Scanner Master
Scanner Master, founded in 1978 in Holliston, Massachusetts, is the self-described oldest and largest U.S. scanner-only retailer, selling Uniden and Whistler police scanners, accessories, and programming services directly to hobbyists, first responders, media, and government buyers via e-commerce and phone sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersHolliston, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Scanner Master does
Scanner Master is a privately held, U.S.-based specialty e-commerce retailer of police scanners, radios, and related accessories, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Holliston, Massachusetts. The company self-positions as the nation's oldest and largest scanner-only dealer, selling hardware from Uniden-Bearcat and Whistler across base/mobile and portable form factors with price points ranging from approximately $129 entry-level analog units to $749.99 flagship software-defined radio models. Its core technical differentiator is the HomeTown Programming service, a custom configuration offering in which staff pre-program scanners with local frequencies, trunked system parameters, and digital P25/DMR/NXDN settings before shipment, supported by a strategic partnership with RadioReference.com for the U.S. and Canada frequency database. Customer support is delivered via a 1-800-SCANNER phone line, online chat, and email.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer model exclusively, with no disclosed third-party distribution, serving hobbyists, first responders, media, racing teams, truckers, and government buyers. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (the primary stream), HomeTown Programming services priced by county scope ($39.95-$79.95), resale of third-party programming software (BuTel ARC suite, Comtekk, Whistler EZ Scan), accessories (antennas, cases, power, cables), and recurring RadioReference database subscriptions. A content marketing footprint (blog, Learning Center, newsletter, SEO) and an affiliate program support customer acquisition. The company employs 1-10 people, has no external funding, no M&A history, and no disclosed leadership changes, consistent with a stable, owner-operated specialty retailer.
Scanner Master firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scanner Master
- Legal name
- Scanner Master
- Website
- https://scannermaster.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Scanner Master, founded in 1978 in Holliston, Massachusetts, is the self-described oldest and largest U.S. scanner-only retailer, selling Uniden and Whistler police scanners, accessories, and programming services directly to hobbyists, first responders, media, and government buyers via e-commerce and phone sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Scanner Master is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Holliston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Scanner Master business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling police scanner radios from brands including Uniden, Whistler, and related equipment. Includes base/mobile scanners, portable scanners, and pre-programmed packages.
- Custom Programming Services: HomeTown Programming services where scanners are professionally configured for specific geographic areas, including local frequencies, trunking systems, and organized Favorites Lists before shipping.
- Software Sales: Resale of scanner programming software including ARC536, ARC260, ARCXT, ARC Patrol from BuTel and AOR, as well as Comtekk decoder software.
- Accessories: Sales of accessories including antennas (Mobile, Portable, Base, Professional, Indoor), carrying cases, power accessories, cables, brackets, mounts, speakers, and headsets.
- Frequency Database Subscriptions: RadioReference database subscriptions providing access to updated public safety radio system information for scanner programming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level analog scanners |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range base/mobile scanners |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Advanced digital scanners |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | County-based programming services |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Scanner programming software |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Digital mode upgrades |
| Subscription | Annual | RadioReference database subscriptions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories and peripherals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Scanner Master product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scanner Master is a specialty retailer that sells police and radio scanners from manufacturers such as Uniden and Whistler, along with antennas, cables, software, and related accessories. The company also provides the HomeTown Programming service, where scanners are custom-configured with regional frequency data before shipment, lowering the setup burden for end users.
Product overview
Scanner Master is a specialized police scanner retailer and service provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of radio scanner products from major manufacturers Uniden-Bearcat and Whistler, along with programming services, accessories, and software. The product lineup spans base/mobile scanners (SDS200, BCD996P2, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, TRX-2), portable/handheld scanners (SDS150, SDS100, BCD436HP, BCD325P2, TRX-1, BC125AT, SR30C, WS1040, WS1010), and specialty radios (BearTracker 885 CB). Core differentiators include the Setup & Optimize programming service, custom pre-programming for local channels, and a nationwide database partnership with RadioReference.com. Accessories include GPS receivers, antennas, carrying cases, power accessories, and programming cables. The company also offers Rangecast remote monitoring software and SportSync TV-radio synchronization products. Scanner Master serves hobbyists, first responders, media, and government/commercial customers with expert support and same-day shipping.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Uniden BearTracker Scanner
Quantifiable outcome
- Scanners arrive ready to listen right out of the box with pre-programmed local channels
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Scanner Master
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Scanner Master technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
Scanner Master partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- RadioReference.comcoreScanner Master is a proud partner of RadioReference.com, integrating the RadioReference database into their scanner products and programming services. This provides customers access to the most comprehensive US and Canada public safety radio system database for zip code-based scanning and automatic local channel configuration.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Scanner Master competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Scanner Master social profiles
Digital presenceScanner Master financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scanner Master leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Scanner Master funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scanner Master M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Scanner Master
What does Scanner Master do?
Scanner Master is a specialty retailer that sells police and radio scanners from manufacturers such as Uniden and Whistler, along with antennas, cables, software, and related accessories. The company also provides the HomeTown Programming service, where scanners are custom-configured with regional frequency data before shipment, lowering the setup burden for end users.
Is Scanner Master a public or private company?
Scanner Master is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Scanner Master founded?
Scanner Master was founded in 1978. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Scanner Master based?
Scanner Master is headquartered in Holliston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Scanner Master make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Programming Services, software Sales, accessories and frequency Database Subscriptions.
Does Scanner Master have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scanner Master.