Welcome to the SA-SCAN website, the home of scanner monitoring information for South Australia.
A scanner is a radio receiver that can automatically tune, or scan, two or more frequencies, stopping when it finds a signal on one of them and then continuing to scan other frequencies when the initial transmission ceases. In this way it is possible to program in multiple frequencies used by a variety of agencies and businesses and monitor their radio transmissions. One minute you could be listening the S.A. Ambulance Service rushing to save a life and then the next minute you may be listening to an aircraft making its final approach to the Adelaide Airport, such is the diversity of the hobby.
Contrary to widespread belief, scanning is perfectly legal. However, you should not use information obtained from listening for commercial gain or criminal activity. Monitoring phone conversations on your scanner is also forbidden. Apart from that, you can pretty well scan as you please, though discretion is advised when using scanners in public. For instance, being an 'ambulance chaser' and turning up at accident scenes, hindering emergency services is an extremely foolish and inappropriate thing to do. Genuine scanner enthusiasts don't want to give politicians an excuse to ban or restrict the hobby, as has occurred in other countries.
In South Australia all emergency services and some semi government agencies use the Government Radio Network (GRN), this is a network of over 200 radio sites linked together to form a voice, data and paging network that covers approximately 96% of the population of South Australia and more than 220,000 sq km of landmass. There are approximately 14,000 mobile/portable voice users, 16,000 paging users and 500 mobile data terminals connected to the network. With the use of a 'trunk-tracking' capable scanner you can monitor transmissions on the network from users right around the state (with the exception of the SA Police Department who use encrypted radios on the network).
On this website you will find all the information you need to get started in this exciting hobby. Frequencies, codes and maps are all available as well as detailed step by step instructions for programming your trunk-tracking scanner to monitor the SA-GRN. Sign up to the popular 'SA-SCAN' Yahoo email group to assist you with an questions you may have and be kept up to date with the latest changes and information. A live streaming audio feed of emergency service radio traffic is also available for your enjoyment as well as a collection of radio related links from around Australia.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to join the SA-SCAN Yahoo email group available here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SA-Scan/
Latest News |
Clipsal 500 Frequencies
(Updated 16/03/11)
The Clipsal 500 V8 motor race is set to rock the streets of Adelaide this week. As in previous years this website will endevour to bring you all of the frequencies and talkgroups used at the event here. To be able to do that effectively though we need your help. If you have any updates or new frequencies please pass them on to the SA-SCAN Yahoo email group available here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SA-Scan/
R.F.D.S. committed to maintaining H.F. Network
(Source - R.F.D.S. Website: 18/11/10)
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) maintains its commitment to High Frequency (HF) radio monitoring and that service will continue despite public infrastructure and technology changes in two states as part of the Service’s on-going commitment to emergency communications throughout Australia.
“Despite technology alternatives, the HF radio network remains an important back-up communication system in rural and remote areas, and the RFDS is committed to its monitoring and use in case of emergencies in all outback regions of Australia – 24 hours a day, seven days week, across all States,” says Robert Williams, Acting RFDS National Chief Executive.
“People can continue to make contact with the RFDS in case of an emergency via the HF radio network either directly on RFDS frequencies, or using Selcall numbers on the VKS-737 radio network,” he said.
“Landholders, workers and tourists to the outback should always plan and re-check the appropriate HF frequency and system for their nearest RFDS Base as part of their safety and emergency plans as there are subtle differences from state to state.”
Respective HF radio frequencies and Sellcall numbers for RFDS Bases are available here and summarised below:
- New South Wales – no change to 24/7 voice and alarm monitoring via RFDS Broken Hill Base on Call Sign VJC on frequencies 4055 (primary), 2020 and 6920. Emergency Call Button facility remains unchanged.
- South Australia – no change to 24/7 voice and alarm monitoring via RFDS Port Augusta Base on Call Sign VNZ on frequencies 4010 (primary), 6890, 8165 and 2020. Emergency Call Button facility remains unchanged.
- Northern Territory (south of Tennant Creek) – no change to 24/7 voice and alarm monitoring via RFDS Port Augusta Base on Call Sign VNZ on frequencies 4010 (primary), 6890, 8165 and 2020. Emergency Call Button facility remains unchanged.
- Western Australia – state-wide switch to Selcall monitoring on 24/7 basis to RFDS HF Bases at Derby, Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Meekatharra and Kalgoorlie via RFDS frequencies or the VKS-737 radio network channels. Emergency Call Button facility is no longer available.
- Queensland – statewide switch to Selcall monitoring on 24/7 basis to RFDS HF Bases at Charleville, Mt Isa and Cairns via RFDS frequencies or the VKS-737 radio network channels. Emergency Call Button facility is no longer available.
The switch to Selcall voice monitoring in Western Australia and Queensland in October 2010 followed the decision by Telstra to terminate the voice grade dedicated lines (VGDL) that have previously supported the HF radio network. The RFDS sections in these states did not believe they could meet the capital costs required to facilitate internal monitoring.
In these two states, the RFDS has established a formal agreement with VKS-737 to provide HF equipment and telephone interconnects for any emergency messages broadcast over the HF radio network to the RFDS.
HF users who do not have Selcall technology on their handsets can broadcast their emergency on VKS-737 channels, or alternatively they can fit their HF transceiver with RFDS frequencies.
Anyone who requires advice in relation to the changes to the HF network is urged to contact VKS-737 Administration Manager Steve Johnston OAM on (08) 8287 6222.
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