New Scanner Listener

[bob89129]

I just bought a Uniden BCD396T and it's my first Trunk Tracker.
I'm interested in finding new frequencies and sharing info with like minded persons.
While my wife plays the slots I can do something more productive like capture new freq's at the Rampart, Suncoast, Red Rock, and Sante Fe Casino's. I want to monitor NHP, LVMPD, Lincoln and Nye County Sheriff, CHP, the BLM, Forest Service, Desert Wildlife area, Nellis AFB, Security out near Area 51 (although most I assume is scrambled).
A few of these I want to listen to when I'm out in the boonie's on my ATV visiting ghost towns and old mines. I'd like to find a few military crash sites too.

Radio World in Boulder City will probably end up programming it for me. They want you to leave it there and a guy comes in every Tuesday AM and programs them. So I have to wait till Tuesday. Although I can monitor some of the LVMPD freqs already. I must be doing something right.

So, if anything is a common interest, maybe we can share info.
Thanks,
Bob
ATV'er, Ham radio operator, retired Police Sgt., & geek

 

[tbnmaster]

Welcome Bob. I also enjoy off roading, but in a Jeep instead of a 4 wheeler. There are some great finds out here in the desert. I'll have to post some pictures when I get a chance.

 

[bob89129]

Tnanks,
I just got back from a 450 mile ATV trip of the North Rim. We went for days not seeing another person camping at a base camp and off our quads. Visited copper mines and old cowboy camps. Camping with awesome views of the Grand Canyon. Going next month up to the Mina area visiting Mines and Ghosttowns for 10 days.
We do trips with combined jeeps and ATV's too sometimes.
Check out Intrepidexplorers.org

PM me with your email and I'll send you some photos. I have to resize my photos to post here.


Bob
BCD396T

 

[br0adband]

Just a word of advice:

If you intend to take that scanner with you on the go when the wife is at the slots, it's best not to be on the property with one in my experience. Wearing a receiver of any kind like a scanner is tantamount to eavesdropping in the eyes of most casinos, and will quickly get you escorted off the property.

And efforts to be stealthy like using an earpiece with wiring up behind the collar or some similar getups will just make things worse. If you look like you've got something to hide, even if that's not truly the case, they're going to squash you quick.

Just a few tips from someone who's been there in that situation inadvertently. Was just out doing random CloseCall stuff recently and I simply forgot I had the scanner on and was wearing my earpiece when I took a stroll into the Golden Nugget to hit the head.

Sure enough, before I even got to the stall I was stopped, questioned, then asked to leave. No strongarm tactics, however. One security guard noted the single earpiece, decided to stop me and ask to see what device I was listening to, and I showed him the 330T I recently borrowed to test it out (and I'll be buying next week). He probably didn't know exactly *what* it was, but he saw "Golden Nugget" on the display and that was more than enough.

3 more security guards showed up, basically bumping me off the property with no real physical contact. It could have been worse, of course, but I'll chalk it up to experience and remember next time that when Nature calls, unplug.

And being in your vehicle in the parking garage listening in... well, you can extrapolate the possible scenarios from there.

Hope it helps...
bb

ps
If you remember to do it, grab a copy of the Southern Nevada Radio Guide or Scanning Guide or whatever the specific name is. I stopped into AES today over here on the Vegas side for the first time. Talked with Chuck, one of the people there, for about an hour about all sorts of things. The place has a nice homey feel to it despite the location on Polaris - the dirt delivery trucks have turned that whole corridor of road on Polaris into "dust central." Just drive through and you'll understand.

While I didn't purchase the Guide today (I'll get it next week when I go back to buy the 330T from Chuck), just flipping through it gave me a chance to know it's the guide for Southern Nevada, with everything a new scanner owner/user (and old) will always find a valuable resource. Highly recommended, and welcome to the club.

 

[bob89129]

Thanks for all the great info.
Casino's aren't my priority anyway. Oh well.
I've been to AES a few times. Your right, I don't care for the location but the building is much better then the one they had on Rancho.

 

[BJ_NORTON]

Just a word of advice:

If you intend to take that scanner with you on the go when the wife is at the slots, it's best not to be on the property with one in my experience. Wearing a receiver of any kind like a scanner is tantamount to eavesdropping in the eyes of most casinos, and will quickly get you escorted off the property.

And efforts to be stealthy like using an earpiece with wiring up behind the collar or some similar getups will just make things worse. If you look like you've got something to hide, even if that's not truly the case, they're going to squash you quick.

Just a few tips from someone who's been there in that situation inadvertently. Was just out doing random CloseCall stuff recently and I simply forgot I had the scanner on and was wearing my earpiece when I took a stroll into the Golden Nugget to hit the head.

Sure enough, before I even got to the stall I was stopped, questioned, then asked to leave. No strongarm tactics, however. One security guard noted the single earpiece, decided to stop me and ask to see what device I was listening to, and I showed him the 330T I recently borrowed to test it out (and I'll be buying next week). He probably didn't know exactly *what* it was, but he saw "Golden Nugget" on the display and that was more than enough.

3 more security guards showed up, basically bumping me off the property with no real physical contact. It could have been worse, of course, but I'll chalk it up to experience and remember next time that when Nature calls, unplug.

And being in your vehicle in the parking garage listening in... well, you can extrapolate the possible scenarios from there.

I think it was the single earpiece that did you in. I have monitored many Casinos on property wearing a set of regular style headphones, or back of the head headphones, with no problems. White Ipod style headphones might be best. I have walked past security while they were talking while I caught them on close call with my 246t at Ceasars awith no problem. I normally just clip the radio on my belt, and then make sure it is not seen by wearing either a baggy/long shirt, or by keeping it in a jacket pocket.

Also I have sat in the parking garages of Wynn and Red Rock most recently with no problems either. Normally when I park in a garage I am loaded for bear with several radios, and a laptop running trunker...

 

[TOUGHLIFE]

I also have used lightweight stereo headphones when listening to a scanner in places where it might be other than acceptable conduct. In airports beyond a security checkpoint I keep my radio in a bag or underneath my jacket and run the headphones to my ears and nobody gives me a second thought. I would be most careful in any casino keeping in mind that it is private property and you can be told to leave at any time without a reason given.

 

[bob89129]

I used some stereo earbuds and had no problem at the Palms and Santa Fe. I have the Palms Security freq now but there was little activity at the Sante Fe so I don't think I have security but have the slot freq.

 

[sigint1]

I also have very frequently carried a scanner in casinos in the Reno area - I have only been questioned about it twice and in both cases after showing secuity what it was there was no further problem - one security officer even asked me if I had their frequency so he could put it in his scanner - however one note of caution - NV Gaming Regulations ( I am speaking here of state law not casino policies) do prohibit the use of any communications device (including cell phones) in any sports book or sports book area of a larger casino - If you go into one of these areas with anything that looks like a radio you will probably attract attention realy quick.

 

[bob89129]

I never go in the sports book area but I'm glad you mentioned it. I do recall how they won't let you talk on a cell phone 'in there'. You must have run into an easy going security officer as I'd say that many aren't as smart about the issue.

 

[sigint1]

Actually I was not in a sports book area - just in general casino area - was just mentioning that the sports book is one place that you could run into a problem with a scanner, radio, cell phone even a pager - just in general have not had any real problems with a scanner in a casino I also spent six years in casion surveilance and in general most casinos are not concerned with scanners per se but when you get in a sports book area it becomes a different matter because it comes under gaming regs and NV is known for making casino enforce all gaming laws - but I am sure there are exceptions where a casino is paranoid such as the Golden Nugget mentioned above - and as was said casinos are considered private property and they can ask anyone to leave for no reason at all.

 

[bob89129]

Possibly there was a misunderstanding. I didn't think that you were in the sport book when approached.
I also temporarilly worked security and a little surveillance at a couple casinos. Not my cup of tea. They never talked about people with scanners or anything electronic. They did like to keep track of card counters and security always was kicking out slot surfers who look for machines with credits still on them.
I'm just looking for something interesting to do and listen to while waiting for my wife to drop our hard earned money into a machine with buttons on it.

 

[SCPD]

I went to a hamfest in Las Vegas many years ago just after I graduated from high school. I think it was in 1970. The sales people who booked the hamfest never told the organizers about state law or the hotel's policy on eletronic devices. This predated cell phones by many years so having an amateur HT at the blackjack table really stuck out. I was just watching as my interest in gambling is very low. Hotel security surrounded us and escorted us to a service area not accesible to the public. Their initial response was to call Metro and have us all booked. After a great deal of talking and mentioning that we had not been informed we were released. I don't remember the hotel but it was one of the major ones on the strip.

Even though Reno is the closest big city I don't frequent casinos except to go to the Peppermill or John's Nugget. It takes all I can muster to walk/run through the thick pall of smoke in the gaming area in order to get to the restaurant. Because of this I'm not going to many casinos or any restaurants in Nevada unless they are completely non-smoking because they are a national chain. When I have visited a casino I leave the handhelds in the car.

 

[br0adband]

I understand that it's possible to "get away with it" when monitoring on the premises, but the simple fact remains: the casinos will all tell you outright: "Don't do it here or we'll escort you off the property."

Many of them have posted signs at entries and exits that specifically forbid you from using monitoring equipment like scanners or near-field emission receivers on the property - any inch of it.

So, while it's possible, I'm just looking at it from the "should I really be doing this" perspective. We all do things we're not supposed to do, like 28 in a 25MPH zone for a basic example. Things happen sometimes when we simply aren't paying attention and the speed goes a bit higher than it should be.

But that's different from willfully going against what is (and I've never seen a casino that didn't have this policy) stated and posted policy.

Just my $.02...
bb

 

[bob89129]

"Many of them have posted signs at entries and exits that specifically forbid you from using monitoring equipment like scanners or near-field emission receivers on the property - any inch of it."

I don't want to make an issue of it at all. However, I'm one of those few people who have actually read signs in casinos. (I don't have much else to do.) But I've never read or seen a sign that mentions scanners or near-field emission receivers. I'd love to see one of those signs and take a photo of it even. Since I worked security at two different casino's, (foolish choice,) I can also attest that security was never even told about or asked to look for such devices.

I also can't stand the smoke.

 

[sigint1]

"I don't want to make an issue of it at all. However, I'm one of those few people who have actually read signs in casinos. (I don't have much else to do.) But I've never read or seen a sign that mentions scanners or near-field emission receivers."


I agree completely - at least in the Reno area - I have spent 10 years off and on in casino security and surveliance and I was never instructed nor did we have instructions to look for such devices in general other than in the sports book areas where it comes under state gaming regs or at table games where they are always looking for any method and/or devices that could be used in cheating. Maybe the casinos in Vegas are different - I can't speak for them but I know I have been in numerous Reno casinos (as recently as 2 weeks ago) with my scanner and/or ham handheld and other than the two priviously mentioned incidents I have never been questioned and in the two instances I was (one was in Harrahs's about a year ago and I cant remember where the other one was) once I displayed what it was (scanner both times) there was absolutely no problems and I have never been asked to leave due to having a radio/scanner on my person. Also I feel I should metioned that on both of these occaisions although not actually at a table game both times I was in close proximity to the pit area and in the case on Harrahs the pit drop was in progress at the time so I have no problem with the times I was questioned but cooperation goes a long way - I was polite (as were they) and cooperative and perfectly willing to show what I had - Like I said once they were aware of what I had there was no further concern over it.

Amazingly the one place I did have a problem was at Wal Mart in Reno when I had my BC246T with me - I had it in car using close call - I took it in the store with me - I had a jacket on and I had it in the inside vest pocket when it picked up an instore radio tramsmission - apparently someone noticed as all of a sudden I had three plain clothes security people with one of them challenging me - wanting to know why I was monitoring their "proprietary encrypted" transmissions ( yes I know they are not proprietary and they were definately not encrypted) - I volunteered to leave the store and was threatened with being detained and taken to the back room - I had enough then and told them I would not accompany them to the back room and that I intended to leave unless they advised me I was being placed under citizen's arrest at which time I would remain where I was until Reno Police arrived. About then one of the others had sense enough to call an on duty manager who after hearing what it was about called them off and I was allowed to go about my business. I am not familiar with Wal Mart security operations but I do know that on several occasions when I was in the store after that I kept seeing the same individuals seemingly shadowing me but I was have never approached again - as far as Wally World goes - I make sure I turn my scanner off if I even take it in at all.

 

[bob89129]

Br0adband said:
"But that's different from willfully going against what is (and I've never seen a casino that didn't have this policy) stated and posted policy.

Br0adband could you tell us where we could find this policy posted. I've been looking high and low but I just can't find it posted in any casino I've been in, anywhere.

 

[br0adband]

I'll be buying a digital camera this week so I look like a tourist (just kidding) and I'll drop into a few places downtown and see what I can see. In my experience of dealing with casinos over the past 10 years, they frown on anyone wearing any headphones, earbuds, earplugs, radios, etc. One thing they really hate nowadays are cellphones, but what can they do since so many people have them.

Security guards keep an eye out for anyone walking in or around the premises with headphones/earbuds on; if they see you stop in place as though you're focusing on the listening, or reach for something inside a jacket or attached to a belt clip of some kind, it typically prompts a reaction from them, usually they use their own comm equipment to contact base to notify them to keep the "eye in the sky" tagged on you.

Just my experience, and I've spent a lot of time in Vegas and in Atlantic City doing monitoring - just never on premises. It's not worth the hassle here in Vegas, really. It's still a cowboy state and the casinos still strongarm people when they feel it's necessary. "Just my experience" means just that, just my experience... <hint, hint>

bb