Are these legal?

[AlphaBravo]

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

[Hagar]

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.

[AlphaBravo]

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

Craig

[Hagar]

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.

[Ace_777]

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

[Hagar]

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.

[Ace_777]

What the hell ?

[Hagar]

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.

[Craig.]

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

[Fozzer]

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.... ...!

[chomp_rock]

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.

[Fozzer]

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.... ...!

[Hagar]

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.

[Craig.]

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.

[legoalex2000]

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?