Every time we move, one of the tasks to complete is to put together a Radio Scanner band plan for that area. Recently, within six months, we move to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and after several changes and reconfigurations, I think I have settled on the band plan that I will keep. I program my scanner with frequencies from RadioReference.com and sort them according to location or task. My scanner allows me to color code different channels, so I try to do this as much as possible. Color coding helps me to see which service is talking if I missed the initial call.
The band plan I have programed for the Leavenworth, KS area is:
1. Leavenworth—This channel includes all Leavenworth city or county public safety. It also includes on-post Fort Leavenworth public safety.
2. Penitentiary—Locally, we have the US Disciplinary Barracks and the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth.
3. Open—Planned for Department of Transportation. I have not spent much time on the Department of Transportation Frequencies, but being in an area with several Interstate Highways, this would be interesting to listen to.
4. Kansas City Metro—While I have a substantial scanner antenna hooked up indoors, Kansas City Metro Public Safety has yet to hit my scanners. I think that I am simply out of range for this area, but I need to do more research to be sure.
5. Open—Planned for State of Kansas Police or Emergency Management. This channel may fill up depending on the Spring storm season.
6. Platte County—This channel has the public safety frequencies for a neighboring county. This channel is fairly active for the small area.
7. Open—Planned for neighboring counties
8. Lenexa Public Safety—Lenexa is the home of my church, Lenexa Baptist. I wanted to listen in on this area, since I have started to learn the road network. However, this area is also out of range.
9. Railroad—There are two main railroads in the area Union Pacific and BNSF. These are the frequencies posted on RadioReference. I primarily listen to these frequencies on other analogue scanners.
0. Amateur Radio—At the bottom of every band plan, I place Amateur Radio. They are all marked with the Skywarn button so it only takes a quick touch to turn this channel on. I don’t typically listen in on these frequencies because the amateur radio operators sometimes hold the frequencies and lock up the scanners. There are times, however, that I turn them on by themselves an enjoy listening to the traffic.
I am happy with this band plan because it gives me the basics to start, but also allows me room to grow. It will be interesting to see how it pans out over time.
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