Re: Amtrak bedrooms

Merritt Mullen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>"Adam H. Kerman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>James Robinson  <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>>"Adam H. Kerman" wrote:
>>>>James Robinson wrote:

>>>>>You will note that scanners are legal in all states with a permit issued
>>>>>by the state or county, or if you have an amateur radio license, though
>>>>>New York's law is somewhat vague on the latter point.

>>>>You need a license to receive? That's just not right.

>>>Sort of.  The state laws are intended to prevent the use of a scanner
>>>when committing a crime, or to interfere with a police officer. If they
>>>had it their way, they would prohibit scanner use altogether, except for
>>>people they specifically allow. The problem is that the states can't
>>>overrule federal laws, and if a person has an amateur radio license,
>>>they come under federal law, which allows people to freely use radios. 
>>>Hence the exception.

>>I believe that listening to the radio is protected under federal law, too.

>No.  For example, you can't listen to private telephone conversations that 
>are transmitted by radio.

That applied to cell phones, not to cordless phones as I recall. I'm still
hoping the courts will throw it out, as the electromagnetic spectrum should
belong to everyone.

Please so inform the NSC that they may not listen to private conversations.