Hello. I found an old radio in the basement with such frequencies that theoretically should give advice and overhearing police channels, etc. and I wonder if you could overheat the police channels or guard for it if it supports such frequencies or there are some obstacles I do not know, because...

The police use communication equipment that encrypts the calls you will not hear anything.

In Bialystok, apparently, the encryption broke down

I recommend to buy a terrestrial digital TV receiver based on the RTL2832U scalpel allows you to listen to the frequency of 22MHz - 1.7GHz and ksoztuje about PLN 40 (generally, I am interested in the topic of rtl sdr). Are we talking about the Polish police? I think only in Warsaw there is a digital radio being used, and in most cities it is just an analogue analogue narrow band FM, unprotected (for example, in my area it is 173.115MHz and you can easily listen).

Interesting things, Waćpan, you write ... Except for the exceptions (Tetra, Ericcson, Hytera, etc.) in our country in the blue bands FM modulation reigns supreme. The same in Health Service, PSP, PKP. Apparently there are plans for switching to the Tetra system, but how many years have you heard about it ...

A few years ago, I heard such a conversation in a regular FM radio, of course, in the radio band they had to set something wrong because they were stifling the reception of the radio. As for legality, it is rather legal that it is not like the air band.

The listening is completely legal, you can not transmit in these frequencies.

That's right, the listening is legal. In addition to the fact that you can not transmit it, you can not share the information heard on this band.

You will not hear anything interesting, as you mentioned from the Police, you will only hear messages of the type that the patrol will go to an address without details, the investigators use their cells. You will not hear much from the Fire Brigade, I only heard messages that the unit, eg number 1, goes to the action and how many people in the car and that they arrived at the action, maybe because I had a weak antenna and I did not hear the messages from the base. You can listen but you can not share the information you have gained from listening, so you can not use the radio in public so that the outsider can not hear it because the relevant services can include confidential information .

In Warsaw, just a few years ago, nothing could be heard, perhaps even in any province, you can read all the texts openly. The ambulance sends data to the ambulance through the terminal after GPRS including the street and the description of the patient.

Eavesdropping on Police Channels, Guard Frequencies: Old Radio in Basement, Obstacles & Tips

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#1 17160817 10 Apr 2018 21:45

death15331 death15331

Level 2

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Post #1
17160817 10 Apr 2018 21:45

Hello.
I found an old radio in the basement with such frequencies that theoretically should give advice and overhearing police channels, etc. and I wonder if you could overheat the police channels or guard for it if it supports such frequencies or there are some obstacles I do not know, because in All in all I do not know electronics very much

Moderated By c2h5oh:
Regulations point 3.1.16. Do not send questions that can be easily found on the Internet or in the electrode forum.
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#2 17160857 10 Apr 2018 21:59

750kV 750kV

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Post #2
17160857 10 Apr 2018 21:59

Frequencies are not everything. The type of signal modulation (amplitude, frequency, phase) is also important.
You must also know that any use of information obtained through such a watch is punishable.
I must also worry you. These services are provided by mobile phones and provide important information in this way.
#3 17160982 10 Apr 2018 22:53

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

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Post #3
17160982 10 Apr 2018 22:53

death15331 wrote:
Hello.
I found an old radio in the basement with such frequencies that theoretically should give advice and overhearing police channels, etc. and I wonder if you could overheat the police channels or guard for it if it supports such frequencies or there are some obstacles I do not know, because in All in all I do not know electronics very much

The police use communication equipment that encrypts the calls you will not hear anything.
Moderated By Olek II:
3.1.11. Do not send messages that do not contribute to the discussion. They are misleading, they are dangerous or they do not solve the user's problem.
#4 17161072 10 Apr 2018 23:38

locos1 locos1

Level 12

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Post #4
17161072 10 Apr 2018 23:38

Pong.Chu wrote:
The police use communication equipment that encrypts the calls you will not hear anything.

In Bialystok, apparently, the encryption broke down
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#5 17161076 10 Apr 2018 23:40

Anonymous Anonymous

Level 1

» |

Post #5
17161076 10 Apr 2018 23:40

I recommend to buy a terrestrial digital TV receiver based on the RTL2832U scalpel allows you to listen to the frequency of 22MHz - 1.7GHz and ksoztuje about PLN 40 (generally, I am interested in the topic of rtl sdr).

Pong.Chu wrote:

death15331 wrote:
Hello.
I found an old radio in the basement with such frequencies that theoretically should give advice and overhearing police channels, etc. and I wonder if you could overheat the police channels or guard for it if it supports such frequencies or there are some obstacles I do not know, because in All in all I do not know electronics very much

The police use communication equipment that encrypts the calls you will not hear anything.

Are we talking about the Polish police? I think only in Warsaw there is a digital radio being used, and in most cities it is just an analogue analogue narrow band FM, unprotected (for example, in my area it is 173.115MHz and you can easily listen).
#6 17161153 11 Apr 2018 01:09

dj_volt dj_volt

Level 26

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Post #6
17161153 11 Apr 2018 01:09

Pong.Chu wrote:
The police use communication equipment that encrypts the calls you will not hear anything.

Interesting things, Waćpan, you write ...
Except for the exceptions (Tetra, Ericcson, Hytera, etc.) in our country in the "blue bands" FM modulation reigns supreme. The same in Health Service, PSP, PKP. Apparently there are plans for switching to the Tetra system, but how many years have you heard about it ...
#7 17161158 11 Apr 2018 01:24

E8600 E8600

Level 41

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Post #7
17161158 11 Apr 2018 01:24

A few years ago, I heard such a conversation in a regular FM radio, of course, in the radio band they had to set something wrong because they were stifling the reception of the radio. As for legality, it is rather legal that it is not like the air band.
#8 17161210 11 Apr 2018 06:38

Anonymous Anonymous

Level 1

» |

Post #8
17161210 11 Apr 2018 06:38

E8600 wrote:
As for legality, it is rather legal that it is not like the air band.

The listening is completely legal, you can not transmit in these frequencies.
#9 17161272 11 Apr 2018 08:00

penpen penpen

Level 10

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Post #9
17161272 11 Apr 2018 08:00

zbyrek wrote:

E8600 wrote:
As for legality, it is rather legal that it is not like the air band.

The listening is completely legal, you can not transmit in these frequencies.

That's right, the listening is legal. In addition to the fact that you can not transmit it, you can not share the information heard on this band.
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#10 17161595 11 Apr 2018 11:41

xray81 xray81

Level 22

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Post #10
17161595 11 Apr 2018 11:41

You will not hear anything interesting, as you mentioned from the Police, you will only hear messages of the type that the patrol will go to an address without details, the investigators use their cells. You will not hear much from the Fire Brigade, I only heard messages that the unit, eg number 1, goes to the action and how many people in the car and that they arrived at the action, maybe because I had a weak antenna and I did not hear the messages from the base. You can listen but you can not share the information you have gained from listening, so you can not use the radio in public so that the outsider can not hear it because the relevant services can include confidential information .
#11 17161626 11 Apr 2018 12:05

Anonymous Anonymous

Anonymous

» |

Post #11
17161626 11 Apr 2018 12:05

dj_volt wrote:

Pong.Chu wrote:
The police use communication equipment that encrypts the calls you will not hear anything.

Interesting things Waćpan writes ...

In Warsaw, just a few years ago, nothing could be heard, perhaps even in any province, you can read all the texts openly. The ambulance sends data to the ambulance through the terminal after GPRS including the street and the description of the patient.
#12 17161630 11 Apr 2018 12:09

Szyszkownik Kilkujadek Szyszkownik Kilkujadek

Level 37

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Post #12
17161630 11 Apr 2018 12:09

The topic seems to have been exhausted and all important information has already been heard.
@ death15331 If you want to play, buy a frequency scanner.
#13 17161772 11 Apr 2018 14:00

^ToM^ ^ToM^

Level 42

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Post #13
17161772 11 Apr 2018 14:00

You can listen without interruption, but you can not pass on the information you hear. You have to remember about it. Whereas now the services have gone digital, so you will not hear too much. You can play because you can learn something about how the radio works.
#14 17161864 11 Apr 2018 15:07

internick internick

Level 36

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Post #14
17161864 11 Apr 2018 15:07

locos1 wrote:
... In Bialystok apparently the encryption broke ...

Ambulance Service or Border Guard will you listen?

zbyrek wrote:
... I think that only digital radio is used in Warsaw, and in most cities it is just an analogue analogue narrowband FM, unsecured ...

All of Kujawsko-Pomorskie, most of Podkarpackie, Podlasie, Warmian-Masurian and many other regions have long been in DMR.

dj_volt wrote:
... Except for exceptions ... in our country ... FM modulation reigns supreme ... PSP, PKP ...

In Fire Brigade and on the railways yes.

^ToM^ wrote:
... now the services have gone digital ... You can have fun ...

He would play if he led the discriminator and the receiver connected to a computer with a special softphone, eg DSD.

death15331 wrote:
... I found an old radio in the basement ...

What kind of equipment and what frequencies does it cover?
#15 17161887 11 Apr 2018 15:22

_siekier _siekier

Level 24

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Post #15
17161887 11 Apr 2018 15:22

In Dolnośląskie, still a lot of "human harm" flies in analog, but for someone to listen to passionately for hours, because sensitive data does not fly in the "open" ether, only digital communication or cellular networks.

* "Human harm" - blue, PSP, health service.

One could listen to analogue telephone radiolinks in villages - heh, life itself, good hstorie, and even wishes for various occasions could be learned quite well.
#16 17161894 11 Apr 2018 15:25

internick internick

Level 36

» | Helpful post? (0)

Post #16
17161894 11 Apr 2018 15:25

_siekier wrote:
... It was possible to listen to analogue telephone radiolinks in the villages ...

And to think that the NMT450 has long since shut down, and the bandwidth to this day is unused.

They have been poisoning about LTE450 for several years, but nothing comes of it.
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#17 17161953 11 Apr 2018 15:58

ptero ptero

Level 24

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Post #17
17161953 11 Apr 2018 15:58

I once listened to several nearby hams, a few VHF repeaters, the Straż, Police, PKP, PMR, Radio Taxi, sentries at a nearby polygon, a military airport tower with nearby airplanes (in AM), ISS station, motor hangers, ships on the Oder river, several captains and ports.
And a passing balloon.
#18 17161988 11 Apr 2018 16:15

c2h5oh c2h5oh

Moderator

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Post #18
17161988 11 Apr 2018 16:15

All information has already been provided. If the subject's author does not feel satisfied, let him look for information on the subject on the electrode. It has already been written about it many times. There is no point in duplicating this information again.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using an old radio to eavesdrop on police and guard frequencies. Key points include the importance of signal modulation types and the legal implications of listening to such communications. Many responders noted that police communications are often encrypted, making them inaccessible to standard radios. Some users suggested alternatives like purchasing a terrestrial digital TV receiver based on RTL2832U for broader frequency access. The conversation also highlighted that while listening is generally legal, sharing the information obtained is not. The current trend shows a shift towards digital communication, limiting the effectiveness of traditional analog radios for monitoring police and emergency services.
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FAQ

TL;DR: “...allows you to listen” across 22–1700 MHz; RTL2832U costs about PLN 40. For hobby listeners in Poland asking how to hear police/guard channels with old radios or cheap SDR, here’s what works, what’s digital, and what’s legal. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17161076]

Why it matters: It helps Polish radio hobbyists choose gear and stay within the law.

Quick Facts

RTL2832U (RTL‑SDR) USB sticks cover approx. 22 MHz–1.7 GHz and cost ~PLN 40. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17161076]
Legal baseline in Poland: listening allowed; do not transmit on service frequencies. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17161210]
Legal restriction: do not share or publish the content you hear. [Elektroda, penpen, post #17161272]
Typical modulations: narrowband FM dominates; some TETRA/Ericsson/Hytera systems exist or are planned. [Elektroda, dj_volt, post #17161153]
DMR reported in Kujawsko-Pomorskie and much of Podkarpackie, Podlasie, Warmian‑Masurian. [Elektroda, internick, #17161864

Can my old basement radio pick up police or guard frequencies?

Maybe, but modulation decides success. Frequencies alone are not enough. Services use amplitude, frequency, or phase modulation. Some sensitive traffic now moves through mobile phones. Using information you hear can be punishable. “Frequencies are not everything.” [Elektroda, 750kV, post #17160857]

Is listening to police or guard channels legal in Poland?

Listening is legal. You must not transmit on those frequencies. You also must not share what you hear. “Listening is legal.” Keep your monitoring private and educational. [Elektroda, penpen, post #17161272]

Can I share what I hear on social media or play it in public?

Do not relay monitored content publicly. Do not play it where outsiders can hear. Services may treat traffic as confidential. Keep listening private and avoid rebroadcasting. [Elektroda, xray81, post #17161595]

What cheap gear should I buy to start scanning today?

Get an RTL2832U-based DVB‑T USB dongle (RTL‑SDR). It covers about 22 MHz to 1.7 GHz. The cost is around PLN 40. One user cites 173.115 MHz as a local police example. This dongle offers broad coverage for beginners. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17161076]

Which services are still analog and worth scanning?

Blue‑light bands in Poland often use FM. Health Service, State Fire Service, and rail (PKP) also use FM. Some networks run TETRA, Ericsson, or Hytera digital. Plans to migrate exist, but FM remains common today. [Elektroda, dj_volt, post #17161153]

Is Warsaw different from other cities for police radio?

A user reports digital radio in Warsaw. They also note many cities still use analog narrowband FM. Their example frequency was 173.115 MHz. Scan locally to confirm your area’s situation. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17161076]

Where in Poland is DMR used right now?

DMR is reported widely. It covers all of Kujawsko‑Pomorskie. It includes most of Podkarpackie, Podlasie, and Warmian‑Masurian. Other regions also appear on DMR. [Elektroda, internick, post #17161864]

Can I decode DMR or other digital modes at home?

Yes, with the right setup. Add a discriminator output or use an SDR. Connect the receiver’s audio to a computer. Run decoding software such as DSD. “receiver connected to a computer with a special softphone, eg DSD.” [Elektroda, internick, post #17161864]

Will encrypted police communications be listenable?

No, encrypted traffic will not be intelligible. A user states police use equipment with encryption. You will not hear those calls. Focus on unencrypted or analog services. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17160982]

Can a regular FM radio pick up service chatter by accident?

Yes, when a transmitter is misconfigured. One listener heard service traffic on a normal FM radio. The strong signal stifled the broadcast station. Treat this as interference, not a reliable method. [Elektroda, E8600, post #17161158]

What kinds of signals can I hear for fun besides police?

Plenty. Hams and VHF repeaters are active. You may hear Straż, PKP, PMR, and taxi. Military airport towers use AM, and the ISS can be heard. River ships, ports, and even passing balloons appear. [Elektroda, ptero, post #17161953]

What happens if I act on information I hear?

Do not use monitored information to act. “Any use of information obtained through such a watch is punishable.” Keep listening purely as a hobby. Never interfere with operations. [Elektroda, 750kV, post #17160857]

Should I buy a hardware scanner or go straight to RTL‑SDR?

“If you want to play, buy a frequency scanner.” A scanner simplifies tuning and modulation. It is easier than repurposing old radios. Start with a scanner for a smoother experience. [Elektroda, Szyszkownik Kilkujadek, post #17161630]

How do I get started with digital decoding (DMR) in 3 steps?

Add a discriminator tap to your receiver or use an RTL‑SDR.
Connect audio to your PC and install DSD.
Tune to a known DMR frequency and start decoding. [Elektroda, internick, post #17161864]

Why do I only hear brief dispatches and not details?

Dispatchers send short tasking messages. Investigators handle details on cellphones. Fire Brigade traffic often reports departures and arrivals. A weak antenna may miss the base replies. Keep expectations realistic for content depth. [Elektroda, xray81, post #17161595]

Could encryption ever fail, revealing traffic?

It can happen as an exception. One user noted, “In Białystok, apparently, the encryption broke down.” Treat such moments as temporary faults. Do not rely on them. [Elektroda, locos1, post #17161072]

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