Public safety agencies as well as businesses apply to the Federal Communications Commission for radio frequency licenses. For the most part, an entity cannot operate a radio system without a license. The F.C.C., in conjunction with local and national coordination groups, determine whether a particular radio frequency is available for the applicant in his or her area based upon other nearby users of the frequency, the proposed power at which the transmitting station will operate, the station's elevation, etc.

To program a two-way radio or a scanner, you need to know what frequency (or frequencies) a public safety agency or a business operates on. The most up-to-date guide available with frequency information is POLICE CALL which is available through this site and is also available at all Radio Shack stores. POLICE CALL has been publishing updated yearly editions since the 1970's. It is the nation's most well-respected and best-selling scanner/communications guide. Best of all, the book contains not only frequencies, but trunking talkgroups, radio codes, maps, and a sensational introduction to radio systems and scanning. The 2002 editions now come with a national CD-ROM as well.

You can also go to the F.C.C. web site to search for the latest new licenses. See elsewhere in this section. As a registered user of this site, you can also receive daily license updates by selecting the Daily FCC updates item in this menu.