1. What kind of audio player do I need?
In order to listen to the scanner feeds, you need an audio player which supports streaming ogg or mp3 file formats. For further information on how to connect and suggested audio player software, click here.
2. What is the repeat button? (winamp, XMMS and iTunes)
The "repeat" button is crucial! It automatically reconnects you to the scanner, if network latency forces you off the site. The button that has an arrow that looks somewhat like a "U-Turn" arrow. When repeat is on, the button should light up or have a colored box next to it.
3. How do I adjust the buffering length? (winamp and XMMS)
To adjust your buffering length, again right click towards the top portion of the winamp window. Make sure you have the "big menu."
Now, go to the following:
OPTIONS --> PREFERENCES
Highlight PLUGINS and then INPUT. Select NULLSOFT VORBIS DECODER. Click on CONFIGURE. This should open a new window. (whew!) Now select STREAMING. I set my options to the following:
Buffer Size: 12 kB
Prebuffering at start: around 50%
After underrun: around 75%
Leave the other options as they are and hit okay. Then Close the Winamp Preferences Window. This should set up your buffering options. If you click the play button and wait a few seconds, you should see it connects much faster and hopefully you still hear the scanner without skipping. If it skips, increase your buffering length.
4. How and where do I enter the URL? (winamp only)
If you right click in the upper portion of the winamp window (next to where it says winamp), you should get a popup menu with a bunch of options. If you click to low, you will only get a menu with three options. You do not want this menu. The menu you want, has about 12 or 13 items to choose from. Once you get the "big menu" go to:
PLAY --> URL
In the URL field, type the following:
http://scansandiego.net:7000/scanner.ogg
5. How can I connect to both streams at once? (winamp and xmms)
To setup Winamp so you can listen to both scanner streams, at the same time, right click towards the top portion of the winamp window. Make sure you see the "big menu."
Now, go to the following:
OPTIONS --> PREFERENCES
Highlight GENERAL PREFERENCES and ensure the box marked "Allow multiple instances" is selected.
You must now exit out of Winamp for the changes to take effect.
Now you can start two instances of Winamp:
1. Open the first instance of Winamp.
2. Now try to open a second instance of Winamp again.
You should end up with 2 Winamp screens.
(Note: The winamp screens may be overlapping. You may have to grap one instance of Winamp and drag it to a different portion of your computer screen.)
In one Winamp window you can listen to scanner 1, and in the other winamp window you can listen to scanner 2.
TIP: One of our listeners pushs the balance control of one Winamp to the left and the the balance control of the other to the right. This makes it easier to tell the difference between each scanner.
1. How do I connect to the live audio scanner stream?
This is such a popular question, that I have dedicated an entire section of the website to this problem. For details on how to connect to the website, please click here.
2. Is there a way to have the scanner feed stick on one channel?
No. While this would be an fairly straight forward thing for me to implement, this feature will never be made public.
Scanner admins are able to "lock" the scanner on specific trunk id, but opening this to general users would be foolish., Having multiple users issuing commands to the scanner, simultaneously, is asking for trouble. And also, why should one non-admin type person be able to control what everyone else is listening to?
3. I keep dropping the stream! Is there a way to automatically reconnect?
Yes. Just click the repeat button on winamp or xmms. Whenever your stream drops, it will automatically reconnect to the scanning audio server.
1. What type of scanner do you use?
I am using two RadioShack Pro 2052 Dual Trunking radio scanners and a digital Uniden Scanner. For further details on the scanners, please click on this link.
2. Is it necessary to include specific listener's IP addresses on the site?
No, it is not really necessay, but why not? If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to listen.
FYI: having someone know your IP address is hardly a security concern. Any time you connect to the internet, someone or something knows your IP. If you have the proper firewalls and security software, you don't need to be worried.
3. How many visitors do you get to your site? How can I help?
The number of visitors to my site varies. To see my webstats, please click here. You can help increase these numbers by telling a friend about this site.
4. I really like your site! Can I make a donation?
Absolutely! I already have had a few donors! For further information on donating please click here: Donate To the Cause
5. How does all this stuff work?
I have been asked this question quite a few times. To see how all of this works, click here.
