Bexar County, TX police scanner: police are encrypted. Here's what you can still hear.
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026
Bexar County / San Antonio public-safety radio (agencies not separated in source): The Texas Association of Broadcasters says Bexar County radio has been encrypted for over 30 years, but newsrooms may buy receive-only radios loaded with the keys. The public cannot listen; the press can. (Scope: most traffic; newsroom receive-only access.) This covers the shared city and county radio; the source doesn't separate agencies.
We haven't found an official or news source on fire radio encryption here yet. The FCC licenses below show whether the county's channels are analog or digital, not whether they are encrypted.
We haven't found an official or news source on EMS radio encryption here yet. The FCC licenses below show whether the county's channels are analog or digital, not whether they are encrypted.
What you can still hear
- Bexar County / San Antonio public-safety radio (agencies not separated in source) on an old analog scanner: No, needs a digital P25 scanner (FCC licenses).
- Bexar County / San Antonio public-safety radio (agencies not separated in source) (most traffic; newsroom receive-only access): encrypted, so no scanner hears it.
- Old analog scanner, county-wide: Mostly no: most main channels are digital (FCC licenses).
Agency by agency
Bexar County / San Antonio public-safety radio (agencies not separated in source)
Reported encryptedWhat: most traffic; newsroom receive-only access
Old analog scanner: No, needs a digital P25 scanner (FCC licenses)
Analog or digital?
Works on an old analog scanner? Mostly no: most main channels are digital. About 10 in 10 of the main licensees' channels with a clear mode are digital-only.
- Digital only: 93%
- Analog only: 5%
- Licensed for both: 2%
389 voice channels of the main licensees; 26 licensees with voice channels in the county. Licenses show analog or digital, never encryption. FCC ULS license file of 18 Oct 2026
Recommended scanner
Mostly digital (P25) Works on an old analog scanner? Mostly no: most main channels are digital. About 10 in 10 of the main licensees' channels with a clear mode are digital-only. From FCC licenses, which don't show encryption.
Top pick
Uniden SDS100 (handheld)
The county's main licensed channels are mostly digital. 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.
- $689.99 Amazon
- $699.99 ScannerMaster
Prices as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
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.
- $351.49 Amazon
Price as of 19 Oct 2026
We earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change your price.
What NOT to buy
- An analog-only scanner. The county's main channels are digital, so it would hear only a few.
- Anything sold as an “encryption decoder.” It won't play encrypted traffic.
Questions
Can I still listen to Bexar County, TX police on a scanner?
Encrypted: Bexar County / San Antonio public-safety radio (agencies not separated in source) (most traffic; newsroom receive-only access). Police agencies not named here haven't been checked yet.
Do I need a digital scanner in Bexar County, TX?
Mostly no: most main channels are digital. About 10 in 10 of the main licensees' channels with a clear mode are digital-only. Licenses show whether a channel is analog or digital, not whether it's encrypted.
Which scanner should I buy for Bexar County, TX?
Uniden SDS100 ($689.99 at Amazon, price as of 19 Oct 2026). The county's main licensed channels are mostly digital. 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.
Are fire and EMS radios encrypted in Bexar County, TX?
Fire: Not checked yet. EMS: Not checked yet. "Not checked yet" means we haven't found an official or news source so far.
Where does this information come from?
The analog or digital answer comes from the FCC's public license file of 18 Oct 2026: the voice channels licensed to public safety agencies with transmitter sites in the county. Encryption comes from official statements and news reports, each listed under Sources with its date.
Cities in this county
San Antonio · Helotes · Converse · Live Oak · Leon Valley · Alamo Heights · Windcrest · Balcones Heights · Grey Forest