NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay, I'm asking for information or advice regarding a possible X-mas present: a scanner that allows one to hear the radio communications between Park Rangers at Yellowstone National Park.

Does anyone know anything about (1) police scanners/short-wave radios, (2) the legality of police scanners, (3) what types of radios are used by the National Park Service, and/or (4) what would be a good scanner/radio to buy?

The backstory here is that my parents are frequent visitors to U.S. National Parks, especially Yellowstone. They have encountered other people that have some kind of a police scanner that lets them know when Park Rangers have identified an animal (esp. wolves and bears) that are near a road or viewing area and/or are attracting visitors. This can be very useful as one can then go see that animal.

I'd like to get my parents one of these scanner/radios for X-mas, but don't know a damn thing about them. In addition to doing my own research, I thought I'd see if anyone on NSG has any helpful information.

THANKS!!!

Maybe this link I googled would help?
http://www.nationalradiodata.com/join-information.jsp

Well i do have one of these, it was about $100, it picks up my local fire, police, ambulance activity as long with anything else you program in. there should be some info online about the rangers radio frequencies

they are perfectly legal as far as i know

i actually used this on a train trip to Florida to hear the conductors and engineer talking to each other and other trains

i have that somewhat looks like this one
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3070525&y=6&x=17&retainProdsInSession=1

if you have any other questions let me know

Try this, TCT. (http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html)
Might be a bit out of date, but that's the most recent site I could find.

The legality of police scanners tends to vary state to state. In some states its legal to have one but only if you don't use it, usually more to the point, to use it to pick up Police communations. In other states however its completely illegal to have one, its all depends on what state your in. I would suggest looking up state statues as they apply to scanners before getting one.

I think as long as you don't use them to communicate on police channels its usually legal.

I think as long as you don't use them to communicate on police channels its usually legal.

A scanner is only a receiver. You'd need a transceiver in order to talk on police frequencies.

Okay, I'm asking for information or advice regarding a possible X-mas present: a scanner that allows one to hear the radio communications between Park Rangers at Yellowstone National Park.

Does anyone know anything about (1) police scanners/short-wave radios, (2) the legality of police scanners, (3) what types of radios are used by the National Park Service, and/or (4) what would be a good scanner/radio to buy?

The backstory here is that my parents are frequent visitors to U.S. National Parks, especially Yellowstone. They have encountered other people that have some kind of a police scanner that lets them know when Park Rangers have identified an animal (esp. wolves and bears) that are near a road or viewing area and/or are attracting visitors. This can be very useful as one can then go see that animal.

I'd like to get my parents one of these scanner/radios for X-mas, but don't know a damn thing about them. In addition to doing my own research, I thought I'd see if anyone on NSG has any helpful information.

THANKS!!!

They're legal.

Until police get frequency hopping radios (the kind the military uses), you'll be able to listen in on everything.

I also see no harm in the particular use you describe, unless you get eaten by a bear.

I thought this was going to be about telepaths who could make people's head explode.

I thought this was going to be about telepaths who could make people's head explode.

No, we can't have that discussion, because someone would post pics and get banned.

"Ha-ha-hey Booboo! I'm picking up frequencies that indicate an approaching pic-a-nic basket!"

It just doesn't have the same ring.