Florida law on scanners

[Lavaluma]

I'm not sure whether this is the correct location to post this question or not, but my father-in-law will be camping there in a few weeks. He listens to his scanner at home constantly and would like to take it with him on his trip. He will be driving from VA to FL. DH was trying to make sure it was programmed for him to listen to, however DH saw somewhere that you cannot legally have a scanner in your vehicle in Florida. Does that include inside a pull behind camper as well?

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm not sure whether this is the correct location to post this question or not, but my father-in-law will be camping there in a few weeks. He listens to his scanner at home constantly and would like to take it with him on his trip. He will be driving from VA to FL. DH was trying to make sure it was programmed for him to listen to, however DH saw somewhere that you cannot legally have a scanner in your vehicle in Florida. Does that include inside a pull behind camper as well?

I'm not aware of the FL law on this, but realistically how would anybody know if there was a scanner inside a pull behind camper?

ETA, here is a link to the actual law. http://www.gars.net/scnlawfl.htm

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Does that include inside a pull behind camper as well?

You are not allowed to ride in a pulled trailer (in any state of which I am aware), so the question is moot.

 

[sirenia88]

I'm not sure whether this is the correct location to post this question or not, but my father-in-law will be camping there in a few weeks. He listens to his scanner at home constantly and would like to take it with him on his trip. He will be driving from VA to FL. DH was trying to make sure it was programmed for him to listen to, however DH saw somewhere that you cannot legally have a scanner in your vehicle in Florida. Does that include inside a pull behind camper as well?

Well some states/ local laws may prohibit this but I would think the Fort might be a boring place to use the scanner. I find using a scanner at home more beneficial as you can find out local traffic issues or other town/local related emergencies. As for the drive, the scanner maybe useless unless he has a way to scan for local PD/FD/ EMS going down. I do not know since my scanner tech is from the 90s and still works even though I program in the frequencies. Finally, at the fort, it might be interesting in some aspects but I betcha it gets real boring when the call goes out for more TP in the comfort station in the 500 loop. However, WDW on the whole might be interesting but it also may depend on which freqs are in use. Then again those freqs might be on a low/limited power and not able to be picked up at the Fort.

Have your FiL read up about this on forums that revolve around this type of hobby. Who knows it there might be more insight there than on here about these issues.

 

[Lavaluma]

Thank you for the help. DH programmed the scanner for the route his Dad plans to take. If he hooks it up to his GPS, it automatically switches frequencies to his location. My father in law is not very savvy with electronics and depends on DH to make things work. When DH started programming the frequencies, he noticed that it was illegal to have a scanner in your vehicle in Florida and he just wasn't sure of the specifics. DH asked on some of the scanner sites and no one seemed positive on the rules when it comes to being inside a camper. I'm sure there would be no reason for anyone to search and find the scanner, but he would prefer not to cause his Dad to break the law. I thought someone on this camping board may regularly use a scanner and know the answer. As of now, my father in law plans to box his scanner in his camper before he enters Florida and leave it there until he leaves Florida. I probably should have phrased my question a little better, is it legal to listen to the scanner in the camper while it is parked for camping or is it still considered a vehicle? DH doesn't know whether to program the scanner with frequencies near Disney World or to avoid Florida all together. Honestly, I'm not sure how much actually comes in at his house with the scanner, but he still likes to listen to it everyday and would enjoy it there as well.

 

[Flametamr]

I see no reason why it would be illegal for him to listen to the scanner while camping in Florida. The law usually deals with the use of one while driving to avoid criminals from tracking cops while committing crimes. I am curious how your husband links the GPS to update the scanner. Can you post more info on this like maybe what brand of scanner and GPS. Thanks

 

[Lavaluma]

I see no reason why it would be illegal for him to listen to the scanner while camping in Florida. The law usually deals with the use of one while driving to avoid criminals from tracking cops while committing crimes. I am curious how your husband links the GPS to update the scanner. Can you post more info on this like maybe what brand of scanner and GPS. Thanks

Thank you.
According to DH:
It's a Uniden BCD396XT scanner and a Uniden BC-GPSK Serial GPS Receiver. Other receivers may work, but I only know about this one. You do have to program the scanner for where you are going in advance and it switches automatically as you go. Some newer Uniden scanners have the GPS built in and base it off of zip code. Scanner forums have a lot more information about programming setup, pros and cons of different scanners.

 

[Flametamr]

Okay Thanks

 

[tiggerdad]

Wait, we could be onto something here. Everybody knows that the bus drivers are the absolute best source of information about Disney World. So if we have a scanner going we could potentially be on the verge of the greatest breakthrough in Disney information since the Dis...

 

[Flametamr]

You might be right Tiggerdad. Imagine a Walt Disney World without secrets.