What is a scanner?
A scanner (also known as a police scanner), is simply a radio that picks up public broadcasts usually via VHF and UHF frequencies, but does not transmit - meaning you can listen to public radio frequencies with it, but you cannot talk to anyone with it.  A CB (Citizens band) radio is similar in a way because it will let you listen to certain frequencies and transmit (or talk) as well, but a scanner and a CB radio uses different frequencies.  A CB Radio would be actually considered closer to a HAM Radio (since they can both receive and broadcast) - but still, very different due the the freqs they receive and transmit to as well as the reception area.

What broadcasts does a scanner pickup?
Depending on the model and the frequency bands the actual scanner  recieves, a scanner will usually pick up radio broadcasts from police, fire, ambulance, paramedics, public utility workers, city workers, tow trucks, taxis, weather reports, airports, businesses, coast guard, lifeguards, prisons, military bases, special events, and mostly any other broadcast using a two-way radio.

What are freqs?
Freqs are a slang term used by hobbiests for the word frequencies.

What do I do with a freq?
If you have a newer (most do) radio, then you would simply key-in the frequency that relates to the broadcaster you want to listen to. Very old scanners used to use crystals - which had to be purchasd separately for each frequency that you wanted to monitor.

How do I find freqs for my area?
You can look on this page for some freqs as well as for links to other sites that have listings of freqs.  You can also purchase books that have numerous freqs listed by area.  Or you can simply keep scanning on your own for new freqs and then share them with others as we are doing here.

What is HAM Radio?
This question is probably best explained here. Note that scanner listeners are very different from HAM Operators in that Ham Operators can transmit and listen worldwide, whereas scanner listeners can only listen to and are limited to the frequencies and broadcast range that they can receive (meaning scanner listeners need to be close to the action - or have a very large antenna).  The reception area of a scanner is really low range.  A CB radio has a larger range, but a HAM radio has worldwide range depending on many factors.  It all comes down to wattage and the antenna.

Can I hear scanner broadcasts on a CB Radio?
Easy answer is no.  Simply because a CB Radio only receives a certain amount of channels (freqs).

Can A Scanner listener hear CB Radio broadcasts?
Easy answer is yes.  Beacuse a scanner is only limited to the number of channels it can listen to at once as well as the range of frequencies it can receive and the size of the antenna.

Can a HAM Radio Operator hear CB Radio Broadcasts?
Easy answer is yes.  A HAM Radio Operator can listen to almost any broadcast from almost anywhere (once again, that depends on the receiver and the size of the antenna as well as the area the listener has this equipment located in.

Which hobby is the cheapest way to start out?
Easy answer is a Scanner.  You can pick up many for less than $100 new as well as used and they can be easily found at retailers, yard sales, and eBay.  You do not need a license to listen and they generally hold their prices when re-selling the equipment.  CB Radio is very limited and you can only talk to other "CB'ers" - HAM Radio has more options, but also reuires much more eqipment as well as licensing to operate.

Is there a way to hear some broadcasts that a scanner can actually receive without before buying one?
Absolutely!  Simply find a friend or a neighbor who already owns one and ask them to let you listen and play with it with them (most owners are proud to share their knowledge and show off their toys) - OR - simply find another hobbyiest who is broadcasting a live feed via the Internet and listen in for a bit!  Keep in mind that you should check the Internet and friends for freqs in your area as some areas have better coverage thean others.  A stop at a local Radio Shack can always be interesting.