Frequently Asked Questions
If they aren't answered here, and you really want to know, then e-mail me
and I'll try to get back in a timely manner. I'm sorry, I can NOT provide
technical support if you're having problems.
What equipment do I need to hear this?
While I've had good luck with a 33.6 or 56K modem connection, a broadband connection is the best. Any online computer with speakers should do well. If you're using Windows, try downloading the free WinAMP software to listen to the stream. I am streaming a 24kbps MPEG stream using Shoutcast and WinAMP. You can either click on the Listen Now and
the computer should automatically load the link into a compatible media player
OR you need to open WinAMP and type in http://216.68.233.15:8000/listen.pls
for the streaming address/URL. You can also download iTunes for Windows and easily listen with that.
Can Macintosh users hear the stream?
Macintosh can do anything! This entire site is built using my Mac G5 and
10.4. I never had a PC in the house until the one I'm using just for streaming
purposes. ;) Yes, iTunes can listen to the stream. Go to the Advanced Menu,
open Stream, and type in http://216.68.233.15:8000/listen.pls The best EQ
setting would be Spoken Voice. Clicking the Listen Now link will also automatically
open iTunes.
Why isn't my Mac streaming?!
Macintosh can do anything! That means yes, it can stream Shoutcast data to my host. However my Mac is constantly doing other tasks such as rendering digital video, sloshing through my e-mail from various yahoogroups, importing digital pictures from my wife's camera, and creating this fun website. I can't guaruntee a 24/7 audio stream from this computer with everything I do and play with. Why spend 64bit processor power pushing 24k audio out when a dumb Windows 1.4GHz P3 box sitting in a dark hole under the desk can do the job perfectly. Its one fan is louder than the 9 thermal-smart fans on my Mac but it does serve audio quite well.
Why can't I hear anything!?
Make sure speakers are plugged in. Make sure the time counter in your media player is ticking forward, ensuring you're definitely connected to the stream. If you ARE connected, and you aren't hearing anything, then the problem is probably on my end and the scanner got turned down, Windows crashed, my DSL is acting up, or there simply isn't any radio traffic in rural Northern California (6 agencies can be quiet for 5-10 minutes at a time up here!) I usually check the stream a couple times a day, and check the equipment in the morning before leaving for work. You can check the status of the server at http://216.68.233.15:8000/ If you've exhuasted the possibilities then I don't know what to tell you. You can e-mail me at the address to the left and if it's my problem I'll fix it. If everything on my end is working, I won't be able to help you.
What equipment are you using?
I am using a BC895xlt attached to an external Grove Scanner antenna (vertical
dipole) on the roof. It is hooked up to a headless PC running Windows 98SE
(controlled by my Macintosh) that sits there and spits a single 24k stream
to my host, which then relays the stream up to 60 different users. I also
switch to a Pro-2066 attached to a dualband J-Pole antenna 40ft up a tower.
As of July 2007, I'm on the Pro-2066. When I need to use ham, the antenna
will switch over to the Grove vertical dipole.
How can I stream my scanner? Can you help me?
Unfortunately my setup is a "set it up, leave it alone, forget about it" kind of job. Since I'm not daily messing with configuration files etc I am not in practice of rattling out settings and instructions of setting up your own live scanner via Shoutcast. Also, my setup is a custom setup with a professional hosting service. Not everybody uses a professional host, nor every host supports Shoutcast. You can stream your scanner over your broadband connection but that usually only supports a few listeners. You can read the same directions I read on Shoutcast's site. Other streaming technologies (although not as friendly) are Windows Media Encoding and Teamspeak. Any e-mail requests for help will simply be directed to those three websites for further instruction. I simply don't have the time to discuss or support everybody's online scanner.
That's a lot of frequencies! Is it busy?
This is Red Bluff, California. It takes 20 frequencies here to equal the same amount of radio traffic as one dispatch channel for San Francisco PD. And it's STILL quiet at times! When it's normally scanning, with a little listening you should be able to tell who is who. A trick with fire traffic is listen to the unit numbers and dispatch names.
What if there's a major incident?
Normal scanning stops and I will only monitor the frequencies related to the incident. With daily workload and life, I can't consistently upload an updated set of frequencies that is scanning during an incident. I will however send an e-mail to the NorCalFire e-mail list. If you subscribe to that you can get the latest fire news, as well as frequencies in the stream during a major incident.
Where's the local PD?
Because I'm a fire radio nut. During fire season I rarely monitor law enforcement. You won't find a law enforcement frequency plugged in during fire season unless it's directly tied to a major incident. During the winter I have law enforcement frequencies and various other freqs such as Fish and Game, Parks and Rec, and Caltrans.
What is that ugly bleedover law agency?
You're hearing Tehama County Sheriff Dispatch bleeding over on a number of frequencies. Some of it I can't tone out. The dispatch name is "Tehama County" and it will sound like it's not tuned in properly etc. I'm working on getting it out of there, but I might not be successful. I'm about 5 blocks from their TXmitter at dispatch. Right now it's coming over RBFD Tac 2 154.205. It was coming out over 151.295 the worst - Air net 5. We'll see how it goes this season.
Butte CDF switches from clear to low-signal - why?
Butte CDF Local Net uses two primary tones (repeater sites) for their dispatch. One in north county (close to me) and one in south county (far from me with some mountains in the way). In the middle of dispatches you will notice the signal suddenly switch from excellent to fair as they switch repeaters on the fly. I am still able to monitor 100% of Butte CDF Local net, however on a very hot day or bad temperature-inversion day, I might lose reception of the south county repeater temporarily.
Did you know you can do 2 scanners with stereo streaming?
If there is a major incident I might push a temporary stereo stream with two scanners, however I don't have the scanners to support a constant 24/7 stereo feed. I also don't want to consistently lose the upload bandwidth needed for a stereo stream.
Can I e-mail you and ask to put a frequency in?
You can try. Depends if it is for the common good of the live scanner and
all its listeners, and if I can hear it. Fire Season will strictly be fire
but who knows what I'll do in November through May.
Why do a lot of transmissions pause every 2 seconds?
I probably have some channel on priority (checks the channel every 2 seconds for transmissions). I normally don't do this online so if it's on, there's a reason.
Why 60 users? Any more?
Since I get zero money for my website (and have to constantly explain to
my wife why the website takes so much time as it is) I didn't want to pay
for any more users. I have maxed at 30 only once when I had the 30 limit.
Now that it's 60, something big has to happen here for 60 people to want
to listen to Red Bluff.
It is getting more and more popular though and recently peaked at 58 users
during a recent smaller fire.
My question still wasn't answered
You obviously haven't read the entire FAQ. I already answered this.