Introduction

This scanner guide is intended for the use and entertainment of scanner listeners in eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

It grew out of my several years of listening to various public safety agencies as well as my nine years as North East Regional Editor for the Radio Communications Monitoring Association (RCMA) Journal. It is by no means definitive, and I am always looking for additional information from readers and listeners.

Western Massachusetts scanner resources

I know that there is a large part of the state west of Worcester. Since I rarely get out there, I can't do a guide that wouldn't be little more than a rehash of someone else's list. However, I found a site that seems very current and is frequently updated. Its called Western Mass. Scanning at; http://home.comcast.net/~wmascan/ . This site has frequencies, codes, and other good information on western Massachusetts scanning. Scan Cape Cod has some good western MA links at;http://www.scancapecod.us/wiki/index.php/Western_MA_Portal

Distribution

I’ve stopped producing versions in Word or PDF format and this is now a web based document only. The document is free to anyone for non commercial use. You may post links on websites, download and convert to other formats, reference the document, provided that you credit me as the source.

Thanks and credits

In addition to my work, this guide includes information from numerous scanner enthusiasts in the eastern and central Massachusetts areas. My thanks for their contributions to the guide.

I will periodically update this guide as information demands and time permits. To send updates to me you can Email me at (garys2@comcast.net). Use the subject line "Scanner Guide", so I know what the topic is.

The obligatory disclaimer

The information provided here is for the information and entertainment of the reader. I think it's pretty accurate, but I don't make any guaranties. Please scan responsibly. I am not responsible for misuse of the content of this document.

Notes for users of this guide.

The guide is pretty straight forward, but there are a couple of things that the user should be aware of. All VHF frequencies are assumed to be simplex unless noted otherwise. All UHF and 800 MHz frequencies are assumed to be repeated unless noted otherwise. Repeaters are noted with "R" after the frequency. Simplex frequencies are noted with "S" after the frequency. In the PL listings digital PL is noted by "D" followed by a number. No PL is designated by CSQ. Blank spaces under PL indicate that I don't have the information.

Sources on the Internet

For more information I recommend the following resources available on the Internet. Please note that information on the Internet is very fluid. That is, sites come and sites go with disturbing regularity. At the time of publication, these sites were accurate, but there is no guarantee that they will stay that way.

Steve Johnson's Eastern Massachusetts Trunking page at; http://users.adelphia.net/~kc1ho/ematrunk/
Scott Halligan's Scan Massachusetts web site at www.scanmassachusetts.net
Mayotte's Scanner Frequency pages for the Northeast states; http://mywebpage.netscape.com/tjoemyotte
Radio Reference at http://www.radioreference.com/index.php is a good source for frequency information from across the country.

Common Police Jargon

These terms are not universally used, but are very common. They may be used in addition to, or instead of any official codes that the various departments use.

A&B Assault and Battery

ABDW Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon

B&E Breaking and Entering

BOP Board of Probation (criminal background check)

DK Drunk

DQ License info (out of state)

FQ Out-of-state criminal record inquiry using state identification number found on IQ

H&W Check on Health and Welfare of person

KQ Drivers history for any state

IQ Out-of-state criminal record query by name

M&W Missing and Wanted

QR Used to obtain criminal records from the FBI and/or participating states maintaining
a record on the subject

Q1 Stolen vehicle/wanted missing person

Q2 Combination of the Q1 and Q3 inquiry, stolen vehicle or wanted/missing person and
MA registry inquiry. Can also be done for any other state.

Q3 Registry information query

R3 Registry license history by name scroll

SP Suspicious Person

S&R Suspension and Revocation

Triple-I Interstate Identification Index (III) Nation wide BOP

WMS Warrant Management System (A computerized database of active warrants)

209A Domestic abuse restraining order

9&10 Registration and Stolen Check

11&14 License and Wanted Check