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Legal to carry a scanner
Hi guys,
Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. |
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff said:
Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. In many areas that I have lived, it was only illegal to carry a scanner if 1) you were using it to commit a crime, and 2) if you are a convicted felon. Check with your local law enforcment agency, laws vary on this. n. |
You look to be in the clear, however, who knows these days. I'd check with
a local State Police post with regard to the laws in your state... Information provided by: http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html "Sandy Hoff" wrote in message ... Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. |
"PowerHouse Communications" wrote in message ... You look to be in the clear, however, who knows these days. I'd check with a local State Police post with regard to the laws in your state... Let sleeping dogs lie!!! |
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff
wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. I believe licensed HAM's can carry a scanner even in areas where local laws prohibit the practice. Check with your local police. Kirk "Moe, Larry, the cheese!", Curly |
Sandy Hoff wrote:
Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. Hi It's probably legal as long as you're not using it for an illegal purpose. On the other hand, Murphy's law says any police officer who pulls you over and finds the scanner will not know this or will presume you're using it illegally. There's not much percentage in arguing with a police officer who has pulled you over, even if you are right. So if you're not using it, keep it out of sight, and don't volunteer that you have one if you get pulled over. |
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff
wrote: Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? It varys by state. Some places its illegal to carry a scanner without a ham license. Michigan for one unless they changed it. Gunner "She's (my daughter) already dating a sex offender. Better that than a republican fundie neocon fascist." FF, (alt.machines.cnc) |
The anonymous lowlife
"Gunner" wrote in message ... Gunner "She's (my daughter) already dating a sex offender. Better that than a republican fundie neocon fascist." FF, (alt.machines.cnc) Hopefully you are unable to pass your genes on, but if you had a daughter, I hope she never experiences the real scum of a father that you could be. I think you should be hunted down. Jack Painter Virginia Beach |
You could get a CB with weather radio coverage, or a ham transceiver with
extended receive (get your license first). I have a scanner in my car, but it's mounted in the dash, and when I get pulled over, I make sure it's turned off ! jw k9rzz |
If and when TSHTF the mushroom cloud will get ya before the scanner tell's
you to bend over, place your head firmly between your legs and kiss your abs goodbye! So what if it's illegal? It's illegal to speed, beat the wife and tons of other things folks do everyday, not me, others! If you want one get one, go get it. If it "illegal" in your area find one on ebay. Now if you are robbing jewerly stores and using it to figure out how long till the cops get there your probably going to prison anyway so whats another few months for having a scanner. "Sandy Hoff" wrote in message ... Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. |
Sandy Hoff wrote:
Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? If it's not illegal, but it can be like incriminating evidence :o/ Small time drug dealers use them a lot. There's a world of difference in how the police view it between having one in your home or having it in your car. Why would you have one IN YOUR CAR either to evade police or go to crime scenes? I have no interest in monitoring the police. Why would you need it in your car just to know what's going on? I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. A good AM radio can pick up AM stations a long way away. |
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff
wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. And listen to Howie Carr? I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. |
"Sandy Hoff" wrote in message ... Hi guys, Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I asked a Oklahoma highway patrolman that question when he pulled me over. He told me that I was OK as long as I wasn't using it in the commission of a crime or making a pest out of myself by checking out wrecks, drug busts and such. Ask your local law enforcement. Dave |
"Gunner" wrote in message ... On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? It varys by state. Some places its illegal to carry a scanner without a ham license. Michigan for one unless they changed it. Minnesota is another one of those states that insists you have a ham license to carry scanning equipment in your car. If you aren't a ham, one can apply for a permit to have one too. Jackie |
Burr wrote:
"PowerHouse Communications" wrote in message ... You look to be in the clear, however, who knows these days. I'd check with a local State Police post with regard to the laws in your state... Let sleeping dogs lie!!! Wonderful advice. Nothing like getting put a 'suspicious person' list for asking an innocent question from YOUR OWN civil servants.. mike |
Yes, but be prepared to show a copy of your license if you are asked.
"'Captain' Kirk DeHaan" wrote in message ... On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. I believe licensed HAM's can carry a scanner even in areas where local laws prohibit the practice. Check with your local police. Kirk "Moe, Larry, the cheese!", Curly |
Warren Waters wrote:
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. And listen to Howie Carr? Who? |
Jim Douglas wrote:
If and when TSHTF the mushroom cloud will get ya before the scanner tell's you to bend over, place your head firmly between your legs and kiss your abs goodbye! There are other scenarios besides a mushroom cloud. |
Willcox wrote:
Sandy Hoff wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? If it's not illegal, but it can be like incriminating evidence :o/ Small time drug dealers use them a lot. There's a world of difference in how the police view it between having one in your home or having it in your car. Why would you have one IN YOUR CAR either to evade police or go to crime scenes? I have no interest in monitoring the police. Why would you need it in your car just to know what's going on? I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. A good AM radio can pick up AM stations a long way away. But not NOAA weather radio at 162.5mHz. |
m II wrote:
Burr wrote: "PowerHouse Communications" wrote in message ... You look to be in the clear, however, who knows these days. I'd check with a local State Police post with regard to the laws in your state... Let sleeping dogs lie!!! Wonderful advice. Nothing like getting put a 'suspicious person' list for asking an innocent question from YOUR OWN civil servants.. That's why such phone calls are made from a public phone with a bogus name. |
That is about 75% of the reason I went and got my FCC license - to legally
have a scanner in my vehicle. It is well worth the effort. Now that I am a ham radio op I do 2-meters on the road now, too...beats the hell out of CB:) "Sandy Hoff" wrote in message ... Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. |
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 15:21:25 GMT, Gunner
wrote: On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? It varys by state. Some places its illegal to carry a scanner without a ham license. Michigan for one unless they changed it. You might check the archives of this group for a recent thread using the words "mobile" and "installed" There was an issue in some state over language in the law about requiring mobile scanners to be "installed" i.e., does a simple lighter power plug constitute "installed" or must it be hard-wired and non-removable? Gunner "She's (my daughter) already dating a sex offender. Better that than a republican fundie neocon fascist." FF, (alt.machines.cnc) |
Sandy Hoff wrote:
m II wrote: Burr wrote: "PowerHouse Communications" wrote in message ... You look to be in the clear, however, who knows these days. I'd check with a local State Police post with regard to the laws in your state... Let sleeping dogs lie!!! Wonderful advice. Nothing like getting put a 'suspicious person' list for asking an innocent question from YOUR OWN civil servants.. That's why such phone calls are made from a public phone with a bogus name. It's a pretty frightening state of affairs when your advice makes perfect sense. mike |
"m II" wrote in message
news:XstZc.85351$X12.27248@edtnps84... That's why such phone calls are made from a public phone with a bogus name. It's a pretty frightening state of affairs when your advice makes perfect sense. mike Unfortunately few of the police officers would really know what they are talkinga bout when it comes to enforcement about laws on scanners and would probably give you the wrong answer out of ignorance or misguided intentions. Thankfully in Australia, the power to regulate scanning and other communications issues rests with our commonwealth government (i.e. federal government) so the state government (and police forces) have no powers to deal with the issues relating to communications. Have seen a couple of state coppers very ****ed off when it was pointed out to them they they had no legal right to confiscate scanners etc (unless used in the commission of a crime) - still, it makes sense not to be too open when using your scanners. Matt |
"Sandy Hoff" wrote in message
... m II wrote: Burr wrote: "PowerHouse Communications" wrote in message ... You look to be in the clear, however, who knows these days. I'd check with a local State Police post with regard to the laws in your state... Let sleeping dogs lie!!! Wonderful advice. Nothing like getting put a 'suspicious person' list for asking an innocent question from YOUR OWN civil servants.. That's why such phone calls are made from a public phone with a bogus name. Exactly what I was thinking... |
Ham operators are legally able to carry scanners as a part of their
"licensed obligation" to carry and forward emergency information to the general public. Joe blow is generally frowned on about having a scanner because the police immediately suspect that you would only need the use of the scanner to evade the police in the commision of a crime. Or something to that effect. You should check with your local smokey to be sure. Larry "'Captain' Kirk DeHaan" wrote in message ... On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. I believe licensed HAM's can carry a scanner even in areas where local laws prohibit the practice. Check with your local police. Kirk "Moe, Larry, the cheese!", Curly |
First of all, there are only three kinds of people to a cop. Cops,
cop's families and suspects. Second, never ask a cop about the law. They don't know dick about it. If they did, they'd be lawyers. Russ On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 19:09:17 -0700, "Larry Splane" wrote: Ham operators are legally able to carry scanners as a part of their "licensed obligation" to carry and forward emergency information to the general public. Joe blow is generally frowned on about having a scanner because the police immediately suspect that you would only need the use of the scanner to evade the police in the commision of a crime. Or something to that effect. You should check with your local smokey to be sure. Larry "'Captain' Kirk DeHaan" wrote in message .. . On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:54:24 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Hi guys, Long time listener, first time caller here. I have a question. Is it legal to carry a police scanner in my car? I have no interest in monitoring the police. I have the scanner in case TSHTF and I need to hear what's going on. Wind direction and weather from KEC83, local radio, instructions. That sort of thing. I live in Maryland and work in Baltimore City. I Googled but didn't come up with much. Maybe a good site recommendation? Thank you guys. Great NGs, very informative. Sandy. I believe licensed HAM's can carry a scanner even in areas where local laws prohibit the practice. Check with your local police. Kirk "Moe, Larry, the cheese!", Curly |
In article , R David Steele wrote:
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 03:18:38 GMT, Never anonymous Bud wrote: |Trying to steal the thunder from Arnold, "Larry Splane" on Thu, 2 Sep 2004 19:09:17 -0700 |spoke: | | Ham operators are legally able to carry scanners as a part of their |"licensed obligation" to carry and forward emergency information to the |general public. | |Hams CAN NOT carry just scanners in violation of local law. | |The FCC has an exemption for HAM radios that ALSO function as scanners. Actually that depends on how the individual state legislature wrote the law. In most states that have exemptions, it reads only about receiving equipment that covers police frequencies. Nothing said about ham freqs, just that those with ham licenses or General Radio Operator License (GROL, ie a radio professional) are exempt. Remember that they police like having something to hold over you. Being able to take your license away if you get out of hand is generally enough to satisfy them. ??? Police can't take away your amateur license. Only the FCC can do that. Remember how society is structured these days. It is about control over your behavior. Thus being able get you fired or such. Thus cops are given "freedom" as they can be fired. What the left wants is to be able to completely restrict those who are without jobs thus outside the boundaries of control. "If ye love wealth better than liberty ... servitude better than ... freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsel or your arms ... May your chains set lightly upon you. May posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams |
Ok Barry I'll help ya out with that one -
TSHTF - The **** Hits The Fan (I assume:) "Barry OGrady" wrote in message ... On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 11:38:51 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Jim Douglas wrote: If and when TSHTF the mushroom cloud will get ya before the scanner tell's you to bend over, place your head firmly between your legs and kiss your abs goodbye! There are other scenarios besides a mushroom cloud. TSHTF? -Barry ======== Web page: http://members.iinet.net.au/~barry.og Atheist, radio scanner, LIPD information. |
On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 23:09:26 +1000, Barry OGrady
wrote: On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 11:38:51 GMT, Sandy Hoff wrote: Jim Douglas wrote: If and when TSHTF the mushroom cloud will get ya before the scanner tell's you to bend over, place your head firmly between your legs and kiss your abs goodbye! Your ABS??? That's way more contortion than most people can handle. |
"Russ" wrote in message ... First of all, there are only three kinds of people to a cop. Cops, cop's families and suspects. Second, never ask a cop about the law. They don't know dick about it. If they did, they'd be lawyers. True. Which is why even a ham should print out and carry a copy of their states' statutes regarding scanners if they live in a state like Minnesota; i.e. where only hams can have scanners in their cars (or if you've gotten a "special permit" from the state to have one in your car). Even though I don't have a scanner in my car, many mobile amateur radios have extended coverage that can pick up the police bands in the 150 MHz range, which makes them "scanners". I printed out a copy of the Minnesota state statute and a copy of my amateur radio license and I keep them in my glove compartment, just in case I ever get pulled over and a cop notices my 2 meter radio. The statute's very clear as to who can and cannot have a "scanner" in their car in Minnesota. Jackie |
KB1GEJ wrote in message ... Hams are allowed to have a mobile radio that can receive police communications IF that function is secondary to the amateur communication function. At least that's how I interpret the law. Many dual and tri-band fm transceivers have wideband receive as a bonus. A *scanner* might still get you in trouble. Hams better make sure there is a copy of their amateur radio license in the car with them, no matter what kind of radio/scanner they have in their cars. I don't think a cop can or will care much about the difference between a mobile amateur 2 meter rig and a scanner. Jackie |
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 23:38:34 GMT, "Buzzygirl"
wrote: "Russ" wrote in message .. . First of all, there are only three kinds of people to a cop. Cops, cop's families and suspects. Second, never ask a cop about the law. They don't know dick about it. If they did, they'd be lawyers. True. Which is why even a ham should print out and carry a copy of their states' statutes regarding scanners if they live in a state like Minnesota; i.e. where only hams can have scanners in their cars (or if you've gotten a "special permit" from the state to have one in your car). Even though I don't have a scanner in my car, many mobile amateur radios have extended coverage that can pick up the police bands in the 150 MHz range, which makes them "scanners". Is this a legal definition? I would expect that a scanner would have to have the capability of automatically "scanning" a number of frequencies. Not that this would dissuade the kind of cop who takes your carrying such documentation as a personal challenge to his authority. I printed out a copy of the Minnesota state statute and a copy of my amateur radio license and I keep them in my glove compartment, just in case I ever get pulled over and a cop notices my 2 meter radio. The statute's very clear as to who can and cannot have a "scanner" in their car in Minnesota. Jackie |
wrote in message ... On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 23:38:34 GMT, "Buzzygirl" Is this a legal definition? I would expect that a scanner would have to have the capability of automatically "scanning" a number of frequencies. Here is the text of the Minnesota statute... you will see it says nothing about "scanning" frequencies. A "scanner" here is defined as a device which can receive police frequencies: "299C.37 Police communication equipment; use, sale. Subdivision 1. Use regulated. (a) No person other than peace officers within the state, the members of the State Patrol, and persons who hold an amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission, shall equip any motor vehicle with any radio equipment or combination of equipment, capable of receiving any radio signal, message, or information from any police emergency frequency, or install, use, or possess the equipment in a motor vehicle without permission from the superintendent of the bureau upon a form prescribed by the superintendent." Not that this would dissuade the kind of cop who takes your carrying such documentation as a personal challenge to his authority. I would bring it up to a judge in traffic court and lodge a formal complaint with the PD, if it had to go that far. Jackie |
"Buzzygirl" wrote:
Not that this would dissuade the kind of cop who takes your carrying such documentation as a personal challenge to his authority. I would bring it up to a judge in traffic court and lodge a formal complaint with the PD, if it had to go that far. Hah. You don't remember the case of the kid who was an ARES worker a few years ago... had an RS HTX-202, which had no out-of-band capabilities at all, cop stopped him, kerchunked his radio and -- surprise! -- it desensed his police radio. Confiscation and charges ensued. It took a lot of work and time (years) to get it untangled, and it was a headline issue with ARRL for quite a while. The only good news to come out of it was that particular police department got publicised as the ****heads they were. I wonder if there's an active ARES chapter left there... ....search engines are wonderful. Here's a more accurate summary of the endgame: Charges dismissed in Godsey case: It took more than two years, but all charges against a Kentucky ham for impersonating a public servant and disorderly conduct finally were dropped in December. Greg Godsey, KF4BDY, of Hopkinsville, was just shy of his seventeenth birthday when he was arrested by police in his hometown. At the time, Godsey was active in ARES as Christian County EC. He claims the impersonation charge stemmed from his ARES association. Police also had charged Godsey with carrying a scanner capable of receiving police frequencies and confiscated his Radio Shack HTX-202. The scanner charge reportedly was dismissed in court the following month, and his H-T was returned to him. The other charges had remained on the court docket, however. Godsey, now 19, said the charges were dropped in December after he agreed to not sue anybody over the matter. Godsey says he and his family spent more than $3000 fighting the charges against him. Source: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/1999/02/23/3/ I would have ****in' sued to bankrupt the city. Not that I'm bitter about power-mad authority types, oh, no. (Local situation is much better and I am an ARES member. Cops here actually treat us with respect, and get the same in return.) -- Eric F. Richards, "Making me root for a sanctimonious statist blowhard like Kerry isn't the worst thing Bush has done to the country. But it's the offense that I take most personally." -- http://www.reason.com/links/links071304.shtml |
"Eric F. Richards" wrote in message ... "Buzzygirl" wrote: Hah. You don't remember the case of the kid who was an ARES worker a few years ago... had an RS HTX-202, which had no out-of-band capabilities at all, cop stopped him, kerchunked his radio and -- surprise! -- it desensed his police radio. Confiscation and charges ensued. No, I didn't hear about that. Our tax dollars at work. (Local situation is much better and I am an ARES member. Cops here actually treat us with respect, and get the same in return.) Fortunately, I believe it's the same way here, at least with several PDs I've worked with. They have actually requested the assistance of a couple of local clubs I've belonged to when there've been local fairs and large events. I also belong to a club that works directly with county public emergency personnel. Perhaps this is the exception rather than the rule. Jackie |
"Buzzygirl" wrote:
"Eric F. Richards" wrote in message ... "Buzzygirl" wrote: Hah. You don't remember the case of the kid who was an ARES worker a few years ago... had an RS HTX-202, which had no out-of-band capabilities at all, cop stopped him, kerchunked his radio and -- surprise! -- it desensed his police radio. Confiscation and charges ensued. No, I didn't hear about that. Our tax dollars at work. (Local situation is much better and I am an ARES member. Cops here actually treat us with respect, and get the same in return.) Fortunately, I believe it's the same way here, at least with several PDs I've worked with. They have actually requested the assistance of a couple of local clubs I've belonged to when there've been local fairs and large events. I also belong to a club that works directly with county public emergency personnel. Perhaps this is the exception rather than the rule. But there are a lot of exceptions. Michigan and Pennsylvania are notorious. I'd work with the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, any humanitarian organization you could think of in those two states, but I would never, ever work with any of their police departments. Jackie -- Eric F. Richards, "Making me root for a sanctimonious statist blowhard like Kerry isn't the worst thing Bush has done to the country. But it's the offense that I take most personally." -- http://www.reason.com/links/links071304.shtml |
I would have pushed to have the cop charged with impersonating an
amateur radio operator and for transmitting on the ham bands without a license Eric F. Richards wrote: Hah. You don't remember the case of the kid who was an ARES worker a few years ago... had an RS HTX-202, which had no out-of-band capabilities at all, cop stopped him, kerchunked his radio and -- surprise! -- it desensed his police radio. Confiscation and charges ensued. It took a lot of work and time (years) to get it untangled, and it was a headline issue with ARRL for quite a while. The only good news to come out of it was that particular police department got publicised as the ****heads they were. I wonder if there's an active ARES chapter left there... ...search engines are wonderful. Here's a more accurate summary of the endgame: Charges dismissed in Godsey case: It took more than two years, but all charges against a Kentucky ham for impersonating a public servant and disorderly conduct finally were dropped in December. Greg Godsey, KF4BDY, of Hopkinsville, was just shy of his seventeenth birthday when he was arrested by police in his hometown. At the time, Godsey was active in ARES as Christian County EC. He claims the impersonation charge stemmed from his ARES association. Police also had charged Godsey with carrying a scanner capable of receiving police frequencies and confiscated his Radio Shack HTX-202. The scanner charge reportedly was dismissed in court the following month, and his H-T was returned to him. The other charges had remained on the court docket, however. Godsey, now 19, said the charges were dropped in December after he agreed to not sue anybody over the matter. Godsey says he and his family spent more than $3000 fighting the charges against him. Source: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/1999/02/23/3/ I would have ****in' sued to bankrupt the city. Not that I'm bitter about power-mad authority types, oh, no. |
On Mon, 06 Sep 2004 09:11:13 -0600, Eric F. Richards
wrote: "Buzzygirl" wrote: Not that this would dissuade the kind of cop who takes your carrying such documentation as a personal challenge to his authority. I would bring it up to a judge in traffic court and lodge a formal complaint with the PD, if it had to go that far. Hah. You don't remember the case of the kid who was an ARES worker a few years ago... had an RS HTX-202, which had no out-of-band capabilities at all, cop stopped him, kerchunked his radio and -- surprise! -- it desensed his police radio. Confiscation and charges ensued. It took a lot of work and time (years) to get it untangled, and it was a headline issue with ARRL for quite a while. The only good news to come out of it was that particular police department got publicised as the ****heads they were. I wonder if there's an active ARES chapter left there... ...search engines are wonderful. Here's a more accurate summary of the endgame: Charges dismissed in Godsey case: It took more than two years, but all charges against a Kentucky ham for impersonating a public servant and disorderly conduct finally were dropped in December. Greg Godsey, KF4BDY, of Hopkinsville, was just shy of his seventeenth birthday when he was arrested by police in his hometown. At the time, Godsey was active in ARES as Christian County EC. He claims the impersonation charge stemmed from his ARES association. Police also had charged Godsey with carrying a scanner capable of receiving police frequencies and confiscated his Radio Shack HTX-202. The scanner charge reportedly was dismissed in court the following month, and his H-T was returned to him. The other charges had remained on the court docket, however. Godsey, now 19, said the charges were dropped in December after he agreed to not sue anybody over the matter. Nice bit of cop thuggery there -- we'll sustain charges against you, probably ruining your chances of getting a job to support yourself with, unless you, in effect hold us harmless from any suit based on our thuggery Wouldn't the correct description be "extortion under color of authority"? "Challenge my authority and enter a living hell for as long as I choose to make it so, especially if you're in the right." Godsey says he and his family spent more than $3000 fighting the charges against him. Source: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/1999/02/23/3/ I would have ****in' sued to bankrupt the city. Not that I'm bitter about power-mad authority types, oh, no. (Local situation is much better and I am an ARES member. Cops here actually treat us with respect, and get the same in return.) |
It is not unlawful to listen to law enforcement transmissions
in the US. What is unlawful is to tell another person what you heard. wrote in message caldomain... -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Unfortunately few of the police officers would really know what they are talkinga bout when it comes to enforcement about laws on scanners and would probably give you the wrong answer out of ignorance or misguided intentions. Thankfully in Australia, the power to regulate scanning and other communications issues rests with our commonwealth government (i.e. federal government) so the state government (and police forces) have no powers to deal with the issues relating to communications. Have seen a couple of state coppers very ****ed off when it was pointed out to them they they had no legal right to confiscate scanners etc (unless used in the commission of a crime) - still, it makes sense not to be too open when using your scanners. In theory only the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has jurisdiction over radio matters. No US state has made OWNING a scanner a crime. I doubt they could. They're FCC type accepted and the FCC has said they're legal in this country. However states and municipalities have passed varying degrees of restrictions on where you can use a scanner. Some get downright ridiculous. Alachua County, Florida passed (or tried to pass) an ordinance banning the monitoring of their digital TRS and possessing information about it (frequencies, talkgroups, etc.). I don't know where that one went. I just say use common sense and discretion and you'll have almost nothing to worry about. - -- John Mayson Austin, Texas, USA -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.2.1 (Linux) iD8DBQFBSNai2kz4fWh3iuERAqOqAJ9tWExyOHF4qxdYaBoDGe OhsTzfSACfeMke eVkSo/gTlqCft2IB/IFxSHk= =8gh/ -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- |
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