Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

There was a documentary on the radio in the UK about the amateur involvement
in "9/11".

In the documentary the statement was made that, in the USA, amateurs are
legally allowed to listen to the radio traffic of the emergency services.

Can anyone confirm this please and may put some details to it?

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

AFAIK anybody is allowed to listen to the radio traffic of the emergency
services if they have the equipment to do it.

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 20:14:44 GMT, "Brian Reay"
wrote:

There was a documentary on the radio in the UK about the amateur involvement
in "9/11".

In the documentary the statement was made that, in the USA, amateurs are
legally allowed to listen to the radio traffic of the emergency services.

Can anyone confirm this please and may put some details to it?

In general terms, there are no restrictions to the reception of
signals in the U.S. There are a couple of exceptions--one involves the
possession of radar detectors in a few states--I never have figured
out how that passes muster--federal preemption of RF matters and all
that.

The other really isn't an exception. It's more of an option permitted
to users. For example, many services encode their data to prevent
reception by other than authorized parties. Over the air television,
for example. Another, commonly used by police, particularly in
relatively large municipalities is a "voting" system of repeaters,
which entails the use of switching algorithms common within the
system, but unknown to those with scanners. It has the effect of
scrambling reception.

No one is restrained from receiving signals but no one is guaranteed
the right to understand them.

--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

"Brian Reay" wrote in message
...
There was a documentary on the radio in the UK about the amateur
involvement in "9/11".

In the documentary the statement was made that, in the USA, amateurs are
legally allowed to listen to the radio traffic of the emergency services.

Can anyone confirm this please and may put some details to it?

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk


Yes it is true. Actually the general population is also allowed to legally
listen to radio traffic of the emergency services. You can buy a scanner in
just about any store that handles radios. There are publications available
listing the frequencies used by the emergency services on an area by area
basis.

Some states do prohibit scanners in vehicles though. However, they do not
prohibit them in the home.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 20:14:44 GMT, "Brian Reay"
wrote:

There was a documentary on the radio in the UK about the amateur involvement
in "9/11".

In the documentary the statement was made that, in the USA, amateurs are
legally allowed to listen to the radio traffic of the emergency services.

Can anyone confirm this please and may put some details to it?

Some of the other replies may be a little off base. Federal law
prohibits listening to cellular and cordless telephones (yes,
cordless), transmissions by the news services (field to news center,
obviously not the evening TV or radio news broadcasts) and certain
federal frequencies.

States laws for all 50 states prohibit listing to police and other
emergency communications for gain, such as an independent tow truck
driver rushing to a car crash or to tak photographs which will be sold
unless you have the appropriate permit.

Also, state laws prohibit having a radio receiver capable of receiving
police, etc., broadcasts in a vehicle without a permit. Because the
10, 6, 2 and 70cm amateur band radios are capable of receiving police,
etc., communications licensed amateur radio operators are specifically
exempt from having such radios in their vehicles without a permit.

The bottom line is that amateurs are legally allowed to listen, but
not for financial gain. I hope this helps clear up any misinformation
floating around.

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

"Little O'Me" wrote in message
rdnews.com...
On Thu, 15 Dec 2005 20:14:44 GMT, "Brian Reay"
wrote:

There was a documentary on the radio in the UK about the amateur
involvement
in "9/11".

In the documentary the statement was made that, in the USA, amateurs are
legally allowed to listen to the radio traffic of the emergency services.

Can anyone confirm this please and may put some details to it?

Some of the other replies may be a little off base. Federal law
prohibits listening to cellular and cordless telephones (yes,
cordless), transmissions by the news services (field to news center,
obviously not the evening TV or radio news broadcasts) and certain
federal frequencies.

States laws for all 50 states prohibit listing to police and other
emergency communications for gain, such as an independent tow truck
driver rushing to a car crash or to tak photographs which will be sold
unless you have the appropriate permit.

Also, state laws prohibit having a radio receiver capable of receiving
police, etc., broadcasts in a vehicle without a permit. Because the
10, 6, 2 and 70cm amateur band radios are capable of receiving police,
etc., communications licensed amateur radio operators are specifically
exempt from having such radios in their vehicles without a permit.

The bottom line is that amateurs are legally allowed to listen, but
not for financial gain. I hope this helps clear up any misinformation
floating around.


Thank you and everyone else who responded.

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

Also, state laws prohibit having a radio receiver capable of receiving
police, etc., broadcasts in a vehicle without a permit.

A few states do. AFAIK California does not have this prohibition.

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

"Falky foo" wrote in message
. com...
Also, state laws prohibit having a radio receiver capable of receiving
police, etc., broadcasts in a vehicle without a permit.

A few states do. AFAIK California does not have this prohibitio


Oddly, and in opposition, most states DO allow scanner owners to listen to
emergency communications within one's home or place of business.

There are some states that prohibit this and a violation of the state
statutes can run anywhere from a misdemeanor to a minor Felony.

The charges, if any, are most often left up to the Officer who does a
traffic stop (most often where these scanner violations are found) and it is
left to "Officer Discretion" whether or not the Officer wishes to file
charges.

In many instances the Officer can confiscate the 'scanner' and the Courts
will return it after a court action.

Insofar as having a radio that receives public safety? Not a problem,
provided one is a licensed Ham.

Amateurs Listening to Police etc in the USA
 

"Lloyd II" NotRoger@anon wrote:


"Falky foo" wrote in message
.com...
Also, state laws prohibit having a radio receiver capable of receiving
police, etc., broadcasts in a vehicle without a permit.
snip

Insofar as having a radio that receives public safety? Not a problem,
provided one is a licensed Ham.

Drives them nuts when you wave at them when they run your plate :')