ATC Radio Scanners and all that
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Toulouse
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your definitive answer is here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archi...fo/ra169r7.pdf
However, friends at Ofcom inform me that there is no actual 'enforcement' of this. They do not have the manpower to go around and stop you. Therefore the regulation will be applied on a complaints basis.
So provided that 'no one knows what you listened to because you told no one what you overheard' then you are probably in the clear..........
Rest assured that one day it will go digital, but that will take years to get international concensus on the technology to use.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archi...fo/ra169r7.pdf
However, friends at Ofcom inform me that there is no actual 'enforcement' of this. They do not have the manpower to go around and stop you. Therefore the regulation will be applied on a complaints basis.
So provided that 'no one knows what you listened to because you told no one what you overheard' then you are probably in the clear..........
Rest assured that one day it will go digital, but that will take years to get international concensus on the technology to use.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<If listening to aviation scanners is illegal, it's one of the most relaxed laws i've ever heard of!>>
Just think of the millions of speeding motorists and look at the litter alongside our roads - all caused by law-breakers. I agree it's relaxed, but that's the state of the country we live in...
Just think of the millions of speeding motorists and look at the litter alongside our roads - all caused by law-breakers. I agree it's relaxed, but that's the state of the country we live in...
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 51
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Law on scanners
Hi all
I know that scanners are not wise in France / Italy etc etc, but have you ever thought about the UK....
part of a post elsewhere on pprune....
"IF your info came from a scannner, be careful in 'publishing' the information. There has been an extensive thread on another forum about the legality of scanners. If firmly pressed legally, Pprune could not guarantee anonymity for those who do."
Does anyone know if it is the use of scanners or the publishing of info that is in question, as i cant find the thread in question.
I know that scanners are not wise in France / Italy etc etc, but have you ever thought about the UK....
part of a post elsewhere on pprune....
"IF your info came from a scannner, be careful in 'publishing' the information. There has been an extensive thread on another forum about the legality of scanners. If firmly pressed legally, Pprune could not guarantee anonymity for those who do."
Does anyone know if it is the use of scanners or the publishing of info that is in question, as i cant find the thread in question.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: uk
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
from the ofcom website
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/codes_guidel...ofw156?a=87101
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/codes_guidel...ofw156?a=87101
Question: Isn't it all right to listen as long as I don't pass on what I hear?
Answer: No, using radio equipment to listen in, except as provided by section 5(1)(b) of the WT Act, is an offence, regardless of whether the information is passed on.
Answer: No, using radio equipment to listen in, except as provided by section 5(1)(b) of the WT Act, is an offence, regardless of whether the information is passed on.
Forewarned is Forearmed
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: uk
Age: 60
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting read from the Ofcom link. The old saying was ;If you heard something, you Never,
1. Pass it on. 2. Write it down. 3 Act on it .
Guess a load of Reggies better watch it then
1. Pass it on. 2. Write it down. 3 Act on it .
Guess a load of Reggies better watch it then
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: North West UK
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
not sure of the relevance, but there was a scheme mooted several years ago, which was to allow subscribers to follow real time radar traces on their pc, via the internet. I seem to remember that it was aimed at commercial companies interested in tracking flights, and enthusiasts.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: IOM
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Considering the fact that if you somehow manage to find ANY site broadcasting london or any other UK ATC freq. for that reason, wil automatically be illegal due to the fact it is being broadcast to your net server then to you.
I shudn't get caught up in this but I will!
That is a gd point, if listening to freq's on an airband scanner is illegal why do they sell them. I have been to Ronaldsway- Isle of Man airport many times (my home airport) with my AB Scanner, and pilots, ATCO's, security officers, police and who knows have walked past me. If it is illegal they certainly dont make it clear enough, and if the scanner is a receiver only, it should be legal as if you are just an enthusiast listening, it is just as simple to hear ATC as popping to ur local flying school and taking an intro lesson so you can listen to ATC.
Crazy.
Illegal or legal, it wont stop people buying AB scanners and going ona day trip to manchester aiport to listen to CC_TWR etc..
RR
I shudn't get caught up in this but I will!
That is a gd point, if listening to freq's on an airband scanner is illegal why do they sell them. I have been to Ronaldsway- Isle of Man airport many times (my home airport) with my AB Scanner, and pilots, ATCO's, security officers, police and who knows have walked past me. If it is illegal they certainly dont make it clear enough, and if the scanner is a receiver only, it should be legal as if you are just an enthusiast listening, it is just as simple to hear ATC as popping to ur local flying school and taking an intro lesson so you can listen to ATC.
Crazy.
Illegal or legal, it wont stop people buying AB scanners and going ona day trip to manchester aiport to listen to CC_TWR etc..
RR
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RR.. Yes, it is crazy.. but no more crazy than being able to by cars which will do 120mph... and plenty of policemen walk past showrooms where they're on sale.
I wonder why people find it so difficult to understand the law - Thou shalt not do it. Full stop!
I wonder why people find it so difficult to understand the law - Thou shalt not do it. Full stop!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK
Age: 48
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder why people find it so difficult to understand the law - Thou shalt not do it. Full stop!
Fortunately the police that ignore spotters engaging in their hobby have common sense.
Last edited by eal401; 16th Dec 2004 at 15:52.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check out the following site
www.futurastudios.com/atc.html
for realtime ATC comms and radar displays and webcams at selected airports around the globe.
Beware though don't let heathrow director catch you!!!
As for listening in, on a list of crimes it probably ranks alongside driving whilst eating or drinking or watching TV without a licence. Really serious....
www.futurastudios.com/atc.html
for realtime ATC comms and radar displays and webcams at selected airports around the globe.
Beware though don't let heathrow director catch you!!!
As for listening in, on a list of crimes it probably ranks alongside driving whilst eating or drinking or watching TV without a licence. Really serious....
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 18,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh dear! This one seems to go on and on and folks just cannot understand what HD and others are saying.
The question "is it illegal to listen too ATC in the UK on a scanner" has been asked. The answer is YES. References have been given (look back in this thread).
ionagh has summed it up neatly on the previous page.
"Your definitive answer is here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/arch...nfo/ra169r7.pdf
However, friends at Ofcom inform me that there is no actual 'enforcement' of this. They do not have the manpower to go around and stop you. Therefore the regulation will be applied on a complaints basis.
So provided that 'no one knows what you listened to because you told no one what you overheard' then you are probably in the clear.........."
_________________________________________________
as for 'anartificialhorizon' - to you I would say "follow the guidelines given in this thread". It is not HD you need to worry about - it is the plod if you transgress.
...........and as for watching TV while driving..................
The question "is it illegal to listen too ATC in the UK on a scanner" has been asked. The answer is YES. References have been given (look back in this thread).
ionagh has summed it up neatly on the previous page.
"Your definitive answer is here:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/arch...nfo/ra169r7.pdf
However, friends at Ofcom inform me that there is no actual 'enforcement' of this. They do not have the manpower to go around and stop you. Therefore the regulation will be applied on a complaints basis.
So provided that 'no one knows what you listened to because you told no one what you overheard' then you are probably in the clear.........."
_________________________________________________
as for 'anartificialhorizon' - to you I would say "follow the guidelines given in this thread". It is not HD you need to worry about - it is the plod if you transgress.
...........and as for watching TV while driving..................
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1997
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check out the following site www.futurastudios.com/atc.html for realtime ATC comms and radar displays and webcams at selected airports around the globe. Beware though don't let heathrow director catch you!!!
The subtlety is probably lost on you but I expect HD would have absolutely no problems with you listening to the ATC sites which are featured around the globe on that website. Now I wonder why that could be ??
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: France
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As alicensed radio amateur, I think that if one hears a communication, they must not act on it. Taking that to stupid reasoning, if you hear on the police band that there is a speed trap, you are not to slow down 'cos you heard it on the radio!!
You must not tell others of the communication either. Dont know where that leaves a mayday!!
For info, I was operating with the Air Training corp on their frequency which is around 430. Mhz, also a downlink for a stellite radio amateur. As priority user I was LEGALLY obliged to tell the American Satellite to close down. ( I did not, I am not that stupid)
Enjoy and do not interfere with the communications.
Anyway in the next few years you will not be able to hear anything as they will all be digitallised to to spectrum shortage.
You must not tell others of the communication either. Dont know where that leaves a mayday!!
For info, I was operating with the Air Training corp on their frequency which is around 430. Mhz, also a downlink for a stellite radio amateur. As priority user I was LEGALLY obliged to tell the American Satellite to close down. ( I did not, I am not that stupid)
Enjoy and do not interfere with the communications.
Anyway in the next few years you will not be able to hear anything as they will all be digitallised to to spectrum shortage.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Horsham, England, UK. ---o--O--o---
Posts: 1,185
Received 4 Likes
on
2 Posts
Whilst respecting the official legalities; It has come to my notice that it is possible to listen to both LHR and LGW on the internet using web based PC controlled scanners on this Website -
Here
It does cost you a small fee - approx $5 per month I think, but works quite well if you don't own your own scanner, although sometimes you have to wait in line to control the frequency to be set.
Here
It does cost you a small fee - approx $5 per month I think, but works quite well if you don't own your own scanner, although sometimes you have to wait in line to control the frequency to be set.
Location, Location, Location
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: If it moves, watch it like a hawk: If it doesn't, hit it with a hammer until it does...
Age: 60
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now that link is VERY interesting.
I received an email from the owners of that site a few months ago asking if I would be prepared to host a site for Gatwick and Heathrow ATC RT.
I entered into a long exchange of emails with the owner of the site and pointed out that what he was asking was illegal in the UK and would leave me, as the host, exposed to legal action.
After this exchange, during which I referred him to the OFCOM website and various other sources stating the UK legal position, he agreed that it was, in balance of probability, not a good idea to continue asking me to illegally monitor and re-broadcast restricted communications.
Obviously he has changed his mind and has managed to find a host who doesn't care about the legality or otherwise of their actions.
I wonder if OFCOM will turn a blind-eye to this kind of activity, somehow I doubt it but I'm guessing that no action will occur unless they happen across this site.
Sadly the person to bear the brunt of legal action will be the local host in the UK; not the instigator who is resident in Scandanavia.
I received an email from the owners of that site a few months ago asking if I would be prepared to host a site for Gatwick and Heathrow ATC RT.
I entered into a long exchange of emails with the owner of the site and pointed out that what he was asking was illegal in the UK and would leave me, as the host, exposed to legal action.
After this exchange, during which I referred him to the OFCOM website and various other sources stating the UK legal position, he agreed that it was, in balance of probability, not a good idea to continue asking me to illegally monitor and re-broadcast restricted communications.
Obviously he has changed his mind and has managed to find a host who doesn't care about the legality or otherwise of their actions.
I wonder if OFCOM will turn a blind-eye to this kind of activity, somehow I doubt it but I'm guessing that no action will occur unless they happen across this site.
Sadly the person to bear the brunt of legal action will be the local host in the UK; not the instigator who is resident in Scandanavia.
