Can I still listen to police scanners in Altavista, VA?
Based on FCC license data, not yet confirmed by the agency. We haven't confirmed with Altavista's police or fire department whether their radio is encrypted. Source: FCC ULS license file of 18 Oct 2026, checked 27 Oct 2026.
What the FCC licenses show
Public safety channels in Campbell County, VA are a mix of analog and digital (59% digital, 41% analog, 0% both). Licenses don't show encryption, so some channels may still be encrypted.
1 public safety licensee in the FCC file belongs to Altavista, with 4 voice channels: 4 analog only, 0 digital only, 0 licensed for both.
| Licensee (FCC) | Call signs | Can an analog scanner hear it? |
|---|---|---|
| ALTAVISTA, TOWN OF | 2 | Yes |
Counted over each licensee's voice channels in the FCC file, leaving out the national interoperability channels every agency licenses. Yes: at least 3 in 4 are analog only. No: at least 3 in 4 are digital only. Some channels: in between. No voice channels listed: the license only lists data channels, such as station alerting. A license doesn't show encryption.
FCC source: FCC ULS license file, file date 18 Oct 2026, as of 27 Oct 2026.
Which scanner works here
Public safety radio around Altavista (Campbell County) has both analog and digital licenses. No scanner can play encrypted channels.
Top pick
Uniden SDS100 (handheld)
Public safety radio around Altavista has both analog and digital licenses. A digital P25 Phase II scanner hears analog and P25, wherever traffic isn't encrypted. It also handles simulcast sites, which licenses don't show.
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Cheaper P25 option
Whistler WS1065 (desk)
Hears P25 Phase I and II, but can struggle near simulcast sites. A good choice if you've confirmed the local system isn't simulcast.
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Analog only
Uniden BC125AT (handheld)
Hears only the analog channels, which here are part of the picture.
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