Detection of Scanner Use

[Nrbelex]

Hi,

Aside from seeing the physical scanner if pulled over for something, is there any way for radio users to know they are being listened to with a scanner? If so, is it likely for a small town to have this technology. Thanks

~ Brett

 

[MacombMonitor]

While it's possible the Secret Service may have such capabilities, you don't have to worry about your city, or state police.

 

[SAR923]

Although an external antenna might give them a clue. Generally, the more stuff you have hanging off your vehicle, the more attention you're likely to attract. See www.hamsexy.com for good examples of what not to do.

 

[Nrbelex]

GREAT - there goes my whole plan - back to the drawing board.

 

[RolnCode3]

Although an external antenna might give them a clue. Generally, the more stuff you have hanging off your vehicle, the more attention you're likely to attract. See www.hamsexy.com for good examples of what not to do.

That's what I was going to say too!

 

[MacombMonitor]

GREAT - there goes my whole plan - back to the drawing board.

Why? Is it illegal to have a scanner in your car where you live? :shock:

 

[Voyager]

While it's possible the Secret Service may have such capabilities, you don't have to worry about your city, or state police.

Actually, with many models it's quite easy to pick up the local oscillator. I forget the thread that this was discussed on recently. Everyone on here, not just the SS, has this capability - it's called haveing a receiver or a scanning receiver.

Joe M.

 

[MacombMonitor]

I'm aware of that, but that is not something the average police officer is going to be doing, or even want to do.

 

[Heterodyne]

I think you're safe, buddy.

 

[Voyager]

I'm aware of that, but that is not something the average police officer is going to be doing, or even want to do.

True. Still, they easily could if they wanted to.

Joe M.

 

[DaveNF2G]

That's how the British government finds people who haven't paid their TV fees - they use a receiver in a van to sniff out the television local oscillators.

I don't know if they still do this or not, but it was well known a few years back.

 

[Heterodyne]

They still do.... detector vans still scour neighbourhoods counting how many TVs you have in your house and reference to how many TVs you are licensed to own.

But really.... come on now... Do any of you REALLY think that today's police officers are so underworked and bored that they're driving around listening for IF's ???!!! Have the days of fighting crime become so mundane and redundant?! The last time I looked, they had a few more important matters to investigate, like who broke into my car and stole 74 cents from my drink holder. Those bastards are still at large, and I want the cops to do more finding and less caring about some schmuck and his scanner.

Not only is it way beyond the capabilities of most people to even be AWARE of such things, car-based scanners are legal in most states and provinces.

Not all cops are such enormously huge radio/scanner geeks that they are able to direction-find oscillator frequencies of your scanner. If scanners aren't illegal to have in your car in your state, then a cop isn't going to give two $hits if you have one in your car, especially if it's turned off when he pulls you over. Doing the bonehead move of having it blasting on his frequency when he pulls you over, well damn man... you deserve to get in trouble.

 

[poltergeisty]

I once heard a while ago about someone or a company that was/is using a device to find out what radio station you listen to in the car. I heard these things would be located at shopping malls and other places where there is a large amount of the public. :shock: I guess the idea was/is to target marketing to you from the mall or other place.

Anyone know of a filter to block output signals. :lol: 8) Boo!-Poltergeisty :-0

 

[Heterodyne]

I once heard a while ago about someone or a company that was/is using a device to find out what radio station you listen to in the car. I heard these things would be located at shopping malls and other places where there is a large amount of the public. :shock: I guess the idea was/is to target marketing to you from the mall or other place.

They use them in Canada to forumulate radio ratings... I don't know if they use them anywhere else. The usually use them on busy highways during rush hour.

 

[trimmerj]

They use em in Washington DC area too. Company is called Mobil Trak.

 

[kb2vxa]

If your car looks like this you just might have a radio in it.

 

[djeplett]

Haaaaaaaaammmmm Sexaaaaaaaaaayyy!!!!

 

[UPMan]

Most car stereos use the same IF as most scanners (10.7 MHz).

 

[kikito]

There's so many gadgets out there today that people use (AM/FM radio, etc.) that might use oscillators or create enough interference to block picking up such, that to specifically pick up a local oscillator from a specific scanner is not only hard but a waste of time for anybody to do.

 

[N_Jay]

There's so many gadgets out there today that people use (AM/FM radio, etc.) that might use oscillators or create enough interference to block picking up such, that to specifically pick up a local oscillator from a specific scanner is not only hard but a waste of time for anybody to do.

LOL, you cald actually have some fun if they were doing that.

Build a little osc that sends out the PD freq + 10.7.

LOL, then let them look for the scanner!