ScanScope

ScanScope decodes DCS CTCSS and Selcal signalling received on your radio scanner.

ScanScope allows you to monitor radio traffic and to decode and to record the various identification schemes that are commonly in use.

ScanScope Features

ScanScope detect three methods (DCS, CTCSS, Selcal) by which radio transmissions are identified and distinguished on shared radio channels. The purpose of these techniques is to separate users into groups so that members of each group hear transmissions from their own group members but not transmissions from other groups. DCS (Digital-Coded Squelch) adds a continuous sub-audible baseband digital data pattern to the transmitted signal. Because of ambiguities, there are around 100 unique codes available to distinguish user groups. CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) uses a set of separate sub-audible tones - one for each user group. Selcal (also known as "5-tone") transmits a short burst of sequential in-band tones at the start of each transmission. There are usually five such sequential tones (giving around 100,000 unique codes) but other code lengths are sometimes used. The code may include status symbols and it may also be transmitted at the end as well as at the beginning of each transmission.

You need a suitable VHF/UHF band radio receiver tuned to an appropriate frequency. The program processes the audio signal from the receiver - connected to the PC Line-In socket - and displays and logs the codes and tones that it detects.

Signal View - displays the raw audio signals on your PC screen in a diagnostic display which helps you to set up the connection and the soundcard.
Spectrum View - displays a scrolling spectrum of the received audio signal frequencies on your PC screen. You see an immediate display of voice and other coded signals in the 0-3kHz audio frequency range from the receiver.
Code view - shows the current DCS code or CTCSS tones being carried by the signal together with a list of Selcal (5-tone) codes that have been decoded.
Customization - You can define the permitted DCS codes and CTCSS tones that ScanScope will decode and you can specify the family of Selcal 5-tones and the code length and speed that you expect.
Log file - The program can automatically save the decoded code, tone or sequence with a time tag to a log file for later traffic analysis.

Requirements to run ScanScope

Pentium level PC running Win2k/XP/Vista with compatible sound card
A suitable radio receiver. For DCS and CTCSS decoding, a discriminator output is preferred.
The receiver audio output must be connected to the Line-In connector on your PC.

Download ScanScope

ScanScope can be downloaded freely and comes in a self-installing exe file. The file size is a modest 0.5 Mb.

Download ScanScope (version 1.7.1) Now.

Registration of ScanScope

ScanScope can be freely downloaded and used for 21 days. After that time it must be registered. Registration can be done swiftly and securely on-line and costs only Euro €25 (plus VAT for EU residents) for personal use. We strongly recommend that you ensure that ScanScope performs to your satisfaction before registering.

Register ScanScope Now.

Disclaimer

There are considerable variations in the legislation concerning radio reception in the different administrations around the world. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not your local administration permits the reception of radio signals of the type that interest you. It is specifically forbidden to use ScanScope for any illegal purpose whatsoever. The existence and the availability of ScanScope is not to be construed as an incitement to commit any unlawful act. It is for use only in those states and regions where such use is permitted.