, the positioning of Nextel within the RF spectrum, sandwiched besides public safety frequencies, combined with its network built for capacity, led to unprecedented challenges.ย 
    ย 
    The dense clustering of Nextel sites interfered with public safety radios, prompting the necessity for rebanding.
    Rebanding entailed a complex realignment of frequencies to mitigate interference issues. This intricate shuffle involved relocating Nextel closer to cellular carriers while carving out exclusive bands for public safety entities. This relocation of the 800Mhz public safety spectrum, known as rebanding, posed a significant problem for scanner enthusiasts who monitored many Motorola trunking systems in the 800Mhz band.
    ย 
    The impact of rebanding reverberated through the scanner radio community, rendering many radios obsolete overnight.ย 
    ย 
    Today, we still need to be aware of systems that are operating in the rebanded spectrum and ensure our radios are programmed correctly to monitor these systems.
    ย 
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ›’ย  Check out our new Merch!
    ====================================
    Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!
    Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
    Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ™ Join our new Scanner Radio Community
    ====================================
    Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!
    By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!
    Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/discord
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ“ Check out our online courses
    ====================================
    Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.
    Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.courses.scannerschool.com
    ====================================
    โš ๏ธ I want to answer your questions
    ====================================
    I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.
    If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:
    ๐Ÿ“ž 516-308-2885
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/ask
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ† Thank you Patreon Supporters
    ====================================
    Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.
    Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.
    Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.
    Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.
    ๐Ÿ”— Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽฅ Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel
    ====================================
    2024 is the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube
    ====================================
    โžก๏ธ Follow Scanner School on Social Media
    ====================================
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok
    ====================================
    ย 
    All session notes

    • 15 min
    326 - Analog and Digital Trunked Systems

    326 - Analog and Digital Trunked Systems

    Once upon a time, we only had analog trunked radio systems. ย ย These systems all had analog voice talk groups.
    These systems included Motorola Type I, Motorola Type IIi, Motorola Type II, EDACS, and LTR systems.
    Today, we are living in a digital trunked environment, where there are no analog voice channels. ย All voice is done using a form of digital modulation. ย ย These systems include P25, DMR, and NXDN.
    But, we had an in between. ย This is where we had digital talk groups on an analog trunked system. ย On a Motorola Type II system, we could find P25 talk groups. ย On EDACS systems, we'd find ProVoice talk groups.
    This podcast will discuss analog and digital systems, and explain why our older P25 scanners like a Uniden BC785D will not work on today's P25 Trunked systems.
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ›’ย  Check out our new Merch!
    ====================================
    Squelchy opened his own store selling Scanner School merchandise!
    Show your love for the Scanner Radio Hobby and Scanner School.
    Pick up a hat, shirt, bag, or mug and help support Scanner School.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://scannerschool.myspreadshop.com/
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ™ Join our new Scanner Radio Community
    ====================================
    Join our FREE Discord server and connect with other Scanner Radio Users!
    By using Discord, a free, multi-platform community portal, you can now be part of the Scanner Radio Discussion!
    Chat real time, share photos, ask questions, and give feedback to other's in chat.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/discord
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽ“ Check out our online courses
    ====================================
    Our free Software Defined Radio course will have you up and running with a SDR in a weekend.
    Upgrade to our Advanced Course, and learn how to setup SDR Software like a pro.
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.courses.scannerschool.com
    ====================================
    โš ๏ธ I want to answer your questions
    ====================================
    I am always looking to answer your scanner radio question.
    If you have a question you'd like answered, please leave me a voicemail with your question:
    ๐Ÿ“ž 516-308-2885
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/ask
    ====================================
    ๐Ÿ† Thank you Patreon Supporters
    ====================================
    Thank you to all monthly Patreon Supporters.
    Supporting the podcast can be done for as little as $1 per month.
    Supporters at the $3 and $5 level will receive the podcast without the middle commercial break.
    Supporters at the $5 level not only receive the podcast early, but they also get access to discount codes, monthly zoom meetings, and Squelchy sticker packs.
    ๐Ÿ”— Join our Patreon program at https://www.scannerschool.com/patreon
    ====================================
    ๐ŸŽฅ Subscribe to our growing YouTube Channel
    ====================================
    2024 will be the year of Video for Scanner School Be ready for the upcoming videos by subscribing now to our YouTube channel
    ๐Ÿ”— https://www.scannerschool.com/youtube
    ====================================
    โžก๏ธ Follow Scanner School on Social Media
    ====================================
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Twitter - https://www.scannerschool.com/twitter
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Page - https://www.scannerschool.com/facebook
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Facebook Community - https://www.scannerschool.com/faceboo...
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ Instagram - https://www.scannerschool.com/instagram
    โ–ถ๏ธŽ TikTok - https://www.scannerschool.com/tiktok
    ====================================
    All session notes with links to the items we talked about can be found on our website at https://www.scannerschool.com/session326
    #podcast

    • 11 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
132 Ratings

132 Ratings

Radiocat37 ,

Excellent

Phil has about the best podcast for the radio scanner enthusiast. I highly recommend him on here and YouTube. Thanks Phil for all of your great content.

13Jim69 ,

A wealth of knowledge

As a newbie in the world of scanning I began listening to this podcast starting at episode one, each episode teaching a new topic in a fun and detailed way. You will learn something even if you have been scanning for years.

KD5LJK ,

Excellent podcast and more for scanner radios fans

This podcast channel and all the associated resources Phil has put together through his scanner school website and related social media sites are superb and fill a need that many of us scanner enthusiasts maybe didnโ€™t even realize existed!. Though Iโ€™ve been a licensed ham for many years, after listening to just a few of these podcasts, Iโ€™ve already learned details about the hobby that have eluded me for a long time Philโ€™s down to earth style is excellent and welcoming to all regardless of skill level. Iโ€™m looking forward to catching up on two plus years worth of podcasts as well as taking his SDR course. Thanks Phil!

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