Simviation Forums

are these legel in the UK?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=40979&item=5755530581&rd=1

and would this be a good starter one?
and can you use them at airports?


Craig

i see people using these things all the time at air displays. Quite frankly I wish I didn't as they can be a blasted nuisance, especially if people either side of me are tuned to different frequencies. I class them almost in the same way as mobile phones which I hate. They also sell them on stalls all over the airfields. Therefore I can't see how they can be illegal. I have no idea of which one to recommend as I have no intention of getting one.

Sorry. Rant over.

well this one has head phones so only you can hear it

Craig

Maybe I exaggerated a little. They can be quite useful & I often ask someone with one what's going on. I'm not sure how good the cheaper ones are. My friend bought one & only used it once. He spent the whole time fiddling with it instead of watching the air display which seemed a complete waste of time & money to me.

O.k O.k I might just buy it, theres six available ! Shall I ?

Since several people have asked about listening to ATC transmissions recently I had a punt round. I found this which I assume applies to the UK as it's on a British site. http://www.airsupply.co.uk/information.htm

Not sure if it clarifies things or not. I find this a tad confusing.

REMEMBER - LISTENING TO AIRCRAFT FREQUENCIES IS ILLEGAL. Owing and using a scanner is NOT.

What the hell ?

It also says this which might answer Craig's original question.

WARNING: Always check airport bylaws before taking a radio onto Airport property as authorisation may be required. Listening to certain frequencies requires a licence.

To simplify it. There is a very old law which states your not allowed to listen to aircraft transmissions as Doug posted. However this law hasn't been used in many years and listening in isnt a problem. However do not buy a transceiver and start talking to aircraft or you could be in for a visit from the coppers

I find it confusing enough trying to make sense of ATC transmissions whilst in the cockpit, without duplicating the agony by listening to them on the ground as well... ...!

I find myself repeating the word "Pardon?" at regular intervals...LOL... ...!

Paul.... ...!

lol, the UK is too sensitive with comms! Too many restrictive laws!

Here in the US you can listen to air traffic with a standard (digital tuner) scanner without worrying. Those cheap, analog tuned things are not worth it, they take way too long to tune.

At one time, (I don't know if its still current), it was/is illegal to tune your domestic radio to listen to Police and Ambulance radio transmissions...!

...like listening to the local neighbours scandalous/illegal/dubious activities being reported over the air waves.... ...!
Tee-Hee... ...!

Paul.... ...!

My neighbour once picked up my conversation with a friend on my cordless phone when he was messing around with his ordinary radio set. Good job he told me or there's no telling what he might have heard. I could have been talking about him or chatting up Jordan.

Needless to say I've never used it since. Way too risky.

My neighbour once picked up my conversation with a friend on my cordless phone when he was messing around with his ordinary radio set. Good job he told me or there's no telling what he might have heard. I could have been talking about him or chatting up Jordan.

Needless to say I've never used it since. Way too risky.

Accidentally done that a few times myself. its a tad worrying how easy it is.

oh i got one of those radios that has a switcher, i can get AM, FM, VHF low, VHF high, SW, & UHF

i only use VHF high, since it's the only one for airports

and btw, what is SW and UHF?