wm@tekchips.UUCP (Wm Leler) (08/16/85)
I've seen several people make the claim that the federal government cannot restrict reception of radio signals. This is certainly not true. The radio spectrum is an international resource, and we are party to several treaties with nations that do not have the same outlook on the issues of freedom as we do. In particular, if you listen to a radio transmission that is not from a broadcast station, you are specifically prohibited by law from repeating anything you hear to anyone else. This question, of course, has almost nothing to do with net.auto, and I have no desire to start any discussion here, but I have seen too many people make the argument that since you are free to pick up any radio signal and do with it what you will, that radar detectors cannot be illegal. Reception of satellite TV is legal because the signals are meant for broadcast. Listening to private satellite transmissions (for example, phone calls) is not necessarily legal, and in many cases is illegal. Now, police radar may or may not be an invasion of privacy, but that is a whole 'nother matter. It certainly isn't any more of an invasion of privacy than being (electronically or otherwise) searched everytime I take a flight on a commercial airline. Again, let's not start that discussion here (but if you want to discuss it in another group, I'm game!) Wm Leler
moroney@jon.DEC (Mike Moroney) (08/21/85)
>I've seen several people make the claim that the federal government >cannot restrict reception of radio signals. This is certainly >not true. It most certainly is true. Anyone may listen in on any radio transmission he can receive. If the transmitter doesn't wish others listening in on their conversations, it is their responsibility to encrypt the data in some way or other. Please check the Communications Act of 1934 for more details. > In particular, >if you listen to a radio transmission that is not from a broadcast >station, you are specifically prohibited by law from repeating >anything you hear to anyone else. This is correct. The way the law reads it is perfectly O.K. to listen in on radio conversations, but is illegal to repeat what you have heard to anyone else not present. The only exceptions are broadcast signals and amateur radio. Therefore, technically, it is o.k. to have a radar detector in your car, but if it goes off, it is illegal for you to get on the C.B. and warn other drivers of "Smokey taking pictures". I believe you have reception of radio confused with dissemination of received information. >Reception of satellite TV is legal because the signals are meant >for broadcast. Listening to private satellite transmissions (for >example, phone calls) is not necessarily legal, and in many cases >is illegal. Reception of satellite T.V. is not legal because of it being intended for broadcast, it is legal ANYWAY. Besides, most satellite T.V. programming is not intended for broadcast, most is destined for cable T.V. They aren't the same. Listening in on private satellite information, including phone calls, is perfectly legal. The NSA does it all the time for all overseas phone calls. >Wm Leler -Mike Moroney ..decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-jon!moroney