Listening in to UK Police ASU radio
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Listening in to UK Police ASU radio
OK, so I'm bored, and the Police heli is hanging around watching the local scrotes...
What's the score with listening in to their radio (I already have an air-radio)? Are they encrypted? Is it legal? Does having a FRTOL make any difference?
Cheers!
What's the score with listening in to their radio (I already have an air-radio)? Are they encrypted? Is it legal? Does having a FRTOL make any difference?
Cheers!
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Errrrrrrrrr dunno, but if you hadn't told the gazillion people that read this forum, nobody would have known!!!!!!!!! 
I guess if you're not using the info you hear to pass on intel to the local scrotes or villains and you don't use the info for any illegal purposes yourself, then there is no harm done.
I suspect however the reality is that it's a big no-no
If it were me, I would cease and desist immediateley, surrender myself and the equipment to the local authorities and take my punishment !
NOT!!!
Have fun and enjoy.
Joel
I guess if you're not using the info you hear to pass on intel to the local scrotes or villains and you don't use the info for any illegal purposes yourself, then there is no harm done.
I suspect however the reality is that it's a big no-no
If it were me, I would cease and desist immediateley, surrender myself and the equipment to the local authorities and take my punishment !
NOT!!!
Have fun and enjoy.
Joel
Chop Chop
1. It's a no no.
2. Yes.
3. No.
4. None whatsoever.
.......But, if you're that keen to know what's going on ~ join up and they'll give you a radio to play with!
1. It's a no no.
2. Yes.
3. No.
4. None whatsoever.
.......But, if you're that keen to know what's going on ~ join up and they'll give you a radio to play with!
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Cheers people - encrypted radio puts paid to that then...
As a low time PPL(H), I can't see a viable route to getting a play with their toys:
As a low time PPL(H), I can't see a viable route to getting a play with their toys:
- spend £loads to get the correct licences / hours
- spend ages doing it
- lose my current earnings whilst doing it
- take a gamble that a role will come up, and if it does, take a pay cut
Thread Starter
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Googled it now - looks like it's a criminal offence under section 48 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. This page refers: Guidance on Receive-Only Radio Scanners | Ofcom
So it sounds like the plane spotters with their radios are committing an offence, whereas I guess that those of us with a FRTOL would be ok!
So it sounds like the plane spotters with their radios are committing an offence, whereas I guess that those of us with a FRTOL would be ok!
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
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Of course the sticky at the top (nearly) of the ATC thread has already covered this!
http://www.pprune.org/forums/atc-iss...tions-law.html
http://www.pprune.org/forums/atc-iss...tions-law.html
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Plod helos talk on air traffic like any other aircraft.
The operational comms are on UK Airwave which is a secure encrypted system.
Unless you have the resources of a Government you are not going to be able to listen in. If you have the resources of a Government, remember that life imprisonment remains the penalty for most ex-capital offences (like espionage).
Sven
The operational comms are on UK Airwave which is a secure encrypted system.
Unless you have the resources of a Government you are not going to be able to listen in. If you have the resources of a Government, remember that life imprisonment remains the penalty for most ex-capital offences (like espionage).
Sven
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So, one question still remains:
- does my FRTOL allow me to listen in to any ATC / pilot's conversation, or just when I'm flying? From the WT Act, I'd say I'm licenced to do so.
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TETRA is ****.
Sorry you broke, say again.
It's good that nobody listens in anymore, but it certainly isn't the god send that it was hailed to be.
Skyshout's ok if the string goes really loose!
Sorry you broke, say again.
It's good that nobody listens in anymore, but it certainly isn't the god send that it was hailed to be.
Skyshout's ok if the string goes really loose!
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You naturally can't help overhearing when you are flight crew, but when you are not flight crew and therefore not really entitled to use the privileges of your radio licence, you should not be listening in. As a reminder, the definition of flight crew in the ANO says that you are flight crew when you undertake to fly in an aircraft as pilot or navigator ...
That's paraphrased, but the word undertake is there, and when you are in the pub listening in, you are not undertaking to be flight crew and therefore arguably not entitled to listen (on the other hand you are not required to produce your licence either to anyone who challenges you......)
Phil
That's paraphrased, but the word undertake is there, and when you are in the pub listening in, you are not undertaking to be flight crew and therefore arguably not entitled to listen (on the other hand you are not required to produce your licence either to anyone who challenges you......)
Phil
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We might talk on ATC radio channels, but only to say where we are/are going. If you can see us then you know that already. Tetra works using mobile phone type technology and comes in varying forms of security. To be honest, I listen to transmissions all bloody day and would recommend that you paint a wall and watch it dry. It will be much more interesting......
??
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You naturally can't help overhearing when you are flight crew, but when you are not flight crew and therefore not really entitled to use the privileges of your radio licence, you should not be listening in. As a reminder, the definition of flight crew in the ANO says that you are flight crew when you undertake to fly in an aircraft as pilot or navigator ...
Despite what the WTA says, I can't recall a legal precedent with regard to a successful prosecution of someone listening to ATC or aircraft; I've been in this game for well over thirty years.
I think that it would take an authorised person to challenge someone to see an RT licence. Again, what is the legal definition of an authorised person? Policeman, CAA ops inspector, ATCO, Vicar or tea lady? Perhaps a case of "You show me yours first".
I might argue in court that as a pilot, sometimes listening to aviation transmissions when not flying is continuation training.
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The police often received useful information from people listening illegally.
Don't know if it's still the case, but people in the US were almost encouraged to do so for that very reason.
Don't know if it's still the case, but people in the US were almost encouraged to do so for that very reason.