8 replies to this topic

[skaterava]

I'm trying to think of something quite unusual to feature in my car, and the idea of a radio scanner popped into my head. Only thing is, one of the things I'd like to do would be to listen to police radio. It's not illegal to merely listen, anyway . But I understand that the emergency services use some special form of radio wave to ensure people find it hard to listen in on them. I saw a bunch of people with CB radios at the L2B a couple of years ago, so I hope they might be able to make sense of this. The research I've done seems to suggest it is possible to still listen in to the police - question is, how hard would it be?

Thanks :)

[1994alex]

i believe you need a short wave radio but thats all i know, cb radios are pretty fun my dads mate has one in his escort, but yu stand out like a sore thumb as the ariels are massive

[miniman retford]

You could always join the force

[1994alex]

You could always join the force

Wheres the fun in that ;)

[skaterava]

i believe you need a short wave radio but thats all i know, cb radios are pretty fun my dads mate has one in his escort, but yu stand out like a sore thumb as the ariels are massive

I don't listen to music radio (It's all a load of c**p ) so perhaps I could fit the CB radio where the usual one sits on the wing? Perhaps a retractable one? Or are they not readily available?

It would be pretty sweet having one.

[Old Bob]

I'm trying to think of something quite unusual to feature in my car, and the idea of a radio scanner popped into my head. Only thing is, one of the things I'd like to do would be to listen to police radio. It's not illegal to merely listen, anyway . But I understand that the emergency services use some special form of radio wave to ensure people find it hard to listen in on them. I saw a bunch of people with CB radios at the L2B a couple of years ago, so I hope they might be able to make sense of this. The research I've done seems to suggest it is possible to still listen in to the police - question is, how hard would it be?

Thanks :)

Police radios are on UHF (Ultra High Frequency) and while it is still possible to listen, I do not believe it is legal to do so. Even if it looks as though you can, you could still be done under the Provention of Terrorism Act (which now acts as a catch-all for anything else the authorities don't want you to do).

If you really want 'cool' then how about legal amateur radio? You could soon be talking from your Mini to someone in Australia or China - that's cool!

Bob

[Artstu]

The Police now use TETRA radio's, they use encryption so you can't listen in. There are I believe some limited Police use on FM but as has been said already it is illegal to listen in strictly speaking.

http://en.wikipedia....l_Trunked_Radio


http://en.wikipedia....-end_encryption

[skaterava]

Hmm, the Prevention of Terrorism Act confers powers to the government in making "control orders" should they suspect an individual of terrorist activity. That would be subject to the reasonable suspicion test of the police. But upon looking at the Telegraphy Acts, I'm in agreement with you. Listening in on any public service is an offence.

That stinks, I was having fantasies of being in the fast and the furious, listening in on the po' po' to set up street races

[tiger99]

As has been said, the majority of police forces are now using Tetra, which is heavily encrypted, and you will not be able to decode that. Some still use shortish range walky-talky type equipment, around 450MHz, which is easily received on a scanner, but don't expect that to be around for much longer.

There is still lots of conventional mobile radio in use, which your scanner will pick up, but most of it will be uninteresting. There are also aircraft, and ships if you are near the coast. All illegal of course, due to the Wireless Telegraphy Act, but pay a visit to the observation area at any major airport and you will see that if no harm is being done, the law is rarely enforced.

Personally, I would fit a CB radio. They really do work best with the aerial right in the middle of the roof, where it was on my most recent Mini, and likely will be on the next.