Florida

[morbz]

Hi

Im going to Orlando Florida this summer for a holiday and seeing as i have a radio scanner I will take it with me to see what I can pick up.

Does anyone know whether or not a Bearcat Handheald Uniden UBC72XLT will pick up any police radio whilst Im out there? Its frequencies generally cover 140-180ish and 400-470ish.

Cheers

Morbz

 

[james32746]

All Law Enforcement communications in the metro Orlando area (Orange/Seminole/Osceola counties) are all 800 MHz trunked.

 

[morbz]

so the ones on this website: http://www.artofhacking.com/tucops/etc/radio/live/aoh_waltdis.htm

wouldnt work?

 

[n4voxgill]

that list has been outdated for 10 years. Most Disney themepark is all on Nextel now.

Check the database on this site.

 

[jaystein327]

Morbz,

You might want to take a look at this.

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

I dont live in Florida yet (im moving there in the fall) so I dont know how serious they are about this. Anyways sorry if this is a little off topic but I wouldn't want you to learn about this law the hard way.

Enjoy your holiday!

Jay

 

[Bolt21]

Or better yet, this: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65503, starting with post #7.

This one also: http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64616

Morbz, with a BC72XLT you're in luck if you're into civil aviation or railroad action. But for public safety/police in the Orlando area it's pretty much useless, sorry to say. A PRO-97 or equivalent analog Uniden product will pick up most of the action, while a digital-capable BCD396T will cover pretty much everything that's out there, with the exception of encrypted comms (Florida Highway Patrol is encrypted and there's talk of Orlando PD heading in that direction). However, you're looking at anywhere from $150 (for the PRO-97 on sale) to $500 for the 396T.

 

[morbz]

Hi

Thanks for all the replies from everyone.

I gather then that my scanner is no good for this sort of listening which is quite what i expected. However with regards to the laws, I think its like here in the UK.

Would I be exempt from the law if I listened privatly to my portable scanner in my hotel room with earphones in, as all the laws mainly state is that its illegal to use in vehicles etc? Over here this type of listening would be classed as a harmless hobby.

Thanks for the feeback anyway,
Morbz

 

[ctrabs74]

Before I respond, could the mods consider starting a new sticky thread RE: Florida scanner laws? There seem to be a lot of new threads re: this particular topic, and I think having a sticky thread would be the best way to address this topic instead of having it spread out over multiple threads. Having said that...

Would I be exempt from the law if I listened privatly to my portable scanner in my hotel room with earphones in, as all the laws mainly state is that its illegal to use in vehicles etc? Over here this type of listening would be classed as a harmless hobby.

From reading the scanner law over a couple of times, I don't think you'd have any problems with listening you a scanner in a hotel room. The law appears to apply to motor vehicles, but then again I'm not a lawyer or an LEO, but that's how I'm interpreting it.

 

[jaystein327]

There seem to be a lot of new threads re: this particular topic, and I think having a sticky thread would be the best way to address this topic instead of having it spread out over multiple threads.

I couldn't agree with you more! Everyone should be aware of this law. Ignorance is no defense and I would hate to see a fellow scanner enthusiast get jammed up because they weren't aware of this.

On a side note... despite the fact that I find this law ridiculous there is a silver lining... I would imagine it gets more people (including myself) motivated to get their ham ticket. And thus they are more educated about the science and technology behind radio communications. Thats always a good thing. Right?

I guess this is me just trying to justify a foolish law which does nothing much to stop real criminals and makes those of us who are interested in the radio hobby look like suspects.

Such is life... Stepping off the soap box now.

Jay

 

[Rover]

Morbz....

Scanner listening is Legal in the USA and Florida. You can listen too what ever you want except ...Cellphone, Cordless phones, pagers and encrypted comms (and try too decryp them).

In Florida the law only applies too listening too a scanner in your Car. You are exempt if you have a Ham Radio license.

So do not worry, you can listen in you room, sidewalk, stores or at the pool any where in public. But use common sense...there are some folks I have met in stores and such that think listening too radio comms is illegal and do not understand scanners. Also private property owners do have restrictions on radios such as malls, parks and can ask you too put it back in your car. It is best at times too use a earplug in public.

Also you find lots too listen too with a your scanner, plenty of air comms, private ambulance, air medical comms , rail, and other interesting comms ...

73 Ray KB4OMO