1) Most stuff is/has gone digital and encryptedscan125 wrote: ↑07 May 2021, 20:55 As an aside departure .......
When it comes to scanning then we are generally in the VHF+ UHF domains. This means LOCAL. So why purchase 1000s, 10,000s frequencies for the likes of Pam's Taxis in Manchester when you live on the South Coast.
In todays climate we can break this down more succinctly.
1) Most stuff is/has gone digital and encrypted
2) Stuff free to air/hear is mainly "local" small enterprises, PMR, CB, etc.
3) In the 2) above of more general interest will be Air Band, Marine and CB
4) In 3) all the frequencies air published and free
Personally I would not now advocate purchase/subscription to "frequency lists/services"
Now that said I have an interesting and puzzling view on US States Side.
The US guys have far more liberal / permitted listening laws when police, fire, ..... do not seem to be illegal.
The site Radio Reference (radioreference.com) have a large community and host an online database for subscribed members. It would appear to be well supported and viable but I suspect the viability is based on their (US) more relaxed laws and the large national consumer base.
Why am I posting this slightly more detailed info .... ?
Well as some will know I'm the author of Scan125, Scan75 and DriveR8 and other stuff.
I'm also a Radio Reference member and have been asked to support the Radio Reference database import function in my programs. My early attempts failed due to incompatibilities but the development efforts also primed me to think about "value". Value of my time and effort but value to end users. We then have to subdivide end users. UK, US, EU, ......
So taking all things into account I surmised that frequency subscription, purchase, etc. on base value is not really worth it.
THAT SAID I do believe that the professional businesses (as opposed to the likes of JImmyxyz) do have some value.
With that in mind then WRTH have my approval but they are not scanning merchants but world wide public "broadcast" documenters which is a totally different game.
2) Stuff free to air/hear is mainly "local" small enterprises, PMR, CB, etc.
3) In the 2) above of more general interest will be Air Band, Marine and CB
4) In 3) all the frequencies air published and free
Exactly not to mention that scanning lists are always 2 to 3 decades old now.