# 2-Way Radios & Reality TV: Couldn't People Listen In?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-way-radios-reality-tv-couldnt-people-listen-in/724574>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 8, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-way-radios-reality-tv-couldnt-people-listen-in/724574 "2015-07-08T13:43:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-way-radios-reality-tv-couldnt-people-listen-in/724574/41 "2015-07-15T01:16:22Z")

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> [@Shagnasty](#):
>
> The short answer to your question is usually nothing stops other people from listening other than the fact that there are so many frequencies that people that have a specific need for scanners only program them to scan a small band of them and most people don’t have either the scanner or the interest. They are popular among volunteer firefighters and EMT’s in small towns that use them to get real-time information about unfolding events.

Swear to Og, I think scanners are the biggest hobby in small towns.

Doing festival security/first aid near Small Towns, we’re always warning our staff and volunteers that they really should \*not \*say anything over the two way that they don’t want to see in the newspaper tomorrow. The surrounding farmers ARE listening, believe me. “Security, please come to First Aid at your earliest convenience,” is a lot safer than, “Holy crap, this guy is tearing my shack apart, I think he’s on meth, would some very large person please come take him to the police car waiting up top?!” 🆒

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**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-way-radios-reality-tv-couldnt-people-listen-in/724574/42 "2015-07-15T01:25:01Z")

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[Here is a website dedicated to scanners and frequencies.](http://www.radioreference.com/)

[Here is an example of business radio frequencies in Washington DC.](http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=4050)

Mos businesses use VHF or UHF simplex radios good for a few miles.

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