john%Ucb-Vax@hp-pcd.UUCP (01/30/85)
Having a monitor that receives the local police freqs would certainly make life easier for the professional thief. I suspect that this law was passed mainly to give the police reasonable cause to stop and question suspicious cars that have antennas on them. If they happen to notice some crowbars and assorted loot in the back seat then so much the better. Then even having a permit won't help them. The exclusion of hams makes life a lot easier for both the hams and the local police who don't have to deal with all that paperwork. It will be interesting to see how this law is enforced because if the police can stop anyone with an antenna (But officer! Its only a AM radio antenna) then the concept of no searches without reasonable cause goes out the window. I suppose that this law could be used to harrass innocent people if they managed to irritate the local police, but then so could most other laws. Thats why we have judges and they can throw things out of court.Lets find out first what you need to do to get a permit. Does this law attempt to prevent people from having radios or simply try and keep track of who does? John Eaton !hplabs!hp-pcd!john
hpk@vax135.UUCP (Howard Katseff) (02/05/85)
I went to the local police station and asked for a permit for a mobile scanner. The lieutenant I spoke to said that their policy was to NOT issue a permit unless I was affiliated with the local first aid squad or fire company. I guess that its easier to get a hand gun permit than one for a mobile scanner! Howard Katseff vax135!hpk AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
mikey@trsvax.UUCP (02/07/85)
Send a certified letter asking for the permit. Then they have to deny in writing. This will usually get almost any permit you need. Remember, your dealing with little mentalities trying to be big and important. Be friendly but firm, and ask for everything negative in writing. mikey at trsvax KA5MJQ