Introduction
In a world where information about real-time communication and public security is more important than ever, police scanners have become a popular tool, not only for emergency services but also for hobbies, journalists, and curious citizens. While Radiosac was once a GO-TO brand for radio scanning hardware, many users today look for digital options that can be used on individual computers. Fortunately, there are many free police software options for police scanners available to PC users who originally work with RadiosHC scanners and other compatible devices.
In this article, we will discover everything needed to learn about using free police scanner software with our PC, especially if you have a radio -hek device. We will cover benefits, top software options, how to put them, compatibility problems and even legal and moral views.
What Is a Police Scanner?
A police scanner, also known as a radio scanner, is a device that receives radio signals across various frequencies. These devices allow users to listen in on public service broadcasts such as:
- Police communications
- Fire departments
- EMS (Emergency Medical Services)
- Weather services (NOAA)
- Public utilities
- Amateur radio (ham radio)
Police scanners can be either hardware-based (like those made by RadioShack) or software-based, where your PC acts as the receiver and decoder when used with the right tools.
The Legacy of RadioShack Scanners
Once in consumer electronics, a leader, Radiosac, developed several types of scanners over the decades, including handheld, base, and mobile devices. Popular models include PRO-106, Pro-19,7 and Pro-651. These devices were known to them
- Ease of use
- High sensitivity
- Wide frequency coverage
- Compatibility with trunking systems
Even though RadioShack has largely disappeared from the retail landscape, their scanners are still used widely and are supported by modern software solutions.
Why Use Software Instead of Traditional Hardware?
While hardware scanners provide portability and simplicity, software-based solutions offer far more flexibility and advanced facilities, for example
- Digital audio decoding
- Logging and recording capabilities
- Advanced filtering and squelch options
- Real-time frequency tracking
- Cost savings, especially when using free software
Most importantly, software scanners can often work with or without dedicated hardware, using tools like SDR (Software Defined Radio) USB dongles, which emulate radio signals through software.
Key Features to Look for in Free Police Scanner Software
When choosing free software for your PC that works with a RadioShack scanner or SDR device, you should prioritize features like:
- Device Compatibility: Make sure the software supports the scanner or SDR machine product you are using.
- Frequency range support: Some scanners only support analog, while others can decode digital formats such as P25, DMR or NXDN.
- Recording and playback: Useful for storing journalists’ or emergency calls.
- Trunky Support: If your local services use a luggage space radio system, the software will have to support it.
- User interface: forms an intuitive UI setup and is easy, especially for beginners.
- Community and updates: Look for software that has an active user base and regular update.
Now, let’s dive into the top free software available that meets these criteria.
Read More: Why is Niles Ohio Police Still on Analog Radios ?
Top Free Police Scanner Software for PC
1. SDR# (SDRSharp)
Overview:
SDR# is one of the most popular and powerful free SDR software packages. Originally designed for use with RTL-SDR USB-Dongle, it supports a wide range of radio programs that include radio shack scanners with the correct noise or line-in-configuration.
Features:
- Easy plugin system for added functionality
- Frequency range visualization
- AM/FM/NFM/WFM/DSB/USB decoding
- Ability to listen to unencrypted analog police frequencies
- Plugin support for trunking and digital decoding
Compatibility:
- Works with RTL-SDR, HackRF, Airspy
- Can interface with RadioShack scanners via audio output and line-in configurations
- Windows-based
Pros:
- Very lightweight and fast
- Highly customizable
- Large user community and plugin ecosystem
Cons:
- No built-in digital voice decoding (requires third-party tools like DSD+)
- Steep learning curve for beginners
2. DSD+ (Digital Speech Decoder Plus)
Overview:
DSD+ is a specialized software used for decoding digital voice transmissions, such as P25 Phase I, DMR, NXDN, and other formats commonly used by police and public safety agencies.
Features:
- Supports a wide range of digital voice formats
- Real-time decoding with minimal latency
- Works alongside SDR# or other signal processing software
Compatibility:
- Requires SDR# or other SDR software to provide audio input
- Works best on Windows
- Can be used with RadioShack scanners if audio output is routed to the PC
Pros:
- Powerful digital decoding capabilities
- Lightweight and efficient
- Continually updated by developers
Cons:
- No GUI (command-line interface only)
- Requires configuration and setup knowledge
3. Trunk88
Overview:
Trunk88 is a trunking control channel monitor for trunked radio systems. While not a scanner on its own, it provides valuable real-time system data and is a great companion for traditional hardware scanners like those from RadioShack.
Features:
- Monitors Motorola trunked systems
- Provides talk group ID (TGID) tracking
- Visual activity logs
Compatibility:
- Works with a scanner’s discriminator tap or audio output
- Windows platform
Pros:
- Detailed trunking info
- Excellent for monitoring talkgroup activity
- Free and lightweight
Cons:
- Limited to Motorola Type II trunking
- Requires additional setup
4. UniTrunker
Overview:
UniTrunker is a well-known application among radio hobbyists for tracking trunked radio systems. It can decode and display control channel data from various trunking formats, including EDACS, Motorola, and P25 systems. This software is often used alongside physical scanners or SDR devices.
Features:
- Real-time trunked system monitoring
- Visual talkgroup and radio ID tracking
- Logging of transmissions and user IDs
- Supports multiple receivers and voice following
- Allows custom labeling of known IDs and groups
Compatibility:
- Can be paired with SDR dongles (like RTL-SDR) or legacy scanners from RadioShack using a discriminator tap
- Primarily designed for Windows
Pros:
- Detailed trunking insights
- Compatible with multiple digital formats
- Community-developed and frequently updated
Cons:
- Complex to set up initially
- Voice decoding requires pairing with DSD+ or another decoder
5. Radioreference.com + ScannerCast
Overview:
While not scanner software in the traditional sense, RadioReference.com is a massive database of scanner frequencies and trunked system information. Paired with ScannerCast, a small broadcasting tool, users can stream live scanner audio from a RadioShack scanner connected to their PC. It’s perfect for those who want to broadcast or access live feeds through the Internet.
Features:
- Access to an updated national frequency database
- Ability to stream scanner audio online
- Option to monitor local systems without an SDR
Compatibility:
- Requires a physical scanner with audio-out (e.g., RadioShack PRO series)
- Works on Windows systems
Pros:
- Great for community-based scanning
- Centralized access to frequency data
- Good for sharing or recording local feeds
Cons:
- Not a standalone scanning tool
- No decoding features—only audio streaming
How to Connect Your RadioShack Scanner to PC
Even if you’re not using SDR dongles, your RadioShack scanner can be integrated with PC software. Here’s a general step-by-step guide:
Required Items:
- A compatible RadioShack scanner (with headphone or line-out jack)
- A 3.5mm audio cable (male-to-male)
- A PC or laptop with a microphone/line-in port
- Audio routing software (optional but useful — e.g., VB-Cable or Virtual Audio Cable)
- Scanner software such as DSD+, UniTrunker, or SDR#
Setup Process:
- Connect the Scanner to PC:
Plug one end of the audio cable into your scanner’s headphone or line-out jack and the other into your PC’s microphone or line-in port. - Adjust Scanner Volume:
Set your scanner volume to a moderate level. Too high or low can distort the audio and affect decoding. - Configure Input Settings:
In your PC’s audio settings, set the input device correctly and ensure it’s active. - Run Your Software:
Launch the scanner software and ensure it’s receiving audio. If using DSD+, it should begin decoding digital voice transmissions almost immediately. - Monitor and Log:
Use additional tools to log talkgroups, frequencies, and radio IDs for future reference.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
While police scanner software is legal in many parts of the world, there are some important legal and ethical rules to follow:
1. Know Your Local Laws:
In many U.S. states, it’s legal to listen to unencrypted police and emergency frequencies. However, transmitting on these frequencies or interfering with signals is illegal. Also, using a scanner while committing a crime or in a vehicle may be against the law in some jurisdictions.
2. Encrypted Communications Are Off-Limits:
If your local agencies use encrypted radio communications, you are not allowed to decrypt or access them—and most consumer-grade software and hardware cannot anyway.
3. Use Responsibly:
Always use scanning tools ethically. Sharing sensitive or personal emergency information in real-time, especially during unfolding events, could put people at risk or hinder emergency responses.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some common problems you may face and their solutions:
| Issue | Solution |
| No audio or decoding | Check cable connections, input settings, and scanner volume |
| Poor audio quality | Use a line-out port instead of a headphone jack; reduce volume; use noise filtering |
| DSD+ not decoding | Ensure you’re feeding the correct type of signal (digital voice); use raw audio or discriminator tap |
| Software not detecting SDR | Reinstall drivers (Zadig for RTL-SDR), or check USB ports |
| Trunking not working | Ensure you’re monitoring the correct control channel; use UniTrunker alongside SDR# |
Future of Scanner Software
As radio communication systems evolve, more agencies are adopting digital and encrypted formats. However, scanner enthusiasts continue to innovate through open-source and community-supported tools. Expect future software to include:
- Better decoding for complex digital formats
- Improved SDR support
- AI-assisted signal recognition
- Cloud integration for logging and streaming
- Cross-platform support (macOS/Linux)
For now, Windows remains the most compatible platform for most free police scanner software.
Conclusion
The world of police scanners has transformed dramatically, moving from bulky hardware to sleek, software-powered systems on modern PCs. For those with a RadioShack scanner, there are several powerful and free software solutions that can breathe new life into your device. Whether you’re monitoring your local emergency services, studying radio wave behavior, or simply enjoying the hobby, these tools offer flexibility, depth, and community support.
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