Scanner in vehicle

[soberone14]

I was just wondering if a GMRS or a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit will be enough to have my scanner in my vehicle in the states that they are illegal in.

 

[bob550]

That's probably going to vary in each state that has these laws on the books. My guess is that neither license would help much to convince the authorities of your legitimate need to have a scanner in your car.

 

[Blackswan73]

In Indiana, the law clearly states amateur radio license. It does not make provision for any other type of license

 

[I_am_Alpha1]

Short answer: No

Longer answer: Since violations may result in jail time, fines, and equipment seizure, it may be better to read the individual state laws yourself instead of asking people that won't be representing you at your trial. Not that they are wrong, but I will not trust my freedom to a stranger's interpretation of the law. If you get stuck, try calling the specific state's attorney general office.

Never thought about it before, but technically would it be illegal to have the broadcastify app on your phone when you travel to/thru the few states that ban mobile scanners. Good reason to get an amateur license.

 

[flythunderbird]

Scanner laws in the 50 states:

U.S. Scanner Laws

I agree with the comments above - get the amateur license. I'm studying for one now.

 

[iMONITOR]

I was just wondering if a GMRS or a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit will be enough to have my scanner in my vehicle in the states that they are illegal in.

Try to get the law changed in your state. I'm sure you could drum up strong support!

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

On top of knowing the laws, if you do get pulled over, maybe shutdown and stow the gear. Just because something may be legal, it won’t stop a cop who’s less than honest from lying to you and trying to cite you or take your gear.

 

[DaveNF2G]

There are no automatic exemptions in any state for any sort of radio licensee. Such an exemption must be written into the relevant state law or it does not exist.

As someone else said, best read the laws where you will be traveling for yourself. And don't try to "read between the lines" or find justifications that are not written there. If a cop - rightly or wrongly - says that your radio is illegal, arguing the point by the roadside will only make the entire experience much worse for you. Tell it to the judge.

Broadcastify and other such apps would only violate a law that prohibited actually listening to communications, but don't expect local law enforcement to understand or care about such a distinction.

 

[KK4JUG]

Short answer: No

Longer answer: Since violations may result in jail time, fines, and equipment seizure, it may be better to read the individual state laws yourself instead of asking people that won't be representing you at your trial. Not that they are wrong, but I will not trust my freedom to a stranger's interpretation of the law. If you get stuck, try calling the specific state's attorney general office.

Never thought about it before, but technically would it be illegal to have the broadcastify app on your phone when you travel to/thru the few states that ban mobile scanners. Good reason to get an amateur license.

Wanting to use a scanner to bypass state laws is no valid reason to get an amateur radio license.

 

[DennisKink]

Scanner laws in the 50 states:

U.S. Scanner Laws

I agree with the comments above - get the amateur license. I'm studying for one now.

So this site refers to mobil use,not base stations?

 

[dlwtrunked]

So this site refers to mobil use,not base stations?

States are only able to regulate mobile use as they license vehicles.

 

[KC4RAF]

Dave, post #8, said it best. "Don't read between the lines". What is printed is what is law. Only higher courts can see if there's anything "between the lines".
Do a search for each state you plan to travel in/through, and read their laws. Doing so will save you time, money, equipment, maybe even jail time.

 

[DennisKink]

So is there a way of detecting scanner use in a vehicle?

 

[rfradioconsult]

Driver swerving all over the road and staring down at the dash.

 

[nd5y]

So is there a way of detecting scanner use in a vehicle?

Theoretically yes. You could build a receiver that detects a scanner's local oscillator but it would not be practical becase you would need to know the model of scanner, the frequencies programmed in it, and the order and speed that the frequencies were scanned.

 

[DennisKink]

Driver swerving all over the road and staring down at the dash.

Huh, that could be my wife looking at her call phone.

 

[DennisKink]

Theoretically yes. You could build a receiver that detects a scanner's local oscillator but it would not be practical becase you would need to know the model of scanner, the frequencies programmed in it, and the order and speed that the frequencies were scanned.

Thanks Tom

 

[wtp]

it worked well for me

back when the radios only had 10.7 or 10.8 IF's it was easy.
i worked in franklin lakes new jersey.
one of the cars said to "go to 2"
and the hunt was on.
i tried for months and got nothing.
then one day i took lunch in the police parking lot. it was the 90's so no one cared about security or a parked car.
their channel 1 was 159.09. so i hunted around plus and minus of that and got a thump every 3 seconds on 148.39.
that meant that channel 2 could be in the 158.73 to 159.24.
it was and i see that it is not listed.
so i will still give them some privacy.
have fun hunting and you have to be very close.

 

[dmg1969]

Like the others said, go with what each state's law says. If it says amateur radio license...that's what they mean. I am lucky enough to live in a state where mobile scanners are legal. One the one occasion that I was pulled over, I turned the scanner off so as not to invite curiosity or questions from the officer. Not that it matters, but they run on Open Sky, which cannot be monitored. But I don't know how much knowledge of scanners your typical officer has. For all she knew, I could have been listening to her. So, to avoid the hassle, I quickly turned it off.

 

[radio3353]

On top of knowing the laws, if you do get pulled over, maybe shutdown and stow the gear. Just because something may be legal, it won’t stop a cop who’s less than honest from lying to you and trying to cite you or take your gear.

Bold emphasis added by me.

Police are trained to look at your movements when they pull you over. If they see you appearing to move or stow something you just invited a car search for drugs or anything else illegal. Don't be obvious that you are doing something wrong.