Roanoke County, Virginia: Police Scanner Guide
Most police and sheriff agencies in Roanoke County have gone encrypted. You can still monitor fire, EMS, weather broadcasts, and any remaining unencrypted channels.
What You Can Still Monitor in Roanoke 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 Roanoke County
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Agencies in Roanoke County
Data from the RadioReference database and direct verification. View all Virginia agencies →
| Agency | Type | Encryption |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke City Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| Roanoke County Fire Rescue | fire | P25 ADP |
| Rocky Mount Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| Salem Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
| Vinton Police Department | police | P25 ADP |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I monitor in Roanoke County, Virginia?
Most police and sheriff agencies in Roanoke 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 Roanoke County?
Yes — 4 out of 5 agencies in Roanoke County use full encryption. An additional 1 use partial encryption. Fire and EMS frequently remain unencrypted.
What scanner do I need for Roanoke County?
For Roanoke 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.