Sullivan County, Tennessee: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Sullivan County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Sullivan 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 Sullivan County
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Agencies in Sullivan County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Tennessee agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| City of Bluff City Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| City of Bluff City Volunteer Fire Department | fire | P25 ADP |
| City Of Bristol Tennessee Police Department | police | P25 AES-256 |
| City Of Bristol Tennessee Fire Rescue | fire | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Piney Falls Volunteer Fire Department | fire | P25 ADP |
| Hickory Tree Volunteer Fire Department | fire | P25 ADP |
| Sullivan County Sheriff's Office | sheriff | P25 ADP |
| Sullivan County Emergency Medical Services | ems | P25 ADP |
| Sullivan County Health Department | sheriff | P25 ADP |
| Sullivan County Volunteer Fire Department | fire | P25 ADP |
| Tri Cities Airport Authority | airport | P25 ADP |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Sullivan County, Tennessee?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Sullivan 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 Sullivan County?
Yes — 5 out of 11 agencies in Sullivan County use full encryption. An additional 6 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Sullivan County?
For Sullivan 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.