Tarrant County, Texas: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Tarrant County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Tarrant 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 Tarrant County
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Agencies in Tarrant County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Texas agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| City of Arlington | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Dalworthington Gardens | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Grand Prairie | other | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Fort Worth | military | P25 AES-256 |
| City of Pantego | other | P25 AES-256 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport | airport | P25 AES-256 |
| Burleson Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Forest Hill Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Everman Township Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
| Arlington Police | police | P25 AES-256 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Tarrant County, Texas?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Tarrant 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 Tarrant County?
Yes — 5 out of 10 agencies in Tarrant County use full encryption. An additional 4 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Tarrant County?
For Tarrant 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.