IL spotters can breathe easier - scanner law derailed
Mark D. Conner
>The following message was originally posted on the Internet, and was
>reposted to packet radio by Chuck Gysi N2DUP@AG9Y.#WCIL.IL.USA.NA.
>The message has serious implications for storm spotters and storm
>chasers, for non-hams as well as hams. If you are an Illinois
>resident, I encourage you to contact your State Representative and
>explain to him/her why this should not become law.
[details about propsed scanner law deleted to save bandwidth]
Below is an article posted to rec.radio.scanner.................
********** begin included article *********************
From: par...@cbnewse.cb.att.com (Bob Parnass, AJ9S)
Subject: FLASH! -- Illinois anti-scanner/transceiver bill derailed
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 1994 20:19:22 GMT
Message-ID: <CoMLs...@cbnewse.cb.att.com>
Followup-To: rec.radio.scanner
Keywords: communications laws, scanner radio, crime
Lines: 27
x
I just spoke with Rep. Tom Cross, my Illinois (Republi-
can) congressman who introduced IL House Bill 4180,
essentially outlawing portable and mobile scanners and
transceivers with extended frequency coverage.
He has shelved the bill temporarily and will reintro-
duce a much different version later. The new version
will make it a crime to *use* a radio receiver like a
scanner in the commission of a crime.
Cross said he was originally prompted by police groups
who are frustrated by gang members and criminals using
scanners. Now, that he has heard from several people
protesting 4180, he realizes the side effect of outlaw-
ing scanners and regrets that the original bill was
drafted so poorly.
Cross asked me how I heard about the bill and I told
him "a computer network at Bell Labs." I told him I
would let people know the results of our conversation.
--
==============================================================================
Copyright 1994, Bob Parnass, AJ9S
AT&T Bell Laboratories - par...@ihlpf.att.com - (708)979-5414
************* end included article *******************
In case you've ever wondered how stupid laws ever get out of the
statehouse/Capitol, here's a prime example of legislating before
thinking.
--
Mark D. Conner Opinions expressed here are
Dept. of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences not necessarily those of the
Purdue University Government, DoD, Purdue, or
mco...@rain.atms.purdue.edu the author.