Any issues using a CB & Scanner in the car?

NYRHKY94 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 12:29 PM

Hi Guys:

I wanted to know if there are any issues transmitting on a a CB radio while using a police scanner in the car. I have each one running to it's own antenna on the back of the car, but want to be sure not to damage the scanner in any way.

Thanks in advance.

N_Jay · #2 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 12:36 PM

Probably no issue as long as the antennas are a few feet apart.

canav844 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 06:51 PM

Legal CB and space between the antennas and I doubt you'd harm anything. I know I'm working just fine with both. But I use the CB more for road conditions than anything else so I'm not Tx-ing on it that much.

RodStrong · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 12:25 AM

In addition to a CB, I have in my work vehicle a 110 watt VHF, 45 watt UHF, a 35 watt 700/800mhz, along with 2 scanners. Similar setups for years in several other vehicles. Never had an issue with a tranceiver messing up a scanner.

N467RX · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2009, 02:21 AM

I used my scanner in close proximity to Kenwood mobiles (putting out 15-25W each) and never had any problems

hockeyshrink · #6 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYRHKY94

Hi Guys:

I wanted to know if there are any issues transmitting on a a CB radio while using a police scanner in the car. I have each one running to it's own antenna on the back of the car, but want to be sure not to damage the scanner in any way.

Thanks in advance.

There is a LEGAL issue in NY: It is illegal to have a scanner in a vehicle.

va3hub · #7 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyshrink

There is a LEGAL issue in NY: It is illegal to have a scanner in a vehicle.

Even if your a Ham ?

canav844 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyshrink

There is a LEGAL issue in NY: It is illegal to have a scanner in a vehicle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by va3hub

Even if your a Ham ?

FCC ruling...

Quote:

PR Docket 91-36 is the federal preemption of state and local laws concerning amateur use of transceivers capable of reception beyond amateur allocations. This preemption allows amateurs to possess a transceiver capable of reception (but not transmission) on frequencies adjoining the amateur VHF/UHF bands. It does not apply to scanners which are separate from an amateur transceiver.

ARRLWeb: PR Docket 91-36

Quote:

New York Scanner Law
Original source: New York State Consolidated Laws online (2002)
and
McKinney's Consolidated Laws of New York
Title III - Vehicle and Traffic Law
Article 12 - Other Provisions
Section 397 - New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law

§ 397. Equipping motor vehicles with radio receiving sets capable of receiving signals on the frequencies allocated for police use.
A person, not a police officer or peace officer, acting pursuant to his special duties, who equips a motor vehicle with a radio receiving set capable of receiving signals on the frequencies allocated for police use or knowingly uses a motor vehicle so equipped or who in any way knowingly interferes with the transmission of radio messages by the police without having first secured a permit to do so from the person authorized to issue such a permit by the local governing body or Board of the city, town or village in which such person resides, or where such person resides outside of a city or village in a county having a county police department by the Board of Supervisors of such county, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
Nothing in this Section contained shall be construed to apply to any person who holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator`s License issued by the Federal Communications Commission and who operates a duly licensed portable mobile transmitter and in connection therewith a receiver or receiving set on frequencies exclusively allocated by the Federal Communications Commission to duly licensed radio amateurs.

Interpret it as you may or contact a lawyer or NY law enforcement entity

hockeyshrink · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 11:19 AM

thanks canav844 for that excellent recap and summary.

The "intent" of the law concerns your bearcat or radio shack "scanning receiver," not amateur transceivers.

That said, hams have not gone without problems from NY cops. I have personally not been hassled for my amateur, GMRS, or MURS gear (knock-knock-knock on wood), but others have. No way would I ever have a bearcat, or even attempt to monitor LE freqs in the truck. It is totally not worth it to argue with some cop on the side of the road as he rips out your gear, and I don't have the time, energy, or money for a court battle.

73

hockeyshrink · #10 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 11:56 AM

I will concur with others that running a "legal" CB radio should not interfere with a scanner. Back in the day when I was on the FD and LONG BEFORE I MOVED TO NY, I ran a Motorola CB with a center trunk lip mount Hellcat antenna and a Bearcat IV with a Motorola VHF 1/4 wave whip mounted on the left rear deck with no trouble. I had about 3 feet separation between them. That scanner was crystal controlled, though, but given the CB power and freqs used today for public safety, I cannot imagine that there would be a problem - with a "legal" CB.

va3hub · #11 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeyshrink

I will concur with others that running a "legal" CB radio should not interfere with a scanner. Back in the day when I was on the FD and LONG BEFORE I MOVED TO NY, I ran a Motorola CB with a center trunk lip mount Hellcat antenna and a Bearcat IV with a Motorola VHF 1/4 wave whip mounted on the left rear deck with no trouble. I had about 3 feet separation between them. That scanner was crystal controlled, though, but given the CB power and freqs used today for public safety, I cannot imagine that there would be a problem - with a "legal" CB.

How much power could a scanner take with a 3 feet separation between antennas, before you start getting problems you think ?

gewecke · #12 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 06:24 PM

My impala was set up with a uhf qtr. wave on the passenger side of the trunk and a vhf qtr. wave on the left side. I put a A/S M-27 base loaded antenna in the center with a motorola ssb cb (legal) on the other end.
A motorola gm300 45 watts,and yaesu ft 2800 also are used with little if any rfi to to the cb.
Maybe a little desense from the high band radio,but that's it.
N9zas.

DirtyLarry · #13 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canav844

FCC ruling...

ARRLWeb: PR Docket 91-36

Interpret it as you may or contact a lawyer or NY law enforcement entity

Or just don't go to New York.

DirtyLarry · #14 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYRHKY94

Hi Guys:

I wanted to know if there are any issues transmitting on a a CB radio while using a police scanner in the car. I have each one running to it's own antenna on the back of the car, but want to be sure not to damage the scanner in any way.

Thanks in advance.

Damage no problem. Only time I ever had trouble was when monitoring something on VHF low band (42 MHz) and using a CB. CB would bleed through the scanner on VHF low. Other than that fine. This was 20 years ago. Scanners are made better now. Just get your antennas as far apart as you can. If its a car u might for example put the CB on the roof and scanner on trunk. Just separate them as good as u can.

DirtyLarry · #15 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by va3hub

How much power could a scanner take with a 3 feet separation between antennas, before you start getting problems you think ?

I have run 75 watts on VHF with about 3 feet of separation and no problem. A lot is going to depend on what you are monitoring and where you are transmitting. If you are keying on or close to the same freq you are monitoring thats when you are gonna start getting problems. How much could it take before you blow the scanner? I would think you would be getting enough bleed over to the scanner to annoy you enough to turn it off before you blew it up but thats just me guessing.

jpm · #16 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 01:21 AM

I used both Unidens the BC250d the previous 4 years used the bc780xlt, with cb chan 19, ISPERN, NIFERN and IREACH one bank, Tn state police along with some Tn sheriffs, Horry County the BC396t was flawless in NC very clear trans missions The BC396t had Horry County, Viper, Pal800, and KSP digital. The digital sucked in a dense forest and obviously the mountains. The difference is we went through the Appalachian Mounts with the last 4 years through the Smokey Mountains. The trunked system that i unable to pick up cc had very clear transmission on The Wrightsville Beach. That was several digital 866.00mhz area.
In chicago with the bc396t if this scanner is in a opened area it kicks ass. Noticed on I90 going west in the opened area on SC21 it kicks here as well

On the way home monitored the Indiana system again in opened ares it was flawless and in the dense forest areas along the interstate thats a given poor performance.

Went through IN, KY, TN, NC and SC in a van only going 5 mph over posted speed with no problem with them in the car. Had the radio shack mag mount on roof on the BC250 and a new 2.25" size all band antenna made for the BC396t from the internet. I did find that the 4" antenna I was previously using is needed in the Myrtle Beach area for better reception.