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UER Forum > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners? (Viewed 692 times)
Mellon_Collie 


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Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
< on 11/16/2005 12:22 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I was just wondering if anyone uses Radio or Police scanners when they UE. I was talking to my boss about ham radio and, he mentioned his scanner later in the conversation, and it struck me as a great idea. You ought to be able to hear any police, or security chatter while they are still maybe a few blocks away, so you could have some time to get out. Now of course, if you do get caught, it would look suspicious, but I do not think scanners are illegal (In the US anyways), and so long as they do not catch you on someone else's property, they really can not do anything to you for just looking suspicious. But I mean that is the whole point of having a scanner, so you do not get caught. What does everyone else think? Good idea, bad idea? Would it maybe suck the the the thrill out?

tnarduzzi 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 1 on 11/16/2005 12:28 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by melancholy
I was just wondering if anyone uses Radio or Police scanners when they UE. I was talking to my boss about ham radio and, he mentioned his scanner later in the conversation, and it struck me as a great idea. You ought to be able to hear any police, or security chatter while they are still maybe a few blocks away, so you could have some time to get out. Now of course, if you do get caught, it would look suspicious, but I do not think scanners are illegal (In the US anyways), and so long as they do not catch you on someone else's property, they really can not do anything to you for just looking suspicious. But I mean that is the whole point of having a scanner, so you do not get caught. What does everyone else think? Good idea, bad idea? Would it maybe suck the the the thrill out?


Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the radios security guards use usually quiet until someone is caught?

eidolon 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 2 on 11/16/2005 12:31 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
In some states it's illegal to use a scanner within a moving vehicle, and I believe it's illegal in most, if not all, to use one during the commission of a criminal act. That means greatly increased suspicion of you if you're using one while trespassing I'd imagine, and another charge they can tack on.

They are very effective though, though you'd want to learn any codes the police in your area use. Also, most departments now use a trunking system, which requires a slightly more complex and expensive variety of scanner, but has the benefit of being much easier to track conversations. Encryption is becoming commonplace as well, amongst even commercial operators, so if you plan to listen to some organizations chatter you'd need a laptop and some specialized software, or some even more exotic hardware to decrypt it, and I imagine that that sort of thing is even more illegal than using just a scanner while you're trespassing or doing anything else illegal. Might even be illegal to possess, depending on where you are.

eidolon 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 3 on 11/16/2005 12:32 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Normz


Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the radios security guards use usually quiet until someone is caught?


You could get lucky and catch a dispatch to check out the noise you're making while exploring or whatever, or to hear them talking while on rounds and determine if they think anything unusual is going on, or where they are presently.

Mellon_Collie 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 4 on 11/16/2005 12:33 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Well only if they are working alone. If there is more than one, he would be likely to tell his buddy he heard something, and where he is going. But if there is only one security guard, yeah, you are right. Unless he is weird or something...

Also, question to the moderator who moved my topic, why did you move my post? I am not angry or complaining, just curious. This is the second time this has happened and I did not think it was off topic in the "Main".
this:

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Soho 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 5 on 11/16/2005 12:34 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
NO, there is almost always chatter going on. You would be best off waiting arround for 24 hours to see if you cna hear anything in the area. By this I mean you should scout out the ara and listen for chatter. IF you hear anything close, that probably means there is a patrol going on, or that a police vehicle is passing by. Also, as for the scanner, look up the PRO-83 from radioshack. I own one and am pleased with it. It has ALOT of hidden features which would be good to look up via google. I also believe that 2600 has an article about it.

Mellon_Collie 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 6 on 11/16/2005 12:39 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
You can often pickup telephone, and cellphone conversations too.


In some states it's illegal to use a scanner within a moving vehicle, and I believe it's illegal in most, if not all, to use one during the commission of a criminal act. That means greatly increased suspicion of you if you're using one while trespassing I'd imagine, and another charge they can tack on.


I am sure that is very true, but that is the whole point of having the scanner in the first place. To not get caught. Once you are off the premises, put it off, turn it away. Unless the cop actually saw you come off the premises, or they had cameras where you came from, it is unlikely they could do anything.

tick 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 7 on 11/16/2005 1:04 AM >
Posted on Forum: Infiltration Forums
 
A friend of mine was exploring a steam tunnel, when over his scanner her heard police being dispatched to investigate someone entering a manhole (not him, someone else). The cops entered the steam tunnel at two separate locations, and caught the other guy. Thanks to his scanner, my friend was able to turn around and get out of there before the cops showed up. Because of his location, he would have almost certainly been caught otherwise.

And yeah, the scanner worked underground. I didn't believe it until I saw it for myself.

el nerdo 

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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 8 on 11/16/2005 1:27 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
It's actually a felony in some states to use a scanner in the commission of a crime (and YES, that includes trespassing). So if the officer really didn't like you, or heaven forbid, someone gave him some lip, you could be in serious trouble.

Also, in many states, it's very illegal to even have a scanner in your car.

In New York, for example, the only way you can legally have a scanner in your car is with a press permit from the police or if you have an amateur radio license.

Mellon_Collie 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 9 on 11/16/2005 2:49 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Well in Texas it is not illegal, and more power to us who do have amateur radio licenses No doubt regardless the circumstance, you would be in considerably more trouble if you got caught. But again I emphasize the point of having the scanner is so you can know the cops are coming after you, which should at least give you enough time to at least get off the property, if not be gone altogether. I suppose if they were about to be on top of you though, you could toss the scanner over a fence or something for later retrieval.

Of course, you should always be polite to police officers. Especially if you are in no situation to be giving lip. Like you have a scanner, or a crowbar or something.

I for one am willing to accept the consequences of my actions, and am willing to take calculated risks. People will do what they want, or do not want to do. I also realize that nothing is perfect or fool-proof, but I think it would be a very valuable tool.

Tiberius 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 10 on 11/16/2005 2:24 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
If you were in a small group have one member have head phones in the scanner listening at all times for chatter and the other two go about watching backs and listening for footsteps or cars, kind of like a Special Forces mission

CyberShoe 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 11 on 11/16/2005 8:58 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I would even go one step further, and have the scanner operator remain out of the premises, and relay any information to the team via FRS/GMRS/whatever radios. This not only prevents the police from finding the scanner if you end up being caught anyways (because no plan is 100% foolproof), but also has the added benefit of allowing the scanner operator to pay closer attention to the radio chatter.

- CyberShoe
Mellon_Collie 


Location: Utah'ish
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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 12 on 11/17/2005 12:26 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I would even go one step further, and have the scanner operator remain out of the premises, and relay any information to the team via FRS/GMRS/whatever radios. This not only prevents the police from finding the scanner if you end up being caught anyways (because no plan is 100% foolproof), but also has the added benefit of allowing the scanner operator to pay closer attention to the radio chatter.


Yeah that would definitely be a good idea. I honestly would probably bring the scanner, but never listen good enough to know if I am about to be busted. Sometimes you would be surprised at how much chatter there is going on from sources you do not care about.



Post by Tiberius

If you were in a small group have one member have head phones in the scanner listening at all times for chatter and the other two go about watching backs and listening for footsteps or cars, kind of like a Special Forces mission


Yeah I was kind of thinking like Mission Impossible in a school, or hospital or something. You could even make turn it into a game or something. Maybe like infiltration-geocaching or something, have a target you know? I think it might appeal to ninja's, maybe not though, they strike me as maybe being "purists", but what do I know about Ninjas?

Indiana Jones 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 13 on 11/17/2005 2:28 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by el nerdo
It's actually a felony in some states to use a scanner in the commission of a crime (and YES, that includes trespassing). So if the officer really didn't like you, or heaven forbid, someone gave him some lip, you could be in serious trouble.

Also, in many states, it's very illegal to even have a scanner in your car.

In New York, for example, the only way you can legally have a scanner in your car is with a press permit from the police or if you have an amateur radio license.


What he said.

Also, you have to check out the wording of the law in your state. In some places it says it's illegal to have a scanner installed in your vehicle "capable" of receiving police transmissions. This means even if your not listening to the cops, or don't even have the frequencies programmed in the scanner, it's still 'capable' of receiving and therefore illegal. There is also a debate as to what 'installed' means. It's pretty much up to the judge.

To me, it's not worth it. Trespassing vs. a felony....hmmm.

Or do what cybershoe says. Although the scanner operator is helping you to trespass so if he gets spotted.....

"the essential act of the Party is to use conscious deception while retaining the firmness of purpose that goes with complete honesty." -1984
Viper 


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Re: Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners?
<Reply # 14 on 11/17/2005 4:19 AM >
Posted on Forum:
 
I used to have a scanner, but only for the enjoyment of listening in. I personally don't think it is a good idea to bring along. If an officer catches you with it chances are either you or the scanner will not be going home. It is a lot harder to talk you way out of or plead ingorance in a situation if you are caught somewhere you are not supposed to be with a scanner. While it might sound cleche, in my opinion using ones own skill to evade authority is the best method.

Posted by melancholy
Also, question to the moderator who moved my topic, why did you move my post? I am not angry or complaining, just curious. This is the second time this has happened and I did not think it was off topic in the "Main".

This might seem appropriate in the Main section, sometimes there is a little better section for a thread to be put in. Equipment for example usually falls into Tutorials.

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UER Forum > Archived UE Tutorials, Lessons, and Useful Info > Does Anyone Use Radio/Police Scanners? (Viewed 692 times)



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