FPD Has Switched From Analog to Digital RadiosAs of 12:00 am November 1st, the Fostoria Police Department has indefinitely suspended the use of analog radio systems. This means that several hundred fostoria police scanner listeners in and around the city will no longer be able to hear FPD’s radio traffic on analog 453.3525 Mhz. Digital Radio vs Analog RadioAn analog radio works by picking up the audio signal from the transmission site along radio frequency waves known as carriers. This allows listeners to tune into analog stations on FM/AM frequencies from home radio and car equipment. You listen to the electrical radio waves as they are transmitted directly from the radio station to your analog radio. These radios waves are transmitted continuously, without interruption to the sound. Digital radio is the transmission and reception of sound processed into patterns of numbers, or “digits” – hence the term “digital radio.” In contrast, traditional analog radios process sounds into patterns of electrical signals that resemble sound waves. Digital radio reception is more resistant to interference and eliminates many imperfections of analog radio transmission and reception. There may be some interference to digital radio signals, however, in areas that are distant from a station’s transmitter. FM digital radio can provide clear sound comparable in quality to CDs, and AM digital radio can provide sound quality equivalent to that of standard analog FM. Remembering the 2009 Television Switch to DigitalON JUNE 12, 2009, THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) MANDATED THAT ALL U.S. BASED TELEVISION SIGNALS MUST BE TRANSMITTED DIGITALLY. THE GREAT MAJORITY OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS (97.5%) WERE PREPARED FOR THE DIGITAL TRANSITION IN THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE POWER TURN-OFF. NIELSEN DATA SHOWS UNPREPARED HOMES WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE MINORITIES, YOUNGER, LOWER INCOME, AND WERE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS. MOST HOMES ACQUIRED A DIGITAL CONVERTER BOX TO MAKE THEIR TELEVISION READY FOR THE CHANGE. The Benefits of The Switch to DigitalReduction in Criminal ActivityCutting out the use of basic analog signals and upgrading to digital should create positive results for Fostoria Police. Many criminals and drug dealers have access to cheap analog scanners. This allowed them to listen to police traffic in Fostoria while engaging in criminal activity. This switch may result in an increase of criminal apprehension by not allowing them to keep tabs on the department. Digital Signals = No StaticAnalog signals carry voice from the transmitting radio to the receiving radios. Digital signals carry packets of data allowing for a clean and static free transmission. How to Listen to Fostoria PD going forwardAt this time it is not possible to listen to FPD police traffic without knowing the specific radio criteria used by the department.