eclipse3256
Member
What is the legallity for owning a commercial 2-way radio in NJ. Say it was purchased at a hamfest or on Ebay is this illegal for a person to have in possession in this state?? Any feedback would be helpful!!
owning a 2-way radio in nj
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I"m sure its not illegal to own the equipment. But I do believe you need some sort of FCC licenses to operate them legally.
902
Member
It's not illegal to own a two-way radio, otherwise many businesses and individuals would be breaking the law. Okay, now the sticky stuff: with the exception of FRS and MURS using equipment that's type accepted just for those services, you need a license - not from the State of New Jersey, but from the Federal Communications Commission - to use your radio to transmit to someone else.eclipse3256 said:
What I'm about to post has been the subject of many debates. I'm sure others may disagree, but my message is structured for you to avoid getting yourself in trouble with the well-intentioned but misinformed.
NJ has some fairly strict monitoring laws. You may be challenged. If your radio transmits, it had better transmit only on frequencies you are allowed to transmit on. It's good to have a folded copy of your radio license, whether that's ham, GMRS, business band or whatever in your wallet so that you may be able to produce it to a police officer. If you are a hobbyist with no agency affiliation, you should not program any public safety transmit frequency into your radio at all! Again, that's my opinion, but it's one that will probably be the most effective in keeping you out of trouble.
If you are a volunteer firefighter or EMT (or even a paid responder), you should also carry a letter from your fire chief, or squad captain indicating that he or she has authorized you to have a radio which can transmit on their frequency. The letter should indicate specific frequencies and that's all you'd better have in there. Carry your ID, too.
Now for common sense:
If your radio was stolen from somewhere, you are in possession of stolen property. Don't buy questionable stuff! You will certainly get in trouble that way.
If you only want to monitor things, a scanner may be more versatile. Sure, it's not as cool looking, but dorkey is okay the older someone gets.
Don't use your official looking radio to make other people think you are something you are not.
TRANSMITTING ON A PUBLIC SAFETY FREQUENCY WHEN YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO SO (especially these days) IS LIKE THROWING A ROCK AT A BEEHIVE!!!
And my own: I don't go to parties I'm not invited to. What I mean is that I like to listen, but I don't buff calls and try to gawk my way into controlled areas. That's just me. It's a lot worse when you have a radio.
If you do get challenged, above all, be respectful and cooperative. Nobody likes a belligerent person or someone who keeps saying, "Do you know who I am?"
Otherwise you will be wrong until your lawyer proves you right.
I am an EMT. I was stopped for a minor MV violation by NJSP. All the trooper asked me if I was an EMT and where I worked. He did not ask me about my HT1250 sitting in the cup holder in plain view. In fact, did not even ask for my blue light permit!
However, he did ask about my NJSP basbeball cap. I was let go w/ a written warning
However, he did ask about my NJSP basbeball cap. I was let go w/ a written warning
jmp883
Member
K2NNJ wrote:
I've been a firefighter here in NJ for 19 years. I defy any law enforcement officer to make me produce a blue light permit. I absolutely refuse to apply for one anymore and here's why:
1st blue light permit was received, within 30 days I blew the engine in my car.
2nd blue light permit was received, within 30 days I blew the engine in my 2nd car.
3rd blue light permit was received, within 30 days I blew the engine in my 3rd car.
4th blue light permit was received, within 2 weeks I was in a head-on collision when the other vehicle came over the double-yellow line at me.
None of these incidents occured while responding to calls, they just happened. In the case of the head-on collision there were no injuries to either myself or the other driver, just extensive damage to both cars. Yes I know it is pure coincidence but 4 out of 4 is too much for my pocketbook to take, cars aren't cheap. Especially when you have to buy 4 of them in less than a year! Take your blue light permit and........The state of NJ has more pressing issues and problems to deal with than blue lights.
Those blue light permits cost me 4 cars in just over 6 months. No way ANY one is going to make me get another blue light permit. My blue light is mounted as per the blue light statute. Fortunately I'm a dispatcher for two different pd's and I don't drive to attract the attention of the police so I'm pretty sure I'm safe for not having a blue light permit.
As for the legality of commercial two-way radios 902 pretty much hit right on the head. As long as you're properly licensed, and operate your equipment within the limits of that license you're fine. Having read the NJ motor vehicle laws I can tell you that it is legal to have a scanner in your vehicle. The only time it is illegal to have a scanner in your possession is if you use it to aid in the commission of a crime. Then it doesn't matter if it's a base, hand-held, or mobile scanner.
902 also wrote:
Definitely agree here. I'm a ham and know that many ham radios are capable of transmitting outside of the ham bands via modification. Definitely a no-no.
In regard to buffing calls, I don't do that either. Like 902 wrote it's a controlled area and you're better off monitoring via radio and letting the responding units do their job.
Finally, in regard to being challenged about your radios, be polite and courteous. Be prepared to show your FCC license. Hams are issued two, one for the wall and one for the wallet. Carry it and be prepared to show it, just like you do your driver's license. Follow these common sense tips and you'll probably never have a problem with having a radio in your vehicle.
I've been a firefighter here in NJ for 19 years. I defy any law enforcement officer to make me produce a blue light permit. I absolutely refuse to apply for one anymore and here's why:
1st blue light permit was received, within 30 days I blew the engine in my car.
2nd blue light permit was received, within 30 days I blew the engine in my 2nd car.
3rd blue light permit was received, within 30 days I blew the engine in my 3rd car.
4th blue light permit was received, within 2 weeks I was in a head-on collision when the other vehicle came over the double-yellow line at me.
None of these incidents occured while responding to calls, they just happened. In the case of the head-on collision there were no injuries to either myself or the other driver, just extensive damage to both cars. Yes I know it is pure coincidence but 4 out of 4 is too much for my pocketbook to take, cars aren't cheap. Especially when you have to buy 4 of them in less than a year! Take your blue light permit and........The state of NJ has more pressing issues and problems to deal with than blue lights.
Those blue light permits cost me 4 cars in just over 6 months. No way ANY one is going to make me get another blue light permit. My blue light is mounted as per the blue light statute. Fortunately I'm a dispatcher for two different pd's and I don't drive to attract the attention of the police so I'm pretty sure I'm safe for not having a blue light permit.
As for the legality of commercial two-way radios 902 pretty much hit right on the head. As long as you're properly licensed, and operate your equipment within the limits of that license you're fine. Having read the NJ motor vehicle laws I can tell you that it is legal to have a scanner in your vehicle. The only time it is illegal to have a scanner in your possession is if you use it to aid in the commission of a crime. Then it doesn't matter if it's a base, hand-held, or mobile scanner.
902 also wrote:
Definitely agree here. I'm a ham and know that many ham radios are capable of transmitting outside of the ham bands via modification. Definitely a no-no.
In regard to buffing calls, I don't do that either. Like 902 wrote it's a controlled area and you're better off monitoring via radio and letting the responding units do their job.
Finally, in regard to being challenged about your radios, be polite and courteous. Be prepared to show your FCC license. Hams are issued two, one for the wall and one for the wallet. Carry it and be prepared to show it, just like you do your driver's license. Follow these common sense tips and you'll probably never have a problem with having a radio in your vehicle.
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jmp883
Member
Ricka71 wrote:
Actually I have several registered firearms. Never a problem with the firearms or my firearms ID card!
I'm the person who was put on this earth to have the dumbest sets of circumstances that could possibly occur, occur to him. It's just a blue light permit....a piece of paper with ink on it that is worth just a few dollars and cents. It cost me several thousands of dollars!
I guess that's why they call it life! :roll:
Actually I have several registered firearms. Never a problem with the firearms or my firearms ID card!
I'm the person who was put on this earth to have the dumbest sets of circumstances that could possibly occur, occur to him. It's just a blue light permit....a piece of paper with ink on it that is worth just a few dollars and cents. It cost me several thousands of dollars!
I guess that's why they call it life! :roll:
SM166
Member
dont take aout an electrical permit
hulka
Member
If you go through inspection and they see it in your car they will ask for it. No permit you will fail inspection. Had it happen to a friend. As for getting pulled over and not having one, they will give you a ticket and I beleive they can confiscate your light. I do not see how a permit caused all those accidents. There are some other factors in there that caused them not that piece of paper.
jmp883: "I've been a firefighter here in NJ for 19 years. I defy any law enforcement officer to make me produce a blue light permit."
b. Identification cards issued pursuant to this section and sections 5 and 6 of P.L.2005, c.34 (C.39:3-54.22 and C.39:3-54.23)shall be considered permits to mount and operate emergency warning lights as provided for in P.L.1977, c.223 (C.39:3-54.7 et seq.) and shall apply to any motor vehicle driven by the member of a volunteer fire company, a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or a volunteer Office of Emergency Management. Emergency warning lights shall not be mounted prior to the issuance of the identification cards. Each member of a volunteer fire company, a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or a volunteer Office of Emergency Management must carry the identification card while an emergency warning light or lights are operated on the vehicle.
If it makes you feel any different, the new NJ permits are issued to the person, not the vehicle, like they used to. I'm not sure if that means you might have a medical emergency now instead of a mechanical failure...
b. Identification cards issued pursuant to this section and sections 5 and 6 of P.L.2005, c.34 (C.39:3-54.22 and C.39:3-54.23)shall be considered permits to mount and operate emergency warning lights as provided for in P.L.1977, c.223 (C.39:3-54.7 et seq.) and shall apply to any motor vehicle driven by the member of a volunteer fire company, a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or a volunteer Office of Emergency Management. Emergency warning lights shall not be mounted prior to the issuance of the identification cards. Each member of a volunteer fire company, a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or a volunteer Office of Emergency Management must carry the identification card while an emergency warning light or lights are operated on the vehicle.
If it makes you feel any different, the new NJ permits are issued to the person, not the vehicle, like they used to. I'm not sure if that means you might have a medical emergency now instead of a mechanical failure...
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