is it legal to have a vhf in car

[Minus1]

Visit any airshow in the UK and you will quickly see what an ass the law is.

[LeakyFeeder]

Visit any airshow in the UK and you will quickly see what an ass the law is.

+1... we had a 'fly in' last year and quite a few spotters had transceivers....not content with a good scanner many are now buying fully loaded radios n walking round with headfones...

[Transwarp]

Just collect the tokens and send off to Kellogs for the licence, its the best way

Oi!

[MrWeetabix]

Just collect the tokens and send off to Kellogs for the licence, its the best way

Oi!

Oi...... Savaloy?

[paulears]

OFCOM made it clear that despite listening to many services technically being illegal, they do not normally take action.

I suspect the Police do have the option to ask for a license, because it would be evidence no illegal activity is taking place. They have no 'right' to ask for it, but the alternative would simply be arresting you on suspicion of the offence - which is what they do for loads of potential crimes nowadays. Arrest you, investigate, then release or charge. If they suspect you've done something, there's little point being awkward - I've watched the TV programmes!

Few officers, for example, know that using a mic while driving is fine - hopefully, I could be respectful enough to not get nicked while they check - but the Police are not experts on the law - never have been. Nowadays, if they are suspicious, it's just easier to take you to the station isn't it?


I think I might print out a copy of all my licenses and keep them in the van.

[Admiral]

Even actually using a radio without a licence wasn't an arrestable offence the last time I looked, and the fuzz would need a search warrant to have a moochy around your vehicle unless you gave permission. Give your correct details if asked (they probably have them anyway as they've already ran your vehicle registration through the PNC) and all they can do is report you for allegedly breaching an Act of Parliament, if you weren't actually transmitting then they would need to lie to get a conviction.

[paulears]

I'd let them do their job. When I watch those TV shows it's the people who bang on about their rights and their knowledge of the law that look stupid. If I'm in the right, there's no point trying to convince people who think the opposite. Let them do what they need to, and then get the sorry sir afterwards. Makes you look so much better than the alternative. Be nice. Be polite. Understand. It's always worked for me. Every time in my life I have stood my ground, dug my heels in because I know I'm right, it's always gone badly. Now I don't consider this a sensible way to live a stress free life!
I support the Police, and if they get things wrong from time to time, I can live with that.

[VintageTin]

Arrest first, release later is a crappy way of investigation as, even if released without charge, an arrest technically disqualifies you from the US visa waver programme. I suspect most will get away with it, but if caught out lying, getting back to the USA will be difficult.

Arrest first release later seems to be used frequently with low level offences and high profile paedo suspects.

[MrWeetabix]

Surely it can't be allowed to be shown on a background check if you are released without charge?

Anyone in-the-know with plod that could confirm this?

[Farty]

OFCOM made it clear that despite listening to many services technically being illegal, they do not normally take action.

I suspect the Police do have the option to ask for a license, because it would be evidence no illegal activity is taking place. They have no 'right' to ask for it, but the alternative would simply be arresting you on suspicion of the offence - which is what they do for loads of potential crimes nowadays. Arrest you, investigate, then release or charge. If they suspect you've done something, there's little point being awkward - I've watched the TV programmes!

Few officers, for example, know that using a mic while driving is fine - hopefully, I could be respectful enough to not get nicked while they check - but the Police are not experts on the law - never have been. Nowadays, if they are suspicious, it's just easier to take you to the station isn't it?


I think I might print out a copy of all my licenses and keep them in the van.

I work in an office full of armed coppers, and one day they were bored of playing with their wax crayons I asked the Inspector this very question. The Feds have no power specific powers to request you to produce your licence, and you commit no offence if you fail to comply. This completely different to car drivers, where the power of a constable to request licence and the penalties for not doing so are neatly provided by the Road Traffic Act, or the Firearms Act which also gives coppers specific powers to request to see licences. Conversely, the regs do make such requirements for us to comply with OFCUMS agents.

[Transwarp]

Just collect the tokens and send off to Kellogs for the licence, its the best way

Oi!

Oi...... Savaloy?

I've got a juicy big one here for you!

[paulears]

Don't get me started on the US visa system. Since Top Gear did the stunt with the cow and the rednecks, there are strict rules on UK cameramen (which I still do a little of) working in the US - and now it's strictly news and current affairs that's OK. Entertainment is treated very different now. As a consequence, a UK cameraman doing a bit of election coverage cannot shoot 'fun' stuff out there legally. If they do, then they get their news class work visa revoked. One of the questions on the visa waiver programme is - have you ever had a visa revoked or not issued, and of course the answer is yes - instantly preventing your holiday for I have no idea of how many years.

[Admiral]

I get your point about the clever twits who post on youtube paul, nearly all of them are baiters and deliberately instigate the situation so as to cause a conflict, I find these people rather sad and have a jaundiced outlook on life, but if I am going about my lawful business and the rozzers start a situation then I will stand my ground as to the law which doesn't happen that often as they genuinely do have better things to do and normally get on and do it. It's the copper wannabes that get my hackles up, PCSOs, (insert word) wardens, etc, the only powers they have are that of BS, some buy into their BS, some don't.

[StormShadow]

I've been stopped a few times in my area for using various handhelds in my little spot on the hill top but luckily they have not given me any trouble yet, in fact the ones that stopped me last time were interested how I knew so much about tetra air wave as they asked me if I was listening to the police, it was then I started explaining Ham radio to them, then they drove off shortly afterwards

[Admiral]

Well in about 100 years or so of having the radio bug I have never, ever been questioned about having a radio about me by anyone ever, been through customs with radios, been static mobile for years and years, generally always have an earpiece in when I'm in public places, nothing. Guess I have an honest face?