Multnomah County, Oregon: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Multnomah County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Multnomah 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 Multnomah County
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Agencies in Multnomah County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Oregon agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Gresham Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Multnomah County Sheriff's Office | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Portland Police Bureau | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Multnomah County, Oregon?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Multnomah 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 Multnomah County?
Yes — 1 out of 3 agencies in Multnomah County use full encryption. An additional 2 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Multnomah County?
For Multnomah 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.