Where do you take your scanner?

[KB4REA]

I'm curious to know....how many of you out there take your scanner with you inside stores and businesses?? If so what are some of the places that you have monitored from inside?? Anything interesting?? Do you try to hide the scanner or do you not mind if others see it or hear it??

I've been thinking about doing this but here in Florida it is illegal to travel with any kind of police scanner. So if an officer notices me with it in a store or the mall, I imagine that if he wanted to he could just follow me to my car or call another officer to "bust me" for having it. :roll: If you're from Florida I'd be interested in knowing what you do...but these questions are for everyone, Thanks.

 

[jpm]

When I go to Florida for my vacation the portable scanner stays in the car and/or hotel room. I don't make it a point for deputy dawg to see me with a portable scanner other than in my car or hotel room. I am a law abiding citizen myself.

 

[scanjunkie]

In PA you can take your scanner with you anywhere...I just choose to listen in the car and at home...I don't have a particular need to take it into any stores.
But whatever you do...follow the law. It's not worth losing your scanner just to listen to Jimmy stocking the shelves at Wal-Mart!

Enjoy!

 

[LarryN]

I carry mine in the car 90% of the time. If something major is going on or if the weather is getting ugly I carry it in the store. I just keep the volume real low and try to keep a low profile.

 

[SlipNutz15]

I have one in my car, a have portable radios depending on the county and company I'm running with. I have one in my bed room hooked to the online scanner, I have another one in my bedroom that scans everything else. I have one at my fire station and there's on in the kitchen. I can't wait till I get my own house, every room is going to be wired hah

 

[LordJ]

Ummm, everywhere..kinda like an appendage. It's benign, so the doc says leave it there on my hip. You really never know when you might hear something good. Sometimes it is not on, but always with me, just in case.

 

[rhutch]

I take mine in the car with me, I always have it in my work vehicle. The 296 I just used at home or in the car or hotel when I traveled. The great thing with the 396 is that it is so small it is truly portable I find I'm taking more places and just stick it in my pocket and listen with ear buds.

 

[cj5]

Mountain biking

Well, outside of home and listening at work (with headphones no less), I have recently gotten very frustrated with all the mountains blocking my reception, so yesterday, out of curiosity I jumped on my mountain bike, and headed to the top of Cranmore Mt. (not a big mountain at all). After about an hour of struggling upgrade, I perched myself on some granite up top, and listened to crystal clear reception. And the best thing about that location, is there's no one around. By the way I brought my portable BC-296D, and my IC-R20.

 

[traperjeff]

I carry mine with me when something big is going down. But here is one to think about....

You go to Radio Shack and buy a scanner and the helpful little person programs it for you.... AAAAHHHH you are now a criminal........ Better walk home...... I can see it now Sting task forces set up outside Radio Shack...........I'v said it before only if you are Amblance chaseing and you are some place you should not be or a over zelas rookie would arrest you. Could you belive the ribbing a officer would get for that arrest..... Watch out the scanner cop is comming..Hurry up dude kill the squelch...and that would come from other officers...... I just can't belive that it is that big of deal to them..... The big thing here right now is STOP running RED Light campaign, Witch I think is a whole lot better than sitting in the RS parking lot.......

My 2 cents,

 

[KB4REA]

You go to Radio Shack and buy a scanner and the helpful little person programs it for you.... AAAAHHHH you are now a criminal........ Better walk home...... I can see it now Sting task forces set up outside Radio Shack

LOL...That's pretty funny...

I have a PRO-97...so as you know, it's not that small of a scanner that can be easily concealed while walking around. But that's no biggie...I mostly monitor Civil and Mil Air here in Jacksonville, Fl from my car, even from inside my apartment. But I still have to be careful when on the road.

 

[Voyager]

I'm curious to know....how many of you out there take your scanner with you inside stores and businesses?? If so what are some of the places that you have monitored from inside?? Anything interesting?? Do you try to hide the scanner or do you not mind if others see it or hear it??

I've been thinking about doing this but here in Florida it is illegal to travel with any kind of police scanner. So if an officer notices me with it in a store or the mall, I imagine that if he wanted to he could just follow me to my car or call another officer to "bust me" for having it. :roll: If you're from Florida I'd be interested in knowing what you do...but these questions are for everyone, Thanks.

When I went to FL a couple years ago, I made sure I had a copy of my ham license with me just in case. Not once did I need it, but that was obviously before the even more insane law they just passed. If you don't have a ham license, or can claim any other exemption, you can't do much more than use it at home without being at risk. Where are you going to go that isn't a "place of business" or in any vehicle? Technically, if the scanner is preprogrammed, it's not even legal for the UPS guy to have it in his truck. Maybe someday there will be a scanner association that will be able to get a federal law passed that preempts these stupid state laws. But then again, we are talking about a state where too many people don't know how to read names on... oh nevermind.

The only point I was ever questioned on while I was in FL was why I had so many extra antennas. I think that was at EPCOT. I said they were for my scanner and that was a good enough answer for them.

Joe M.

 

[Voyager]

LOL...That's pretty funny...

It would be... IF IT WEREN'T POSSIBLE! With how the FL law is written, they could do that!

Joe M.

 

[BaLa]

what's epcot? Disney World?



I almost always take my scanner with me everwhere.
Except into work, as it is to loud there to here it anyways.

 

[KB4REA]

what's epcot? Disney World?

Yeah, EPCOT Center is in Disney...I remember going there when I was like 8 years old and some lady, I think the person who drove the shuttle bus in the parking lot, told us what 'EPCOT' meant supposedly: Every Person Comes Out Tired...I'm sure it was a joke, dunno, never asked anybody...

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, I guess I need to consider more seriously about getting a Ham license for some peace of mind...I just don't really know what's involved in doing that. This Ham license, how often does it need to be renewed, every year, every few years?? Well, I can look up some information about it today...but if you know of a particularly helpful website, post it if you will...Thanks

 

[rhutch]

www.arrl.org will get you started.

 

[radio10-8]

We can argue both sides of the benefits of having suchs laws. I don't know the Florida law but I highly doubt you 'll be arrestted and hauled off to jail for possessing a scanner. Maybe you'll recieve a written citation. This means you can tell the judge what you were doing with it. If your a law abiding citizen with no prior criminal history the judge will probably let you slide right out of the courthouse and move on to other things. In other parts of the U.S. I have used my scanner inside of several department stores, airports, office buildings and just about anywhere I think I could hear something. Example, department stores usually has store security and stockers talking with the cashiers. Usually hearing teenagers flirt with eacother or talking about the customers. Airports are great for scanning, Why? Airplanes and the tower, Airline Operations will tell you why your flight is REALLY delayed? New gate assignments and empty first class seats you can ask for. Office buildings are great for wireless phone headsets (Thanks! Plantronics 900 mhz)
Wearing a clear $12.00 earpiece (think secret service) usually does the trick for me to avoid being bothered. I would recommend using a small scanner if you can. Also set one of your channels to a local radio or tv station, if appraoached by "the man" just tell him the score to the game or give him a soap opera update. Happy Listening!

 

[MacombMonitor]

Here in Michigan, you can pretty much take your scanner where ever you want. However, if you plan to "use" it in your car, and you're not a Ham, then you need to apply for a Scanner Permit from the Michigan State Police, which is yours for the asking (FREE), provided you do not have a serious criminal record.

 

[Al42]

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, I guess I need to consider more seriously about getting a Ham license for some peace of mind...I just don't really know what's involved in doing that.

A little electronic theory (very little) and some basic radio law. Five words/minute morse code if you want to get a higher class license (along with stiffer theory and law).

This Ham license, how often does it need to be renewed, every year, every few years??

Every 10 years, but it's just mailing in a form (now - maybe they'll put a renewal form on the web for electronic submission soon - unless they have and I haven't noticed).

Well, I can look up some information about it today...but if you know of a particularly helpful website, post it if you will...Thanks

As rutch said, the ARRL is the place to start (and join once you get your license).

 

[traperjeff]

We can argue both sides of the benefits of having suchs laws. I don't know the Florida law but I highly doubt you 'll be arrestted and hauled off to jail for possessing a scanner. Maybe you'll recieve a written citation.

No citations in my county.... very seldom they issue notice appear... Usally it is place your hands behind your back. Because it is a mistaminor.

I wonder if pre trial intrervention would include scanner annoymous meetings.....

 

[KB4REA]

Thanks for all the Ham license info, that website is very informative. There's a book called "Now you're talking" that I would like to find and browse thru at a bookstore before deciding to purchase it. I haven't had any success finding books on Radio monitoring or the like at any bookstore I go to. Then again, I never ask for help from the workers there...get busy looking at something else. Next time I'll ask, from what I've read that book has all the information I need to pass the basic exam.