Federal Communications Act of 1933 says it shall be illegal to interfere with reception of electromagnetic radiation...

Went by the Ky St PD today to ask for info on the codes. The lady looked at me like "What the H-ll did you just ask me for"? I asked again with a little more detail as to what I was doing and she told me pretty much "NO, I don't have them for you".
Then I went to the Radio Shack. Gave the sales guy the same info. He said he would print me a copy. Got the copy and without looking it over (surprised he didn't charge me), folded it up and took off. Half way back to the shop I thought I had better look at the paper. He gave the list to program the scanner. Well I guess I now have a complete list of them now.
I still don"t know if it's illegal for civilians to use one or not, but it sure does seem like it is looked down on. Oh well, I will just keep my mouth shut and keep on listening.
Don't like to be nosy but it is fun to listen to.

Would listening be considered interfering? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I would think that if it were they wouldn't sell scanners. I believe that may mean that if you try to talk on it or use it. Here I think its only illegal to have them in your vehicle.

Most all those people who run around looking for stories/pictures have them in their vehicles.

I know this to be so as I saw it on the TV once. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thought I would take a look for sure. Sure enough....an arrestable class B Misdemeanor

http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar44/ch3.html#IC35-44-3-12

But I think they have to prove you were doing something illegal or helping someone doing something illegal. This is Indiana state law anyway. Laws vary by state.

Unless they can some how track down the house that has it, I'll be alright. Illegal or not. Don't do any drugs (unless beer becomes illegal), and don't know anybody who does anything. SOO... As for reporters using mobile units that is true. Brother In Law rolls with one and he works for the local paper.

Last night the cops were breaking off the 10 codes, I don't know why they switch it up. But time will tell. Maybe they were identifying them selves from one another.

What Brian said.

Unless things have changed from 9/11 & homeland security, the law is/was that you could receive any signal that's being broadcasted and it's up to the sender to encrypt it to prevent you from receiving an intelligible signal.

Plus lets face it, it's not practical to enforce a law that prevented you from listening in. Lets face it, little kids with a science project could end up going to jail.

This is also why most police departments have both open and a secure radio nets. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just remember the new homeland insecurity stuff allows the cops to come on in without an invite on your part.

That scanner may have just made you ineligible for jury duty come to think about it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rodent.gif" alt="" />

Jury Duty=Waist Of Time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />
With the work that I do, I am way too busy. On top of that it does not pay the bills. Also they give you a brown bag lunch don't they. So, it sounds like they might as well lock you up while their at it.

Jury Duty=Minimum Pay-Watch What You Say To People-Bologna Sandwich/OJ or Milk-No Worky= Not For Me <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

I know its O/T but they just rebuilt the court house in Charlotte, and it has wi-fi, computers, tvs, pool tables, all kinds of stuff for people called in on Jury duty. So maybe you need to move? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />