12 best radioshack portable scanners

RadioShack, formerly a popular electronics retail chain, offered a range of portable scanners that were used for various purposes, including monitoring public safety, emergency services, aviation, and other radio transmissions. These scanners allowed users to tune in to different frequencies and listen to real-time audio broadcasts. While RadioShack as a retail chain has undergone significant changes, including bankruptcy and rebranding, here's what we can share about RadioShack portable scanners:

Scanner Types: RadioShack offered a variety of portable scanners, including handheld and desktop models. These scanners were designed to receive analog signals, and some models also supported digital trunking systems, which are commonly used by public safety agencies.
Frequency Coverage: RadioShack scanners typically covered a wide frequency range, allowing users to monitor various types of radio communications. These frequencies included police and fire departments, emergency medical services, amateur radio, aviation, weather reports, and more.
Channels and Banks: Portable scanners often had multiple channels and memory banks to organize and store frequencies. Users could program their favorite frequencies into specific banks for easy access.
Search Modes: Scanners usually featured different search modes, such as "scan" and "search." Scan mode allowed users to scan pre-programmed channels, while search mode enabled them to search for new frequencies manually.
Close Call: Some RadioShack scanners had a "Close Call" feature that could detect and tune in to nearby signals automatically, making it easier to find active transmissions.
Display: Scanners typically had LCD displays that showed information such as the currently monitored frequency, channel, and signal strength.Backlit displays were common for ease of use in low-light conditions.
Programming Software: Some models could be programmed and updated using computer software, simplifying the process of adding or modifying frequencies.
Public Safety Monitoring: RadioShack portable scanners were often used by hobbyists and enthusiasts interested in monitoring public safety agencies, such as police and fire departments, to stay informed about local events and emergencies.
Aircraft Monitoring: Aviation enthusiasts also used these scanners to monitor air traffic control frequencies and communicate with aircraft in the vicinity.
Weather Alerts: Many scanners included the ability to receive National Weather Service alerts and warnings, enhancing their usefulness for staying informed about severe weather conditions.
Trunking Systems: Some advanced RadioShack scanners supported trunking systems, which are used by public safety agencies to efficiently manage their radio communications. These scanners could decode and follow trunked radio systems.

It's important to note that the availability and specific models of RadioShack portable scanners may have changed since my last knowledge update in 2023. Additionally, as the retail landscape and consumer electronics market evolve, alternative brands and models of scanners may be available. Therefore, if you are interested in purchasing a scanner or learning about the latest offerings, it's advisable to check with current electronics retailers or online sources for the most up-to-date information.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best radioshack portable scanners on the market

Radio Shack PRO-652 Digital Triple-Trunking Desktop Radio Scanner by RadioShack

Based on 23 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Digital triple-trunking desktop scanner - trunks all 3 popular system types Object-oriented, menu-driven programming 39,000 object memory - stores up to 1,800 objects in main memory and has 21 V-scanner memory 700MHz digital interface LED and alert sounds can be set to alert you to what object is being heard

Digital triple-trunking desktop scanner - trunks all 3 popular system types
Object-oriented, menu-driven programming
39,000 object memory - stores up to 1,800 objects in main memory and has 21 V-scanner memory
700MHz digital interface

User questions & answers

Question:	this scanner will pick up fire police and ems correct
Answer:	if you know the frequencies of the department you wish to monitor you can program them into the scanner and listen to all their calls
Question:	How well would a 2m:70cm jPole antenna work with this scanner
Answer:	it should work very well. I use a 2m-70cm discone.
Question:	will this scanner pick up the 800 trunking system
Answer:	Yes it will pick up the new 800 mhz system
Question:	Does this scanner also scan antalog
Answer:	yes

RadioShack Portable Analog Tuning AM/FM/Weather Tabletop Radio

RadioShack

Based on 353 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This versatile radio is perfect for everyday use. With its classic design and simple layout, it's excellent for both vacations and emergencies. It’s lightweight and portable, can use either AC power or batteries. Play it in the kitchen, the garage or at the beach. Tunes in AM and FM stations as well as seven weather channels. Contoured handle makes it more comfortable to carry. Hidden AC cord storage compartment helps prevent tangles and clutter which allows for easy travel. For portable use, use 4 "C" batteries (not included)

AM 530-1700 KHz, FM 88-108MHz, WX 162.40-162.55 MHz (7 Weather Channels).
Analog tuning dial.
Powered by included AC cord (110 V) or 4 C batteries (not included).
1/8" Headphone jack included.
Dimensions: 10.0 x 8.2 x 2.5 inches

User questions & answers

Question:	Can you connect an AM Antenna to boost signal
Answer:	I bought a lot of this seal strip, the quality is very good. the adhesive is very strong. Very good price, You can buy it with confidence.
Question:	How is FM reception inside a metal building
Answer:	That’s what I wanted to know. It has 3M on the tape but 3M is listed no where in the product listing. Thought that to be rather strange🤔
Question:	Where is it made
Answer:	I didn't have success on the left side of my front door because I didn't buy the very wide tape strip and the strip folded itself between the door and the door frame when I opened my door - but only on the left side where the hinges are. So, in my opinion, it only works on 3 sides (top, bottom, and right side). I am going to try a different black foam strip with tape backing for the inside between the door and the frame for the left side only.
Question:	Can you please advise what kind of adapter I should buy to be able to use this radio in Europe
Answer:	I installed the sealing strip along the outside of the door, across the bottom. It stays the cold air out. It also slides easily on the floor.

Remanufactured RadioShack PRO-2096 5500-Channel Digital Trunking Scanner

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Box is open. Item is barely used.

1/2 Meter SMA - SO239 Cable

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Connect your scanner or handheld 2-way radio to an external antenna with this cable.

The Teflon jacketed RG-316 cable has a gold-plated female SMA connector on one end and a nickel-plated SO-239 female crimp-type connector on the other.

Parts Warranty: 90 Days

The Teflon jacketed RG-316 cable has a gold-plated female SMA connector on one end and a nickel-plated SO-239 female crimp-type connector on the other.

RadioShack PRO-405 200-Channel Desktop Radio Scanner

Based on 27 reviews Check latest price

Product description

RadioShack PRO-405 Desktop Radio Scanner picks up police and fire frequencies in many areas, as well as aircraft, marine, FM, FRS/GMRS and Ham communications.

200-channel memory that cvan be categorized into 10 separate memory banks
One-touch service search makes it easy to listen to a specific service
SkyWarn; NOAA SAME Weather Alert
Preprogrammed with 153 popular channels; PC Interface for programming
FM Radio

User questions & answers

Question:	what frequencies does this scanner cover
Answer:	The HDMI output supports all the digital signals.
Question:	Can someone tell me how you can lockout an entire bank of frequencies
Answer:	HDMI cables will work regardless of version, just older cables may not be able to transmit video at the same frame rate. But newer version cables will work with older devices. The higher version cable will NOT make an older version hardware perform better.
Question:	is this unit a good one for beginners
Answer:	You need the OREI HDA-925 for your setup: https://www.amazon.com/OREI-60Hz-Audio-Converter-Extractor/dp/B07T6CDPQJ/
Question:	how do you program it. i bought this used with no manual
Answer:	Yes you would be able to connect the optical/SPDIF cable from the switcher to the sound bar. Sources to the switcher Hdmi output 1 to tv Optical to sound bar You may need to turn the audio down/muted on the tv so audio only comes out the sound bar and you don't have you audio doubling

Whistler WS1065 Desktop Digital Scanner,Black

Whistler

Based on 854 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The WS1065 features Object Oriented programming which has often been regarded by users as easy to program and use. Virtual Scanner mode stores 21 various scanner configurations for a total storage capacity of over 38,000 scannable objects. Just as their lower end brother models, this offers a dedicated Skywarn button and Spectrum Sweeper. The WS1065 also ships with a unique in-dash DIN-E installation kit. Subaudible Squelch Decoder

Menu Driven Programming with Context Sensitive Help - Each menu item provides a few lines of help text that provide assistance with programming and using the scanner
Scan List-functionality allows you to arrange, group and scan objects according to your preference. Memory Backup - Frequencies remain stored in memory for an extended time even without batteries.
Free-Form Memory Organization - Allocation of memory dynamically and efficiently as it is needed. This differs from low cost and older scanners that had memory organized in rigid and wasteful memory banks
Skywarn Storm Spotter Function - Instant access to frequencies used by storm spotter networks. Multi-System Trunking. Tune - Find new and unlisted frequencies starting from a specified frequency
Digital AGC - Instantly compensates for low user audio levels that are common on digital systems
Scans most common trunked radio system signaling formats, including Motorola, EDACS, LTR and P25 trunked radio networks. Both talkgroup and individual call monitoring are supported

User questions & answers

Question:	do you have to use a computer? My husband wants a scanner to hear local fire, police,etc reports. Will this one do it
Answer:	The SDS200 unit had better digital reception, more features and better circuitry than that older discontinued model you mention. The SDS200 can also receive Phase 2 digital systems, which the 197 can't do, and with optional firmware update the SDS200 can monitor DMR and ProVoice Digital, which the 197 can't do.
Question:	What are the exact dimensions of this unit? I would like to mount this in my semi truck on my rack with my CB radios that are approximately 7 3/4" w
Answer:	If that is 14218 kilohertz, the answer is no. If the frequency is 142.180 megahertz the answer is yes.
Question:	Is this radio battery operated or can you plug into electricity
Answer:	Yes, a telescoping antenna comes included.
Question:	My metro area uses p25 phase ii for all trunked emergency dispatch. will this scanner be of any use or do i need a different unit
Answer:	Yes! Your scanner’s Replay feature will instantly replay the transmissions you’ve just heard. You can set how long a period Replay records for instant playback. This period can range from 30 seconds to 4 minutes.

Product features

WS1065 -Desktop/Mobile Scanner Radio

The WS1065 stores up to 1,800 frequencies and lets you search for nearby frequency transmissions and automatically jump to a found transmission. Plus, it lets you hear storm reports and more before they are broadcast on TV or radio.

What is Object Oriented Scanning?

Programming scanning receivers can be challenging, but object-oriented programming simplifies the process by using common conventions for scanning concepts that have common characteristics.

RadioShack Pro-163 Desk Top Triple Trunking Scanner

Based on 24 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The PRO-163 triple trunking scanner can be used as a desktop or mobile unit.

Free Shipping on orders over $50

User questions & answers

Question:	I want to know how to find out if my countiy broadcasts analog or digital.Where do I look? Who do I ask? What do I look or ask for
Answer:	Look at radioreference.com. You find any answers to your questions there.
Question:	How many channels it had
Answer:	It says it can store up to a 1000.
Question:	does this pick up the new digital police signals
Answer:	Not sure. Just read the manual and it didn't mention anything about digital.
Question:	do you know if this is a digital or analog scanner
Answer:	This is analog scanner most systems went to what's called a p25 system meaning its digital signal. If your area is not digital yet you can use this scanner works great. go to radioreference.com for more info. you want to look for PL tones only for this scanner .NAC will not work with this scanner. Otherwise spend 500.00 and buy a digital scanner.

Radio Shack Pro 2050 Trunk Tracker 300 Channel VHF/UHF/Air/800MHz Scanner

Check latest price

Product description

Radio shack pro-2050 police fire weather scanner Trunk Tracker 300 Channel VHF/UHF/Air/800MHz tested in working order great shape

User questions & answers

Question:	Is this digital
Answer:	Sorry, they never shipped it. They said not available...

Radio Shack Hazard Alert Weather Radio

RadioShack

Based on 175 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Use this desktop weather radio from RadioShack to stay informed about the weather. It features a large LCD display, 16 levels of alert volume and a built-in alarm clock with snooze. The SAME feature provides weather and other emergency alerts for the areas you program into your unit. Receives all 7 NOAA weather channels PublicAlert Certified, meaning it meets the rigorous standards set by NOAA . Comes preprogrammed with all U.S. states and counties Local area locator feature provides a list of all surrounding counties 16 alert volume levels Separate daytime and nighttime alert volume level settings Large backlit alphanumeric display for easy viewing at night Different color LEDs let you know whether the information is a warning, watch or advisory Alert reminder lets you know if you've missed an incoming transmission Notifies you of warnings and alerts by voice and/or tone as well as text Features a built-in alarm clock.

Digital SAME technoloty for localized warnings
Easy programming by state and county
Auto-scans all NOAA channels
120 hour battery backup
Includes AC adapter

User questions & answers

Question:	Programming instructions
Answer:	Do a google search for "user manual 12-521". There are several sources available. Several are PDF downloads. Some are online views. Programming is very easy and intuitive.
Question:	how to program Alert Radio 12-262 i can not set the clock i can set the time and it beeps but it does not start keeping time is there a set button
Answer:	I don't know. Could not figure it out. My Daughter set it up for me, but personally I feel like it is not a necessity to have.
Question:	Does it come with a power cord
Answer:	Yes it does come with power cord.
Question:	Does it respond to the SAME turn off command and stop audio when the alert is over
Answer:	Yes, it turns itself back off after the alert gets told.

PRO-2014 50-Channel Programmable Home Scanner

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The RadioShack PRO-2014 50-Channel Programmable Home Scanner lets you in on all the action! This scanner gives you direct access to over 22,000 exciting frequencies, including those used by police and fire departments, ambulance services, government agencies, and amateur radio services. The scanner's 10 preset frequency bands let you quickly and easily search predefined ranges of frequencies, so you can hear broadcasts of the same type.

50 Channels - lets you store up to 50 channels of your favorite frequencies
Two Frequency Search Options - you can search upward or downward through the preset frequency bands (band search) or start from a specified frequency (direct search).
Monitor Memory - lets you temporarily save a frequency located during a direct search, so you can decide if you want to move it to a channel.
Two-Second Delay - lets you set the scanner so it delays scanning or searching for 2 seconds before moving to another channel or frequency so you can hear more replies.

PRO-651 Handheld Radio Scanner

Based on 47 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Digital triple-trunking handheld scanner - trunks all 3 popular system types Object-oriented, menu-driven programming 39,000 object memory - stores up to 1,800 objects in main memory and has 21 V-scanner memory 700MHz digital interface Preprogrammed frequencies

Digital triple-trunking handheld scanner - trunks all 3 popular system types
Object-oriented, menu-driven programming
39,000 object memory - stores up to 1,800 objects in main memory and has 21 V-scanner memory
700MHz digital interface

User questions & answers

Question:	is pc programming cable included
Answer:	Yes, this can be used with a network switch to connection additional receivers to it.
Question:	What is the reception range
Answer:	you will need to send audio thru a pre-amp. straight connection from output amp may distort audio signal
Question:	Can you buy it already programed for your city
Answer:	This does support IR.
Question:	this is digital and not analog right
Answer:	No! It's junk and I would not recommend it. I was hoping the same thing. I purchased this for my 4k Television. It says it supports 4k, yet doesn't. It worked for less than a week. Buyer Beware!

Radio Shack 200-Channel Home Scanner PRO-2032

Check latest price

Product description

The Radio Shack 200-Channel Programmable Desk Top Home Scanner Model PRO-2032 lets you in on all the action! This scanner gives you direct access to over 31,000 frequencies in 10 radio bands, including those used by the police department, the fire department, ambulance services, aircraft amateur radio operators, and transportation services. You can select up to 200 channels for your scanner to scan and you can change your channel selections at any time. The secret to your scanner's ability to scan so many frequencies is its custom-designed microprocessor-a tiny built-in computer. Features two-speed hyperscan searches, and scans channels faster. Search function finds new and unlisted frequencies, and two-second scan delay lets you hear the return calls. Includes telescoping antenna, 12V DC adapter jack, and is UL listed for AC operation.