2009 Military Airshows/Open Houses that ban scanners...

[b52hbuff]

I didn't want to resurrect a two year old thread:
http://www.radioreference.com/forums...-scanners.html

...but wanted to update and share my disappointment that Beale's 2009 Open House specifically identifies and bans scanners.
Beale Air Force Base - 2009 Beale Air Show
Items prohibited in the spectator area:
Back packs or gym bags
Coolers, glass bottles, alcoholic beverages
Non-prescription medication, illicit/illegal drugs and or paraphernalia (Marijuana, meth, etc)
Walkie-talkies, HAM radios, scanners, GPS units

I experienced a similar ban at the last two shows at Travis AFB. I checked Miramar, and they allow radios. I was going to check Edwards, but they don't have their page up yet.

I wonder what they think is a probably threat scenario? Since the RF travels off base, and they're allowing cell phones... well, you can do the math...

[N_Jay]

They don't owe you an explanation.

It may be based on some good idea, some fair idea, or some bad idea.
It may have a good logical reason behind it, a loose association to a reason, or a wild hunch.

But, It's their base and they get to write the rules.

[KB9LIQ]

Just a question but allot of cell phones have GPS. Are they banned?

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by KB9LIQ

Just a question but allot of cell phones have GPS. Are they banned?

I would guess it would depend on if they said "GPS Devices", or "Devices using GPS technology"?

[ecps92]

Each base will vary. Had the same [nothing on the web site] but they were enforceing the Scanner ban at the Cape Cod air show. So I trek back to my car, and return. They do a bag scan, and I go thru the large Door size magtrometer [Which I see if obviously unplugged !] .

Seems that the delay due to scanning created lines, so they stopped doing the scanning and only did bag searches.

Enjoyed the Static displays and we went back to the Cars for the show, where if I could of charged for each person who moved over to my car for the show, It would of made for some nice Beer Money.

Originally Posted by b52hbuff

I didn't want to resurrect a two year old thread:
http://www.radioreference.com/forums...-scanners.html

...but wanted to update and share my disappointment that Beale's 2009 Open House specifically identifies and bans scanners.
Beale Air Force Base - 2009 Beale Air Show
Items prohibited in the spectator area:
Back packs or gym bags
Coolers, glass bottles, alcoholic beverages
Non-prescription medication, illicit/illegal drugs and or paraphernalia (Marijuana, meth, etc)
Walkie-talkies, HAM radios, scanners, GPS units

I experienced a similar ban at the last two shows at Travis AFB. I checked Miramar, and they allow radios. I was going to check Edwards, but they don't have their page up yet.

I wonder what they think is a probably threat scenario? Since the RF travels off base, and they're allowing cell phones... well, you can do the math...

[b52hbuff]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

They don't owe you an explanation.

It may be based on some good idea, some fair idea, or some bad idea.
It may have a good logical reason behind it, a loose association to a reason, or a wild hunch.

But, It's their base and they get to write the rules.

I wasn't asking them. I was simply commiserating here.

It is a change in SoP, and my experience shows it to be limited to California Air Force Bases.

My intent in sharing the observation wasn't to start a groundswell to get the policy changed, as you astutely point out, their base... their rules. My intent was to solicit information from others on the list to see if this was limited to California Air Force Bases, or if this is spreading to other states and other bases. As I said, the MCAS Miramar show doesn't appear to be advertising/enforcing such a policy.

[specman]

I was at an airshow a few years back where some nutbar was using a portable transceiver (an airband model) and was messing up some of the official comms. They had people looking around for who it was, asking to see people's scanners etc.

Just some conjecture on my part, but I wonder if this is perhaps one possible reason for banning anything that might resemble such a device.. since some folks would have difficulty differentiating them.

Of course like somebody has already mentioned it's hard to control what happens outside the gate...

[CORN]

If i might chime in. My only rejection last year was Nellis AFB in Nov. I even asked a Security Forces person if my scanner (and i stressed recieve only) was allowed before i treked all the way to the security line and he said they were last year so i don't see anything different this year. So i treked on up to be screened, went thru security (no problem, they inspected it and went on), but while i'm standing in line some illiterate airman (not security) came up to me and asked if it was a walkie-talkie ( i had my Diamond RH-77CA antenna on it, prob my mistake), i showed it to him and he looked it over and said ok. I have no doubt he went over to an SP (a different one than who i talked to) and then the guy came over and said it was not allowed backing up his mini-me! I tried to explain it but i gave up and returned it to the car. I get in and i see people with scanners (not many but a few) and their is even some old guy who got his TWO-WAY RADIO in!! Go figure.

The following week, the show at NAS Pensacola was no problem. No wonder so many people call the USAF the Chair Force or Air Farce. What a bunch of panzies. I'm expecting the same kind of sissy, panicky, and let some in but not others policy at the Tyndall show next week. It won't be an obstacle for going but it does get taken to another level by the USAF. I was told i shouldn't have a problem because it's David Schultz Airshows producing it but i know Mr Shultz has no control over security. We'll see. Go NAVY!!!

Oh yeah, unless it's different this year the NAS Oceana show allows scanners but not radio trancievers. Hip Hip Hooray, they know the difference between the two.

[k6scm]

It's their show. If you don't like the rules, oh well, guess you'll miss the show. Granted it is unfortunate that it is a blanket restriction against radio amateurs and monitoring hobbyists, in a seemingly technologically arbitrary decision by the powers-that-be (given that folks will be walking in without restriction carrying their cell phones, pda's, laptops and the like) but, then again so what? There's no prohibition against having the techo-tailgate party in the parking area - outside of the 'spectator' area. The view of the show is just as good and the radio spectrum activity listening unrestricted. Walk the static displays with awe and without your 'ears,' then move out to the lot to watch and listen to the show...

[DDan]

I used to live up on a hill across the freeway from El Toro. I saw the BA from my balcony, on base, and at a tailgate party on top of a hill behind the base. The tailgate party out in 4WD land was the best by far. There was always a cold refreshment handy and the mens room was a short hike with no line.

I had my scanner so I was the hit of the tailgate party.