Monitoring Radio Comms On NYC Ferry

[Scannerfreak6743]

With summer approaching, I am curious if it would look suspicious monitoring radio comms on my BCD436 while riding the NYC ferry out in open? Do you other hobbyists monitor comms with or without headphones while riding the NYC Ferry or Staten Island Ferry? Yesterday I was monitoring the subway comms while on the platform and no one seemed to give it much notice, not even other workers sweeping and such. I have always been nervous that someone of authority approaches me and asks me what I am doing and becomes suspicious. I normally only monitor stuff at home, but lately trying to come out of my comfort zone and monitoring stuff out in the public. Just curious if there are others who do the same or are most of you very cautious using your scanner out in the public? Thanks for the feedback.

 

[CqDx]

As long as common sense is used and not causing a big scene. I doubt anyone will even notice.

Enjoy the warm weather and the ferry ride!

 

[Thunderknight]

Use earbuds or the like and it will mostly blend in to everyone else with electronics.

 

[mmckenna]

When I was much younger I had a Bearcat BC100. I took it with me on the ferries in British Columbia and Washington State. Never had any issues.
Keep it low profile, earbuds help a lot. If something happens, stay out of the way. If some 'authority' starts giving you grief, abide by the rules and stand down.

 

[chrismol1]

From previous NYC scanner threads experiences are NYC isn't welcoming to scanning in public should there ever be a situation with un-needed attention from a authority who decides to take action, some local ordinance of no scanners in public??? A few mentioned permits issued to media. I'd hate to see you in such a situation So I'd keep it out of sight and use headphones or bluetooth earpiece where no un-wanted attention could ever be of interest

 

[Scannerfreak6743]

Use earbuds or the like and it will mostly blend in to everyone else with electronics.

Sounds like good advice. I tend to use earbuds if in a quiet atmosphere. In more noisy areas, I don't think people even notice a radio making noise.

 

[Scannerfreak6743]

From previous NYC scanner threads experiences are NYC isn't welcoming to scanning in public should there ever be a situation with un-needed attention from a authority who decides to take action, some local ordinance of no scanners in public??? A few mentioned permits issued to media. I'd hate to see you in such a situation So I'd keep it out of sight and use headphones or bluetooth earpiece where no un-wanted attention could ever be of interest

I was not aware of any ordinances in NYC regarding no scanners in public. Can this be confirmed by anyone else?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I was not aware of any ordinances in NYC regarding no scanners in public. Can this be confirmed by anyone else?

Welcome to the forums. Google is your friend


See also the following threads (there are others if you use a search query like "Scanner law" in this discussion forum)

Laws On Owning A Scanner

I’ve seen the law on equipping radios in vehicles being illegal without a license but is it illegal in New York City to have a handheld scanner to listen to FD not PD? Cause so far all I’m seeing is it being illegal only if listening to PD

forums.radioreference.com

Cops and people with scanners on the street in NYC

Are the cops really going to take your scanner if you have it out? Is it best to keep it hidden? I have been to florida and the cops don't really notice you with a scanner if your just holding it... Any thoughts?

forums.radioreference.com

 

[dave3825]

See also the following threads (there are others if you use a search query like "Scanner law" in this discussion forum)

Cops and people with scanners on the street in NYC

Are the cops really going to take your scanner if you have it out? Is it best to keep it hidden? I have been to florida and the cops don't really notice you with a scanner if your just holding it... Any thoughts?

forums.radioreference.com

Interesting thread but I do not see where anyone actually posted anything official saying that one can not carry a scanner on foot (not vtl397, in a vechile).


I do, and have always done it discretely. I try not to draw attention, that's my preference. Especially since post 9 11 its a different world now. Summer time I put scanner in back pack or cargo shorts pocket with head phone extender or Bluetooth transmitter. Winter time scanner in coat. I am sure there are some who walk around freely with scanners in plain sight without a care in the world. I have always felt its bad for business and that's my opinion.

 

[Scannerfreak6743]

Thanks for your feedback everyone. I did not mean to open up a can of worms regarding the legal use of a scanner as a pedestrian. I believe it is perfectly legal outside a vehicle, but like anything else, the cop is the boss in the end no matter what the law says. However, as the OP of this thread, I was not really referring to monitoring police. I would only imagine common sense prevails whenever using a scanner in public to monitor LE. (Keep it low volume or use headphones, and don't have it blasting when around cops). I was more curious about having the scanner on low volume while riding the NYC Ferry or Staten Island Ferry just to monitor their comms for the fun of it. Do ferry workers even care or notice? It seems the general feedback on here is that most of you do it, but are very discrete about it. The average passenger probably thinks the radio is simply for my job. When it comes to the BCD436, I think it may draw more negative attention when using wired headphones due to the large size of the device. Whereas just using it in the open would appear more "normal" like a typical worker with a radio. I appreciate all your feedback.