Simviation Forums

anyone on here know the rules for.. listening to live atc. in the u.s..im in the uk so is it legal for me 2 do this?

thanks....

Don't see why not. AFAIK it's not illegal in the US.

If you're listening through a website then it's fine. If you have a radio reciever then it should also be fine. Just don't go broadcasting.

come on jimbo how many more times must you ask this You shouldn't worry so much.  ;)

craig!...

one of my m8s is here so im proovin my point to him!

i no what the answer is, but he doesn't  believe me!

sorrrryyy.

dont worry about it, i just think you or your mate worrys too much about it:)

craig!

well what it was it wer a decussion at skool about the atc, everyone reckons its illegal!, but im tryin 2 proove mi point like, an i thnk i jus about done it ! lol

ta!  by the way do u use livewire airlines

I dont personally.
Like i said to you in a PM, i believe there is a very old law that says it is illegal in certain situations, however it has not been used in many years. Doug or Fozzer usually have a broad knowledge of these things so they may be able to help. But i am certain it isnt illegal to listen to ATC over the net.

Doug or Fozzer usually have a broad knowledge of these things so they may be able to help. But i am certain it isnt illegal to listen to ATC over the net.

I have no specific knowledge of the subject & until recently wasn't aware you could listen to any ATC on the Web. I suppose I should have realised but the thought never occurred to me. To the best of my knowledge, listening to civil ATC is perfectly legal both in the UK & the US. In fact many aircraft spotters use special "Aircraft band" radio receivers tuned to the local ATC so they know what's going on. I can't see what harm this does & I'm sure they would be stopped if there was anything illegal about it.*

Mind you, I wouldn't like to encourage just anyone to do it, especially on a mass basis - the whole of your school for example, unless it was a class project or something like that. There's some funny folk around these days but again, I can't see what possible harm it would do. Aircraft movements aren't exactly a big secret.

*PS. There are stands full of these things for sale at the average air show at airfields all round the country.

Well...given the mood of the US lately, it's easy to understand why someone may be jittery about it.

My stepfather and I were listening to the ATC band (amazing how exciting it was since I understand most of what is being said thanks to my stick-time in FS2004).  We were waiting to see when the Blue Angels would be taking off from KTVC (Cherry Capitol)

jimbo, isn't this your third post on the subject or am I mistaken  ???

jimbo, isn't this your third post on the subject or am I mistaken  ???

You're not mistaken.

You're not mistaken.

Well in that case, common jimbo. Your question was answered twice in the real aviation forums.  ::)

I dunno about the UK, but here in the States you don't need a license for a device that only receives, but you do for a transmitter.  I find it very hard to believe that there would be a law against listening in the UK. It's not like anyone can pinpoint a receiver remotely, so how could such a law possibly be enforced?  As far as an internet stream goes, if the owners of the site are streaming signals received with an unlicensed transmitter/receiver, that's their problem, not yours. If you're still not convinced, search the government database for laws concerning communications, or send them a query by e-mail.  I'm very confident you won't find any restrictions on receiving only.

[quote]craig!

well what it was it wer a decussion at skool about the atc, everyone reckons its illegal!, but im tryin 2 proove mi point like, an i thnk i jus about done it ! lol

ta!