1. Isn't Scanning Illegal?

I get this one all the time, and I'm sure that many other scannists get the same question. It's sad that we live in probably the freest nation in the world, yet everyone assumes that they have no right to monitor what is, in effect, public property. The radio spectrum as we know it is publicly owned, and adminstrated by our government (within our borders) by the Federal Communication Commission. They allocate various parts of the spectrum to various users, and levy few restrictions on monitoring. Currently, there are two basic rules that restrict our monitoring -- You may not intentionally monitor cellular communications, and you may not discuss with anyone else what you have overheard on the other parts of the spectrum that are legally monitorable. This is to prevent anyone from profiting unfairly (and thus causing the government to levy restrictions on scanning), or engaging in corporate espionage. A logical extension of this is that you may not use a scanner in the commission of a crime. Also, some areas may have laws restricting mobile scanning (a scanner in a vehicle, or possibly outside your home) -- please stay abreast of the laws of your state, county, and city.

Aside from this, the spectrum is open season for montoring. No one owns a particular frequency -- all frequencies are on loan by the FCC, and can be revoked due to violation of rules or be lost if not renewed. This is why you can legally look up the current resident of any frequency (except military and federal agencies) via the FCC database. In the case of public safety agencies (Police, Fire, Rescue Ambulance), it is perfectly legitimate to montitor them, provided you do nothing to compromise their safety (by showing up at the scene, discussing what they are doing with a third party, or committing a crime). This makes sense, as these individuals are paid with YOUR tax dollars, and the radio equipment they use to communicate on the public airwaves was also purchased with your money. Also, given the recent scandals involving police departments in major cities, doesn't it make sense that we should be able to keep a watchful eye on those who are charged with protecting us? One caveat is that military and federal agencies do not fall under this category -- their job and the requirements surrounding it have been deemed too important to allow full public access, so citizens are not entitled to know the "owner" of a particular miltary or federal frequency, or be able to monitor them.

2. Scanners can eavesdrop on cellular phones

This one is a half-myth. Previous to 1994, scanners were sold on the market that could recieve in the frequecy ranges that analog cellular phones transmitted and recieved on. This was remedied with a law passed in 1994 that forced scanner manufacturers to block those frequencies in any scanner sold in the U.S. to a private citizen (law enforcement agencies can still buy unblocked scanners). It is still legal to buy an unblocked scanner from a private seller, but public sellers in the U.S. may no longer sell them. It is difficult (and expensive) to get an unblocked scanner now -- you either have to import one (interestingly enough, other nations such as Canada and Japan are not as ultra-protective of their cellular industries) which may be in violation of import/export laws (it's pretty hazy), or find a private owner. Either way, it's not really worth it -- monitoring the legal parts of the spectrum is far more interesting. Any scanner you find in a store will not be cellular capable.

3. Scanning is perverse and peeping-Tom -ish

There's nothing wrong with keeping abreast of what is going on around you. Televsion networks make large amounts of ad revenue running news programs that are constantly "on the scene, bringing you the latest news!" With a scanner, you cut out the middleman, and get it straight from the horses mouth. Instead of hearing some talking head giving you a rehash of what happened, or the latest sanitized version, you get to hear the actual participants in action. There are plenty of cases of aware, astute scannists helping law enforcement apprehend suspects by listening in, keeping alert, and making a key phone call (e.g. Neighborhood Watch). By scanning you are doing your part as a citizen to stay involved, alert, and also -- you may find out that public safety interests you as a possible career!

4. Scanners cause interference with other electronics or radios

A scanner is an electronic device, and like any electronic device, it will eminate weak incidental frequencies. However, compared to a TV, stereo, or car, these frequencies are very miniscule, and should not affect anything any more than anything else. If anything, those devices probably interfere with your scanner! Also, scanners are recieve-only, not trasmitters, so they won't interfere with any radio communications. Don't let anyone ever try to blame their technical problems on your scanner.