Pinellas County, Florida: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Pinellas County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Pinellas County
- Fire dispatch — most fire departments stay on open radio even when police go encrypted
- EMS / ambulance dispatch — emergency medical services often remain unencrypted for interoperability
- NOAA Weather Radio — direct NWS broadcasts on 162.400–162.550 MHz
- Public works & utilities — city maintenance, road crews, and utilities typically unencrypted
Recommended Scanners for Pinellas County
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Agencies in Pinellas County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Florida agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Largo Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Pinellas County Sheriff's Office | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Pinellas Park Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | transit | P25 AES-256 |
| St. Petersburg Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport | airport | P25 AES-256 |
| Tarpon Springs Police | police | P25 DES-OFB |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Pinellas County, Florida?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Pinellas County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels. Check the local fire and EMS frequencies which often remain unencrypted even when police go encrypted.
Is police radio encrypted in Pinellas County?
Yes — 2 out of 8 agencies in Pinellas County use full encryption. An additional 6 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Pinellas County?
For Pinellas County, we recommend a scanner that covers VHF and UHF frequencies for fire, EMS, and weather — the Uniden BC125AT is the best value. For broader exploration, the RTL-SDR V4 with free SDRTrunk software can scan the full spectrum.