A:Answer Scanners are a receptive technology, they pick up any radio frequency that is strong enough for them to do so. The range you can hear something is based entirely on the transmission strength of the transmission source. A two way radio you may need to be within 2 miles, a public safety transmission you may be able to hear from 15-30 miles (or more) and you may be able to hear an AM broadcast from a couple hundred miles away.