its like everything else
Its like everything else in life, when someone has no idea about it, they get all pissy.
It amazing the places I've been too and got the evil eye from security or other guests who have no idea about it or are so worried. But, funny I work in security and for high risk clients as far security aspects are consider. I rather apporach you and ask you questions about your equipment and your intent then give you the evil eye and have no idea what you carring or capable of. At least if I have a conversation with the person with the equipment I have some idea of what you capable of via radio and / or personally on some level. Their just worried about the potential for a risk as they not fully understandable or knowledgable in equiment theory or concepts and what to do in such evil circumstances if the person is with holding the equipment.Realstically they should be more considered with the stuff they can not see, typically us the ham groups or scanner enthuastis do not hide their equipment under most circumstances unless force into it like this situation. Being a marine vessel you alreay established that their on some type of vhf allocation alone. Now being made of heavy duty steal, the possibility of using vhf for general operations is rather unlikey. So, now we know they have vhf on borad for marine calling and uhf / 800 / 900 for daily operations on big vessels.
And at some places I just go right threw security points because of all the equipment I have and what my car looks like. So, where is the justice. I have also been stopped purily as investiagtive stops just to see what equipment I have in my car or stocked on a properties. Whats funny about all this is I understand the techniques, so it doesn't surprise me and in most cases they get a nice break check. Come check out my stuff and me before you get all crazy or stupid, I give you a tour.