Belmont County, Ohio: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Belmont County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Belmont 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 Belmont County
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Agencies in Belmont County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Ohio agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Barnesville Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Bellair Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Belmont County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Bethesda Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Bridgeport Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Flushing Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Martins Ferry Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Morristown Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Powhattan Point | other | P25 AES-256 |
| Richland Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Shadyside Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| St. Clairsville Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Belmont County, Ohio?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Belmont 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 Belmont County?
Yes — 11 out of 12 agencies in Belmont County use full encryption. An additional 1 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Belmont County?
For Belmont 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.