Hi guys - thanks to Lindsay for creating this new forum, and for putting me in charge of it. I am going to be moving to Taiwan in a few weeks, so hopefully I'll be able to report from the world of scanning in Asia soon.
In the mean time, I am working on compiling a list regarding local government restrictions on scanners and frequency monitoring. I would like anyone with reliable and credible information on a listed country to reply to this thread so I can update this list. This list is a guide for those visiting Asia and want to bring their scanner along. Listening to local police, obviously, is a wash unless you can understand the native language - but there are english-language signals out there to intercept (worldwide ham radio, shortwave, air comms, etc.)
If you've got something to add to this list, please reply. Thanks, and have fun!
Bryan VE3HBD
THIS POST IS A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS!!
As well, please note that the information on this page is just a guide. IF you are planning to bring a scanner to an asian country, please check with the local government before your trip. We accept no responsibility for any fines, imprisonment or anal intrusion as a result of the information that we provide here.
----
Republic of China:
No rules in Taiwan, but apparantly there are restrictions on reception of specific frequency bands. Government listing of radio licensee holders not available to the general public. Information on these restrictions is not known at this time, but I'll post them when I find them out.
Singapore
In Singapore its illegal to own a scanner or a radio that can receive above 30 MHz. There is a fine of $100,000 and up to two years in prison, or both. However, having a shortwave receiver is very common, and many people like to listen to foreign broadcast services. (thanks Thunderbolt)
Israel
Illegal (details forthcoming - thanks mlevin)
Myanmar
Illegal to own a radio that receives anything but the standard broadcast bands w/o government permit. (thanks Thunderbolt)
Japan
No restrictions on scanners, except reception of Cell Phones are forbidden.
Thailand
Illegal to use any radio/scanner capable of recieving public safety frequencies.
Vietnam
Illegal to use any radio/scanner capable of recieving public safety frequencies.
People's Republic of China:
No information yet on Mainland China, but in Hong Kong it's illegal to own a radio capable of receiving frequencies over 30MHz or commercial broadcast without a permit. (thanks CqDX)
South Korea
Illegal
Turkey
Illegal
Maldives: (no information)
Bahrain: (no information)
Bangladesh: (no information)
Palestine: (no information)
North Korea: (no information)
Lebanon: (no information)
India: (no information)
Sri Lanka: (no information)
The Phillipines: (no information)
Nepal: (no information)
Pakistan: (no information)
Indonesia: (no information)
Kuwait: (no information)
Armenia: (no information)
Syria: (no information)
Azerbaijan: (no information)
Cyprus: (no information)
Georgia: (no information)
Cambodia: (no information)
Egypt: (no information)
Qatar: (no information)
Malaysia: (no information)
East Timor: (no information)
Brunei: (no information)
Jordan: (no information)
Uzbekistan: (no information)
Iran: (no information)
Iraq: (no information)
Tajikistan: (no information)
Bhutan: (no information)
Afghanistan: (no information)
Yemen: (no information)
UAE: (no information)
Laos: (no information)
Kyrgystan: (no information)
Oman: (no information)
Saudi Arabia: (no information)
Turkmenistan: (no information)
Kazakhstan: (no information)
Mongolia: (no information)
In the mean time, I am working on compiling a list regarding local government restrictions on scanners and frequency monitoring. I would like anyone with reliable and credible information on a listed country to reply to this thread so I can update this list. This list is a guide for those visiting Asia and want to bring their scanner along. Listening to local police, obviously, is a wash unless you can understand the native language - but there are english-language signals out there to intercept (worldwide ham radio, shortwave, air comms, etc.)
If you've got something to add to this list, please reply. Thanks, and have fun!
Bryan VE3HBD
THIS POST IS A CONSTANT WORK IN PROGRESS!!
As well, please note that the information on this page is just a guide. IF you are planning to bring a scanner to an asian country, please check with the local government before your trip. We accept no responsibility for any fines, imprisonment or anal intrusion as a result of the information that we provide here.
----
Republic of China:
No rules in Taiwan, but apparantly there are restrictions on reception of specific frequency bands. Government listing of radio licensee holders not available to the general public. Information on these restrictions is not known at this time, but I'll post them when I find them out.
Singapore
In Singapore its illegal to own a scanner or a radio that can receive above 30 MHz. There is a fine of $100,000 and up to two years in prison, or both. However, having a shortwave receiver is very common, and many people like to listen to foreign broadcast services. (thanks Thunderbolt)
Israel
Illegal (details forthcoming - thanks mlevin)
Myanmar
Illegal to own a radio that receives anything but the standard broadcast bands w/o government permit. (thanks Thunderbolt)
Japan
No restrictions on scanners, except reception of Cell Phones are forbidden.
Thailand
Illegal to use any radio/scanner capable of recieving public safety frequencies.
Vietnam
Illegal to use any radio/scanner capable of recieving public safety frequencies.
People's Republic of China:
No information yet on Mainland China, but in Hong Kong it's illegal to own a radio capable of receiving frequencies over 30MHz or commercial broadcast without a permit. (thanks CqDX)
South Korea
Illegal
Turkey
Illegal
Maldives: (no information)
Bahrain: (no information)
Bangladesh: (no information)
Palestine: (no information)
North Korea: (no information)
Lebanon: (no information)
India: (no information)
Sri Lanka: (no information)
The Phillipines: (no information)
Nepal: (no information)
Pakistan: (no information)
Indonesia: (no information)
Kuwait: (no information)
Armenia: (no information)
Syria: (no information)
Azerbaijan: (no information)
Cyprus: (no information)
Georgia: (no information)
Cambodia: (no information)
Egypt: (no information)
Qatar: (no information)
Malaysia: (no information)
East Timor: (no information)
Brunei: (no information)
Jordan: (no information)
Uzbekistan: (no information)
Iran: (no information)
Iraq: (no information)
Tajikistan: (no information)
Bhutan: (no information)
Afghanistan: (no information)
Yemen: (no information)
UAE: (no information)
Laos: (no information)
Kyrgystan: (no information)
Oman: (no information)
Saudi Arabia: (no information)
Turkmenistan: (no information)
Kazakhstan: (no information)
Mongolia: (no information)
Last edited: