police radio scanner

I was thinking about buying a police radio scanner so that i could hear what the police are saying in my city. But im wondering if having one is illegal or if listenting to the cops is illegal. So if i were to get pulled over and the cop saw that i had a police scanner would i get in trouble?
thanks

Yes it's legal most of the time but depends on the jurisdcition.

For example in some jurisdcitions is illegal to use them in the car. In some jurisdiction you can't buy one if you have criminal record. And using it during a crime is also illegal. Also in some jurisdcitions you can listen BUT you can't spread out the information.

BUT even if is legal in your area, more and more police department are starting to change to encrypted digital frequencies so even if you get the scanner and their frequency you wouldn't be able to listen. So try the scanner before handing the money and don't trust all Internet sites; try to test the scanner in person.

And make sure to know the laws of your jurisdcition.

But for more legal detail read the articles:

Scanner:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanner_(ra dio)

Legality:
http://www.policescanners.net/general-in fotmation/scanner-legality

2009-06-09 19:06:51 by gnarlykid

FROM: www.nytimes.com (newspaper). Listening direct to New York police radio messages to be on the spot for the latest news with the cops. TIP- IF ...

scanner signals?
I have an older scanner and I can only receive weather signals
do I need a new digital scanner?

Bart - I have been a scanner listener for years and I have never heard of "broadband" when it comes to scanners. Are you sure you don't mean "digital"?

Your best bet is to go down to your local Radio Shack and ask them what type of scanner you need for your town or city.

You may not need an expensive digital scanner. It all depends on what type of radio system your police use.

2009-06-09 16:29:26 by Bart S

Price: $89.99

Includes service search and weather scan
Store and scan up to 100 channels
AM/FM Radio
Alarm clock with snooze function

I am trying to find the police radio frequincies for the town of Valley Center, KS. I have looked online for sometime and cant find it without paying for it.

Not everything is free. Go to Radio Shack, and buy a frequency/scanner book for the whole region.

2007-08-03 13:55:33 by looking4info

Price: $99.99

Preprogrammed service search lets you find your favorites quickly
Coverage includes "action" bands for police, ambulance, fire, amateur radio, etc.
300-channels base mobile scanner with 100 channels/second scan speed (max)
Lock out unwanted frequencies with search and temporary lockouts
RF capture technology instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters

I want to know how is the radio of police works and a radio scanner?

I am just curios because I have a experience when i am a boy my I have open my walkie talkie toy and make some change i dont know just change it, it is a walkie talkie 2 way, and I think we can talk about 2 house... when i have change it and open it I can here some police talking in it.. bla.. bla.. bla..

The radios are programmed to a specific frequency, just like your AM/FM radio. Sometimes, frequencies can be close, and a condition called "cross talk" occurs. The same as when you are listening to music, and another station fades in and out.

2009-02-17 06:28:11 by Obyndjd O

I would like to be able to listen to the New Orleans, LA police department using a police scanner. Which one out there would be able to pick them up?
Thanks!

if you are new to scanning I suggest you go to a local Radio Shack and talk to them or go to the bearcat site and check out their extensive info.
NOPD is in the 800 MHz range and you need a scanner that does .5 step intervals.
Remember these are FM signals and can only be heard "line of sight". I have seen people living far away from a town not understanding that it is radio waves they are trying to pick up.

2009-05-17 14:40:36 by psp0278