Best Fit Right Now
People who already run scanners, SDRs, SDRTrunk, Trunk-Recorder, or similar monitoring setups.
Equipment Path
Most hosts provide their own setup, but some areas may qualify for special consideration.
Agency Friendly
Departments and local agencies are welcome to partner with us on direct feed solutions.
Help expand coverage where it matters most
ScannerGrid is building one unified network for public safety radio access. Instead of separate county-specific subdomains, users now access feeds through a single central platform.
That means every reliable local host helps strengthen the larger network. If you already monitor agencies in your area with a scanner or SDR setup, you may already be closer than you think to contributing a feed.
We are especially interested in users who already have equipment, but we are also open to hearing from people who may be willing to build or buy a small setup for a high-demand area.
Good host candidates
- Already monitor local radio traffic
- Have a scanner or SDR
- Can run a small device 24/7
- Want to improve county coverage
- Have a strong reception location
How hosting works
Tell us about your area
Share your county, location, and whether you already have a scanner, SDR, antenna, or monitoring setup.
We review the coverage fit
We review your area, current network needs, and whether your setup or location would be a strong fit.
Get connected
If approved, we help guide the setup into the ScannerGrid network through one central access point.
You do not need a perfect setup to reach out
If you already have a scanner, SDR, antenna, or a location with strong reception, that is enough to start the conversation. Many potential hosts already have most of what they need.
Some people run their existing setup as a node. Others decide later to build or buy a small dedicated setup if their area is a strong candidate for coverage expansion.
Equipment expectations
At this time, most volunteer hosts should expect to provide their own equipment. This helps ensure each setup is managed locally by someone committed to providing reliable long-term coverage.
The best fit right now is someone who already has a scanner or SDR setup, already monitors local traffic, or is open to building a small setup for their area if it is a good match.
Special placement consideration
In select cases, ScannerGrid may consider providing or placing equipment in areas where coverage is highly requested and a strong long-term host location is available. This is not the standard setup path and is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Most hosts should still expect to provide their own equipment, but if your area fills an important coverage gap, feel free to reach out and tell us more about your location and what you may be able to host.
Agency & Department Partnerships
ScannerGrid is also open to working directly with local fire departments, EMS agencies, and public safety organizations that may be interested in providing audio feeds to the network.
In some cases, departments may prefer to provide audio from their own equipment or radio monitoring setups. This can help ensure consistent coverage while allowing the agency to remain involved in how communications are shared with the public.
We understand the importance of balancing transparency with responder safety. If a department prefers to introduce a delay, limit certain talkgroups, or structure feeds in a way that helps protect active operations, we are happy to work with them to find a solution that meets their needs.
If your department or agency is interested in discussing a partnership, please feel free to reach out.
Common setup paths
SDR Setup
SDR-based setups are often a strong option for expanding county coverage, especially where trunked radio systems are involved. If you already use an SDR for monitoring, you may already have the core of a usable node.
Example equipment
- RTL-SDR V4 — affordable SDR option
- 700–2700MHz Magnetic Antenna — useful starter antenna option
Software options
- SDRTrunk — advanced digital monitoring
- Trunk-Recorder — recording and streaming for trunked audio
Scanner Setup
Traditional scanner setups can also be a great fit, especially if you already monitor the channels or agencies needed in your county. If you already have a dependable scanner and good reception, you may already be in a strong position to help.
Example equipment
- Sabrent USB Audio Adapter — easy way to connect scanner audio to a computer
- Voxcall — audio capture and streaming software
Optional host hardware
If you do not want to run a node on your main computer, a small dedicated system can be a great option for long-term reliability.
- Mini PC — good dedicated host option for 24/7 use
- Battery Backup — helps keep a node running through short outages
Interested in Hosting?
Tell us about your county, your current setup, and what you may be able to provide. We can review it and see if your area is a good fit for ScannerGrid expansion.