Beaufort County, South Carolina: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Beaufort County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Beaufort 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 Beaufort County
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Agencies in Beaufort County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all South Carolina agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County Sheriff | sheriff | P25 AES-256 |
| Beaufort County Fire | fire | P25 AES-256 |
| Beaufort Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Bluffton Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Burton Fire Department | fire | P25 AES-256 |
| Port Royal Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Yemmassee Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Beaufort County, South Carolina?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Beaufort 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 Beaufort County?
Yes — 3 out of 7 agencies in Beaufort County use full encryption. An additional 4 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Beaufort County?
For Beaufort 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.