Police Scanner?

Schwinnstingray1964 · May 4, 2010

Are they illegal?

Do they make 12v Models?

daniel3507 · May 4, 2010

It all depends on your state. I know in my state they are fine as long as you dont use them to commit a crime or aid in a crime. And yes there are lots that run off 12v and can be run in cars and trucks

strvger · May 4, 2010

illegal in Minnesota for sure.

COPPERHEAD85 · May 4, 2010

Like said above in some states you cant have them in your ride.

I sell the Bearcat handheld 100 channel.........sold 2 today.

Original_Ranger84 · May 4, 2010

I think they are illegal in alaska or something... well people have them but you can get in trouble if you have one when you get pulled over....

Will · May 4, 2010

Generally you can have them but you are not allowed to respond to them. You can listen to what is going on but you can't ambulance chase. I have heard that they are illegal to use in a vehicle but are fine mounted at home.

I have one--it's a Radio Shack branded Bearcat. It is a 12V vehicle mount thing. When I was commuting in California I used it for entertainment. Now I use it for the weather mainly, though I turn it on when sirens go by. It's the same mounting as a CB but has a leg under it to prop it up for setting on a table.

I also monitor the family radio network radios we have. The kids are supposed to take them with them when they leave the area of the house.

spitse · Jun 16, 2010

I have one at work here in OK. The Police Chief helped me set it up. One of our workers is married to the Chief, so now we don't have to have her text him to find out what is going on

every time the sirens go off. The Fire and Police Department are across the road.

whocares · Jul 3, 2010

In Kentucky it is Illegal to have one in a vehicle unless you are some form of Law Enforcement or have Media credentials.

bodkin1 · Jul 4, 2010

In Illinois and Missouri they are legal. Occasionally when I have to pass thru Kentucky or Indiana I just bootleg it. One rule of thumb is follow the speed limit, and commit no traffic violations. :icon_thumby:

Only reason I have a scanner is I am a railfan, and I use it to keep track of any trains in the area. I don't even listen to the police chatter.

mn_smokeater · Jul 4, 2010

strvger said:
illegal in Minnesota for sure.

yep i cant carry a scanner but hmm my Radio has this great scan feature on it that gets all the main channels we use.

jmaynard · Jul 5, 2010

strvger said:
illegal in Minnesota for sure.

Unless you're a ham radio operator.

strvger · Jul 6, 2010

jmaynard said:
Unless you're a ham radio operator.

oh yeah, i forgot about those cb radio scanners!

:icon_rofl:

jk

Smokeybehr · Jul 12, 2010

Scanners are legal to have in your car in most states. The only states where it's illegal WITHOUT an amateur license is MN, IN, KY, NY, and FL. The rest of the states may have "furtherance of a crime" statutes, or local restrictions. If you have an amateur radio license, there's no need to worry.

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html

--weezl-- · Jul 12, 2010

i have always been told (in canada) they are legal to own, but illegal to have in a vehicle... they are more or less useless up here anyways, what few police departments that still use uhf/vhf (or similar) radios, have them encoded, a lot of the departments up here are using cellphone based technology, such as the MIKE network, which is much more secure

The_Dealer · Jul 12, 2010

i have one, just make sure u get a trunking scanner, or else it will be pretty useless

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