Portable scanner on the airplane

[moto400ex]

Anyone know if its illegal to listen to the scanner on the airplane?  I have been so tempted to several times but havent had the guts to do it not knowing if its illegal or not.  I have however listened to it at the airport and no one said anything.  (obviously with ear phones)  I know some airlines have the ATC on the audio system in the plane but I mainly fly northwest and they dont.

[kkjlai]

Most airlines prohibit the use of radios scanners on their airplanes.  Although I see "no reasons" on why not.  The chance of interfering with the radios nav on the airplane is very small..  However, rules are rules and let me know which airlines allow it.

'Legally' you can ask the flight crew (the pilots) for permission..  If not, I guess you can hide it, and if the crew discover it and ask you to turn it off, just comply.

However, even if you do, you won't hear much except the pilot's transmission since the fuselage shields a lot of the ground transmission.

These are my personal opinion.  Don't flame me.

[Lezam]

You can just stick it in your backpack and listen via headphones if you would like. Its not going to interfere with the airplanes systems because you aren't transmitting. Depending on the flight attendant, they might be very enthusiastic, or they might just ask you to put it away.

[KB6HLM]

I take mine on every flight !

However mine will transmit but I have that feature turned off of course, the only thing you have to look out for is the flight attendants because if they catch you the fun is all over for the rest of flight 

The trick I use is to have the ear piece towards the window and the radio tucked along my side keeping a close eye on those darn FAs  LOL

I remember one time I got caught I must have looked so sad that the flight attendant came back to my seat and asked me if I would like to come up to the cockpit and meet the captain............. man I felt like a kid in a candy store 

Anyway the moral of this story is that its not hard to get away with using a scanner on a plane its about the same as using a video cam on take off and landings  (BTW I do that to) ssssssssss    please don't tell anyone !!  lol


73s
Glenn KB6HLM Las Vegas, NV

[moto400ex]

Alright thanks.  Ill try to do it discretly.  I cant see why some people think a scanner could intefere with nav and commnications.  I can see why they have you turn your cellphone off as when I used to fly on solo X/C flights I used to try to call while flying and I would get this really loud ticking noise in my headset.Thats another question I had if anyone had tryed the scanner on the plane and what the listening quality was. 

[tyketto]

Alright thanks.  Ill try to do it discretly.  I cant see why some people think a scanner could intefere with nav and commnications.  I can see why they have you turn your cellphone off as when I used to fly on solo X/C flights I used to try to call while flying and I would get this really loud ticking noise in my headset.Thats another question I had if anyone had tryed the scanner on the plane and what the listening quality was. 

We know that it doesn't, but tell that to the masses who think that anything that has an antenna that isn't a radio. I take mine with me as well, and am very discrete with it, but every time I've had it, especially the last time, I was actually brought to the Airport Police Dept. because people thought I was a terrorist.

Have to love the paranoia^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hvigilance in this country... 

BL.

[Amante de Aviones]

Yea same here, I listen to mine on almost every flight. 

One question though, every time I fly out of Vancouver they always ask to search my bag for the scanner and see if there are batteries in it.  I never have this problem at any other airport.  What could it be?

[MathFox]

One question though, every time I fly out of Vancouver they always ask to search my bag for the scanner and see if there are batteries in it.  I never have this problem at any other airport.  What could it be?

A modified receiver can be used as a trigger for some nasty "improvised device" (with the person activating the device at a safe distance). That's why they should have a clear view of electronic equipment at the airport x-ray. (Not all checkpoints give the same attention to all details.) Batteries could be used as power source for nefarious activities.

From a strict security standpoint: paperclips in the wrong hands can be used to puncture or scratch eyeballs.

[The Hoffspatcher]

The trick is to fly United, with our ATC via IFE setup

Seriously tho, its not hard to get away with BUT by using it you are violating federal law.  I'm not big on half these laws but that fact aside, its up ty you.

Not sure how much you'll hear tho, I couldn't pick up jack shirt.

[KB6HLM]

The trick is to fly United, with our ATC via IFE setup

Seriously tho, its not hard to get away with BUT by using it you are violating federal law.  I'm not big on half these laws but that fact aside, its up ty you.

Not sure how much you'll hear tho, I couldn't pick up jack shirt.

WOW...............well I guess I should be in prison then !!  anyway ya it would depend on the type of aircraft and FL they are at

I have found that the closer you can get to the window the better the antenna works

73s
Glenn KB6HLM Las Vegas, NV

Sorry guys if my FEED goes down I wont be able to fix it from PRISON !!  LOL