Quote:
Originally Posted by John Kennett
Given that you can legally buy a scanner, and legally listen to marine band VHF frequencies, why couldn't he listen in? I thought that a licence was only required to transmit. Am I wrong?
John
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John
Scanners were for a long time a very grey area.
The RA (now Ofcom) have changed it all.
The only thing you can listen to legally on a scanner are ham bands, broadcast radio and anything else "you" are licenced to.
If you have a ships radio licence in theory IMHO you can listen to the marine radio.
Scanners can be wide band RX but this does not make it legal to listen.
If you are in have a non licened transmiter you are comiting one offence, if you use it that is another offence!.
The RA (now Ofcom) produce a very good hand out regarding scanners.
As far as the marine licence goes, I have check with a very good mate at Ofcom, if you have your Ships Radio Licence but no operators cert, you can indeed listen but not TX.
Just in case you were wondering, if you carry a non licenced marine VHF you are liable for a £5000 fine and confiscation of the radio and its power supply, in the case of a fixed radio this is you boat!
Oh yes and the guy's from Ofcom will be at Ribex!
Hope that help.
Kind regards