MSP Scanner permit

[CCTV]

Ontario Permit

--Let's Flip the table...I live in Michigan--what are Ontario scanner permit laws and how do we go about getting a permit for Ontario use??? I do travel to the Falls thru Ontario and I would like to be legal the next time we pass thru....

 

[MilBil]

There is no permit needed at all for a non digital scanner .
If you have a digital scanner you can apply for a permit .

 

[kg4icg]

To the person inquiring about if a ham has a criminal record chances are he wouldn't be a ham anymore. The FCC frowns on that, unless you show just cause as to why you should be grant a license for amateur radio use. If convicted of a crime while holding a Amateur Radio license, you could loose your license.By the way i'm a ham (hold a general ticket) and a truckdriver too.

 

[jdc50]

Well I finally got my permit today. Sent it in early Feb. Not sure if they are getting caught up or my email to my senator and representative complaining about the waste of time for such a permit. But at least I have it.

 

[N_Jay]

To the person inquiring about if a ham has a criminal record chances are he wouldn't be a ham anymore. The FCC frowns on that, unless you show just cause as to why you should be grant a license for amateur radio use. If convicted of a crime while holding a Amateur Radio license, you could loose your license.By the way i'm a ham (hold a general ticket) and a truckdriver too.

I believe that only a felony, or the use of amature radio in the commission of a crime would get your license revoked.

 

[lzqwhr]

Well I finally got my permit today. Sent it in early Feb. Not sure if they are getting caught up or my email to my senator and representative complaining about the waste of time for such a permit. But at least I have it.

+

Wow - wonder if mine will take that long, I sent mine in about 3 weeks ago......

 

[k8tmk]

I just looked at my permit, which I got three or four years ago. There is no date of any kind on it, so it probably does not expire.

I have been a licensed ham for over 40 years, and have held the Extra class license for about 30 years. I still applied for the permit though, because I felt that a police officer would more easily accept a permit containing a State Police Director's signature than a ham license (especially if he didn't know exactly what the law states).

At the same time I applied for mine, I filled out a separate application for my wife (non-ham) who occasionally drives my car. On the reason line I simply stated "Occasionally drive husband's vehicle equiped with radio equipment." She also received a permit.

 

[mmartinfan]

Stupid laws................


So whats keeping me from just going out and buying one, if i dont keep in in my truck and or run around and rob banks and go chase the PD/FD who is it hurting in the state??

 

[KB8UYC]

I am glad that you bring that up....

See a few years ago I used to get questioned a lot about all the radio equipment and scanners in my vehicle.But ever since I talked one on one with the under sheriff here I have had NO problems. When I got my permit the lady in the Communications Division at Lansing Headquarters told me that my FCC Ham License was all I needed, but to go ahead and get the Permit "just because" See the State police know the law, because they have to know City, County and State law. All other agencies are only concerned for the level therefore they know nothing about the law regarding scanning! This is a failure on local police jurisdicitions. Remember to carry your Ham License where ever you go, just because you have a permit(with no experation date) it is not going to get you out of getting your radios confiscated!! Also another good thing to do is print the law and keep it in a book in your vehicle. It is under the Michigan Compiled Law Section- then they will have no choice but to leave you alone.

NOTICE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT VISIT HERE---KNOW YOUR LAW, BEFORE YOU TRY TO CONFISCATE SOMEONES SCANNER, KNOW IF THEY ARE LEAGAL TO HAVE IT IN THEIR VEHICLE! THE SAME GOES FOR GUNS, YOU DONT TAKE SOMEONES GUN AWAY FROM THEM IF THEY TELL YOU THEY HAVE A PERMIT, THIS IS THE SAME THING.

 

[KB8UYC]

MMARTINFAN:

There is nothing that is keeping you from running out and buying a scanner. Scanners are not illegal to buy sell or use. They are however illegal in many states to have in a moving vehicle. But again if you really dont have a good reason to have one in your vehicle it is better that it stay at home. Also not very many people use scanners to rob banks, that is the furthest thing from their mind.

 

[rdale]

Some people like to take their scanners to the scene of an incident, i.e. a large fire, which is illegal in Michigan unless permitted. In Indiana you cannot have the scanner outside of your HOUSE without violating the law!

- Rob

 

[GlacierClipper]

States have a few laws which make the ordinary citizen look like a common criminal. The scanner laws are some of those laws.

 

[itsaawgood]

My permit just arrived yesterday...it only took 15 weeks!! I had long gave up on hope of getting it...but it was a pleasant suprise.

 

[k8tmk]

Just a little side note that is sure to rile up any police officers in this forum.

Its against the FEDERAL law for an unlicensed person to have access to my amateur (or any other licensed transmitter for that matter), so how could a non-amateur police officer confiscate my scanner if its built into my amateur transceiver.

Seems to me that to not violate the Federal law myself, I would have to use whatever force necessary to prevent the officer from gaining control of my equipment.

I bet this reply will stir up a hornet's nest!

Anyway, if you have a scanner in your vehicle, this theory might help:

"When in doubt, turn it off."

Randy

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

MMARTINFAN:

There is nothing that is keeping you from running out and buying a scanner. Scanners are not illegal to buy sell or use. They are however illegal in many states to have in a moving vehicle. But again if you really dont have a good reason to have one in your vehicle it is better that it stay at home. Also not very many people use scanners to rob banks, that is the furthest thing from their mind.

How do the delivery trucks get around this? Granted, the scanner is in the OFF mode @ this time but still intereseting. 8)

Also, it has been mentioned that why would anybody allow out of state people the permits? Well that is simple, so people that live out of state that have scanners in their cars or might want to rent a car then they can use their scanner in the state.

Michigan - Need a permit.
Canada - Need a permit to listen to DIGITAL.
Any others?

 

[KB8UYC]

Randy,

Couple of things:

1) If you are a valid Ham Radio Operator and have your license on you and you present that to a Law Enforcement Officer he will not confinscate it. He cant, not with a valid license-even if it does have police frequencies in it.(that is just one more reason that LEO's need to know the difference in radio equipment)

2)"When in doubt, turn it off."
That won't work! If a LEO notices a scanner in your vehicle whether it be on or off(depending on what state you are in) it is gone! They will take it faster than you can say your name, that is of coarse unless you have a Valid Ham License or a Permit issued by the state.

Police Scanners are not considered "Ham Equipment" therefore there is no control operator and can be confinscated unless you have a valid license to have it.

Bottom line-
Get the proper credintials! 1)Amatuer Radio License-dont just get the license to carry a scanner, enjoy the hobby and all the perks that come with it-like carrying a scanner! 2)Obtain a Permit issued by the state you live in-this is like MSP calls it...a backup to the ham license

 

[KB8UYC]

"How do the delivery trucks get around this? Granted, the scanner is in the OFF mode @ this time but still intereseting. "

What delivery trucks????

Remember this......SCANNERS ARE ILLEGAL TO HAVE IN A MOTOR VEHILCE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER LICENSE

I am almost positive that most other state follow that guideline, I know that there are a few that dont

 

[MetalManMI]

Anyway, if you have a scanner in your vehicle, this theory might help:

"When in doubt, turn it off."

Randy

Nope! Basically, MSP (and other agencies) are interpreting this law to be so restrictive that you cannot legally transport a scanner home from the store that you bought it from without being a licensed HAM or having first obtained a MSP scanner permit. It doesn't matter if it is off, in the trunk...whatever. NO SCANNER IN CAR (IMO, it is really bending the definition of "equipped", but that's another story).

Read this guy's story!.....

http://www.scannerway.8m.com/letter.html

:shock:

 

[jimsokol]

Some points worth noting:

- The web page mentioned by the above poster needs to be updated, as the governor and commander of the state police have changed some time ago. One or more links need to be updated as well.

- I wouldn't argue with a police officer. If he wants to confiscate your radio, let him, then use the system to get it back. All you'll get by using force is a resisting and obstructing charge that probably won't go away even when you show that you were legally entitled to possess the scanner in a car.

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

"How do the delivery trucks get around this? Granted, the scanner is in the OFF mode @ this time but still intereseting. "

What delivery trucks????

Remember this......SCANNERS ARE ILLEGAL TO HAVE IN A MOTOR VEHILCE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER LICENSE

I am almost positive that most other state follow that guideline, I know that there are a few that dont

Well the Trucks that deliver the scanners to the stores.