Bringing my Alinco scanner with me to US (Chicago) - should I bring it from the UK?

[M6LKM]

Hi,

My name is Luke and I am a radio amateur (callsign M6LKM) and aircraft enthusiast from Liverpool UK. I am travelling to Chicago (flying into OHare ORD) in May for 5 nights with my parents. I am looking forward to my trip but as I am an aircraft enthusiast I want to bring by Alinco DJX11E scanner with me to listen to the ATC, weather band frequencies etc. However there are a few things that I am concerned about. The first is this is an "unblocked" scanner purchased in the UK which does not have the cellular bands blocked out - and I have read that there is a law in the US which prohibits the "import" of scanners capable of receiving these bands. However it does appear to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. I emailed Customs and Border Protection and they said contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) so I gave them a call and they put me though to someone at the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and I asked him to clarify the legal position regarding bringing my scanner in for personal use - I told him the frequency range and he said it is OK to bring into the US as long as it does not cause interference and as he said I don't intend to bring it in for sale "import" does not apply. I also asked will I have any issues at customs and he said no as again it is coming with me for personal use. But I am still a bit concerned about going through customs with it as in one way I want to take it because I love listening to aircraft but on the other hand I do not want to run the risk of having an expensive piece of kit confiscated - I am just asking if anyone has had any similar experiences and do you think I should take the scanner and if I do should everything go smoothly - also my parents are pretty anti me taking it as they think that it could cause problems with our journey if customs want to investigate it or if I was using it in the airport and attracted the attention of the authorities - especially in the climate of security paranoia which is prevalent in the US - again any advice? I do not want myself or my parents loosing sleep over this issue especially considering I am very excited about coming to Chicago and ORD.

Luke

 

[DickH]

Hi,

My name is Luke and I am a radio amateur (callsign M6LKM) and aircraft enthusiast from Liverpool UK. I am travelling to Chicago (flying into OHare ORD) in May for 5 nights with my parents. I am looking forward to my trip but as I am an aircraft enthusiast I want to bring by Alinco DJX11E scanner with me to listen to the ATC, weather band frequencies etc. However there are a few things that I am concerned about. The first is this is an "unblocked" scanner purchased in the UK which does not have the cellular bands blocked out - and I have read that there is a law in the US which prohibits the "import" of scanners capable of receiving these bands. However it does appear to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. I emailed Customs and Border Protection and they said contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) so I gave them a call and they put me though to someone at the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and I asked him to clarify the legal position regarding bringing my scanner in for personal use - I told him the frequency range and he said it is OK to bring into the US as long as it does not cause interference and as he said I don't intend to bring it in for sale "import" does not apply. I also asked will I have any issues at customs and he said no as again it is coming with me for personal use. But I am still a bit concerned about going through customs with it as in one way I want to take it because I love listening to aircraft but on the other hand I do not want to run the risk of having an expensive piece of kit confiscated - I am just asking if anyone has had any similar experiences and do you think I should take the scanner and if I do should everything go smoothly - also my parents are pretty anti me taking it as they think that it could cause problems with our journey if customs want to investigate it or if I was using it in the airport and attracted the attention of the authorities - especially in the climate of security paranoia which is prevalent in the US - again any advice? I do not want myself or my parents loosing sleep over this issue especially considering I am very excited about coming to Chicago and ORD.

Luke

No one is going to know what it is if you DON'T TELL THEM. Pack it in a checked bag, not in a carryon bag. If, in the unlikely chance anyone asks, just say it's to listen to the weather and airplanes. Don't offer any information.

 

[pinballwiz86]

Luke...you're worried about nothing. Especially since you're a ham.

 

[MarkWestin]

You are more likely to have problems at the security scan than at customs. I always carry all my electronic devices in my carry on bag. I was asked once why I had so many rechargeable batteries in my carry on. You may be asked to turn your radio(s) on to prove that they actually work. The last time that I went through customs while flying, they only seemed to be interested in whether I was carrying any fresh fruit or dairy products with me. As for listening in the airport, just use some headphones like you would with a mp3 player. I have heard of people having problems while using "professional looking" earplug type earphones (not the "earbuds" type).

Mark

 

[jaspence]

Scanner from UK

I traveled to Ireland last year with my scanner and a HT. I had no problems with them in my carry on. If you use it while in an airport, an earphone is a must.