Getting started

Web Scanner Help

A talkgroup is basically a radio channel used by a particular agency or for a particular purpose, such as sheriff's dispatch, fire, or EMS. Open Talkgroups, choose what you want to hear, then start the scanner.

This page covers the EastArkNet web scanner. For more help with EastArkNet, including the mobile app, see EastArkNet Help.

What to expect

Listening Is Usually Stop and Start

The scanner stays quiet until someone talks on one of the talkgroups you selected. You may hear nothing for a while, then several short calls close together during a busy incident. If more than one call arrives at about the same time, some may wait briefly in the Queue so you can hear them in order.

Scanner controls

Start, Pause, Skip, Hold, and Avoid

Start turns the scanner on. Pause stops the audio until you resume. Skip moves past the current call. Hold keeps you on the current talkgroup for a while. Avoid removes that talkgroup from your scan list and skips its current call.

Choosing what to hear

Public and Restricted Talkgroups

Most public talkgroups are available without an access code. Some talkgroups are restricted and show a lock; authorized users can unlock them under Menu → Settings → Access. Your talkgroup choices are remembered on this device.

Alerts & notifications

Alerts Are Separate from Scanner Audio

Alerts can show important incident information and may include alert audio. Notifications are optional messages sent to your device. You can choose your notification preferences under Menu → Alerts & Notifications; those choices do not change which talkgroups you hear on the scanner.

Call Archive

Go Back and Hear an Earlier Call

The Call Archive lets you look up earlier traffic by talkgroup and, if needed, by date and time. When you play an archived call, live scanner audio pauses and then continues when the archived call is finished.

Phones & tablets

Web Scanner or EastArkNet App

The web scanner works in your browser, but phones can limit browser audio when the screen is locked or the browser is in the background. EastArkNet's official iPhone and Android app is designed for more dependable background and lock-screen listening and uses the same EastArkNet talkgroups, alerts, and call archive. See Apps for current app options.

If you hear nothing

A Quiet Scanner May Be Completely Normal

Make sure the scanner is started, at least one talkgroup is selected, and your device is not muted. There may simply be no radio traffic on the talkgroups you chose. EastArkNet can also occasionally have a reception, equipment, or network problem that temporarily affects what you hear.

Support

Still Need Help?

If something does not seem to be working, contact EastArkNet Support. Tell us what device and browser you are using and what happened.

Open Support

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