10/30/2026
Yes, you can legally listen to your local police and fire on a $40 USB stick, as long as the channel isn't encrypted. 📻🚒
đź”— The SDR I use (RTL-SDR Blog V3 kit, with antennas):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMKB3L47?tag=deantek03-20
đź”— The antenna I upgraded to (Nooelec RaTLSnake):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JWDXMG?tag=deantek03-20
đź”— Another option (Nooelec NESDR Smart bundle):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GDN1T4S?tag=deantek03-20
🆓 Free software: SDRTrunk (github.com/DSheirer/sdrtrunk)
📡 Find your county's frequencies: RadioReference.com
Laws vary by state, and some states restrict scanners in vehicles. This isn't legal advice, so check your local laws.
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