Thank you for the interesting replies and assumptions. To be clear, I was not in a vehicle. I was in a hotel room with my trusty old PSR500. Usually I do not bring “newer” radios while traveling.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Recent NYC Monitoring
- Thread starter jgorman21
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Depending on how that law is interpreted. Nothing can decode a scrambled or coded police broadcast except a radio with a proper encryption key.
§ 10-103 Use of devices to decode coded police transmission via radio
or television prohibited. a. It shall be unlawful in the city of New
York for any person to unscramble or decode or possess or use any
instrument or article capable of unscrambling or decoding, scrambled or
coded police broadcasts by radio or television, unless such person is
duly authorized to do so by permit issued by the police commissioner of
the city of New York.
b. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 10-103 Use of devices to decode coded police transmission via radio
or television prohibited. a. It shall be unlawful in the city of New
York for any person to unscramble or decode or possess or use any
instrument or article capable of unscrambling or decoding, scrambled or
coded police broadcasts by radio or television, unless such person is
duly authorized to do so by permit issued by the police commissioner of
the city of New York.
b. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
My thoughts exactly paul612, well said.
They might mean dongle as the modified tv tuner dongle is what allows us sdr..
source, About RTL-SDR
"The origins of RTL-SDR stem from mass produced DVB-T TV tuner dongles that were based on the RTL2832U chipset. With the combined efforts of Antti Palosaari, Eric Fry and Osmocom (in particular Steve Markgraf) it was found that the raw I/Q data on the RTL2832U chipset could be accessed directly, which allowed the DVB-T TV tuner to be converted into a wideband software defined radio via a custom software driver developed by Steve Markgraf. If you've ever enjoyed the RTL-SDR project please consider donating to Osmocom via Open Collective. "
source, About RTL-SDR
"The origins of RTL-SDR stem from mass produced DVB-T TV tuner dongles that were based on the RTL2832U chipset. With the combined efforts of Antti Palosaari, Eric Fry and Osmocom (in particular Steve Markgraf) it was found that the raw I/Q data on the RTL2832U chipset could be accessed directly, which allowed the DVB-T TV tuner to be converted into a wideband software defined radio via a custom software driver developed by Steve Markgraf. If you've ever enjoyed the RTL-SDR project please consider donating to Osmocom via Open Collective. "
I know it's getting off topic, but let me clarify New York State law on police scanners since when this comes up there's always tons of confusion and misinformation. And let's be clear, I think the law is stupid.
First, the correct law to cite that law enforcement in New York, including NYC, always points to is §397 of the New York State V&TL. It's very specific. In plain English, it states that you cannot have a radio receiver or transceiver in a vehicle capable of receiving frequencies used by police, even if you are a sworn law enforcement/public safety employee or volunteer, unless you are issued a permit by the local, county, or state legislative body. Or, if you a FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operator using a Part 97 approved receiver/transceiver, never deviating into police frequencies even if it is not capable of transmitting on said spectrum. Scanners are flat out illegal in a vehicle anywhere in New York without a government permit.
What about if it's off, or not plugged in? Still illegal in a vehicle. Yeah, seriously. Re: New York v. Verdino, 1974 78 Misc.2d 719, 357 N.Y.S.2d 769.
So the FCC rules overrule New York when it comes to Amateur Radio Operators' right? Noooope. They ruled the law is constitutional and does not conflict with federal law because the law doesn't prohibit or interfere with ham operation on ham frequencies. Re: People v. McGee, 1978, 97 Misc.2d 360, 411 N.Y.S.2d 514.
Long story short, scanners, or any radio capable of receiving police transmissions on any band, with the exception of ham radio gear as long as it's never tuned to police frequencies, are completely illegal in New York State in a vehicle without a government permit. Period.
Stupid as that is.
As to a scanner outside a vehicle in New York State/NYC, yes § 10-103 is the only one that applies. And as the court has interpreted it, as long as you are not decrypting, descrambling, or interfering with the transmissions, and you're not in possession in the commission of a misdemeanor or felony crime, you're legal.
First, the correct law to cite that law enforcement in New York, including NYC, always points to is §397 of the New York State V&TL. It's very specific. In plain English, it states that you cannot have a radio receiver or transceiver in a vehicle capable of receiving frequencies used by police, even if you are a sworn law enforcement/public safety employee or volunteer, unless you are issued a permit by the local, county, or state legislative body. Or, if you a FCC licensed Amateur Radio Operator using a Part 97 approved receiver/transceiver, never deviating into police frequencies even if it is not capable of transmitting on said spectrum. Scanners are flat out illegal in a vehicle anywhere in New York without a government permit.
What about if it's off, or not plugged in? Still illegal in a vehicle. Yeah, seriously. Re: New York v. Verdino, 1974 78 Misc.2d 719, 357 N.Y.S.2d 769.
So the FCC rules overrule New York when it comes to Amateur Radio Operators' right? Noooope. They ruled the law is constitutional and does not conflict with federal law because the law doesn't prohibit or interfere with ham operation on ham frequencies. Re: People v. McGee, 1978, 97 Misc.2d 360, 411 N.Y.S.2d 514.
Long story short, scanners, or any radio capable of receiving police transmissions on any band, with the exception of ham radio gear as long as it's never tuned to police frequencies, are completely illegal in New York State in a vehicle without a government permit. Period.
Stupid as that is.
As to a scanner outside a vehicle in New York State/NYC, yes § 10-103 is the only one that applies. And as the court has interpreted it, as long as you are not decrypting, descrambling, or interfering with the transmissions, and you're not in possession in the commission of a misdemeanor or felony crime, you're legal.
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scosgt
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In a recent case in the Court of Appeals it was brought up that cell phones are capable of listening to Police broadcasts.
While it was not ruled on, based on the arguments, it is possible that someone could be arrested for having a scanner app on their cell phone.
While it was not ruled on, based on the arguments, it is possible that someone could be arrested for having a scanner app on their cell phone.
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