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Using a radio scanner

Although not directly related to amateur radio, this page is dedicated to using a scanner to pick up radio signals.

On this page, you’ll find answers to a few questions we’ve been asked.

Is it legal for me to use a scanner?

This is a tricky one, and it’s best to answer this in two parts:

What’s Legal in the UK?

  • It is legal to buy and own a scanner
  • It is legal to use a scanner to listen to licensed broadcast radio stations (e.g. BBC and commercial radio stations
  • It is legal to listen to CB radio transmission and amateur radio transmissions
  • It is legal to listen to weather and navigation transmissions
  • It is legal to listen to services for which you are licensed (for example, pilots are allowed to listen to the aircraft band)

What is not Legal in the UK?

  • It is not legal to listen to a pirate radio station
  • It is not legal to listen to messages that are not intended for you – this means that you cannot listen to business messages (e.g. taxis, couriers, nightclubs, etc) and private conversations.
  • It is not legal to listen to the emergency services (police, ambulance, fire) or the military
  • It is not legal to listen in on telephone calls, cordless phones, baby monitors, mobile phones, intercom systems
  • It is illegal to tell someone what has been said in a transmission that you were not allowed to hear.

The key rule, from section 46 of the Wireless Telegraphy act, states that it is an offence to use:

“wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any message whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not, of which neither the person using the apparatus nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient“

Got a question about radio scanners? Add a comment below…

Comments (22) on “Using a radio scanner”

  1. Janet says:
    17 November 2017 at 18:44

    Hi

    I have a question about radio scanner’s and there listening radius in respect of distance?

    Say a station is set up in Hellifield, North Yorkshire to Carnforth, Lancashire ( think it is about 24 miles)?

    Janet

    Reply
  2. Pete M0PSX says:
    17 November 2017 at 18:58

    This depends on the type of antenna (handheld, car, rooftop, loft, garden) and the frequencies you want to receive. Reception of stations around the world on shortwave frequencies using a scanner with a modest antenna is possible, but reception of high frequencies on a small handheld antenna will be very limited.

    Pete

    Reply
  3. Fred Cherney says:
    25 December 2018 at 18:17

    I recently purchased a UBC125XLT scanner from England.
    I find it works very well with BuTel programming software.
    I should like to upgrade to a scanner with uninterrupted coverage up to 3000 mHz.
    Wish to know if there are any such units which work with BuTel software.
    Can’t find contact information for BuTel to ask them directly.
    Do you know of any scanners with total coverage to 3000 mHz and will work with BuTel software?
    Many thanks
    Fred

    Reply
  4. Kyle says:
    3 March 2019 at 05:48

    Has it ever happened where you are attempting to find a legal broadcast and accidently pick up an illegal one and it’s not one you even want to hear? You hear this weird conversation taking over what your listening to?

    Reply
  5. Marcus Lamb- Bentley says:
    9 May 2020 at 01:31

    Could you please do a section on absolute beginner stuff like Squelch and Gain etc.. Reviews on radios and tips for antennas. I like your show on Alexa but it doesn’t have anything for me (49yrs Idiot with Radio) Also I am in Hastings UK and Airband is a real struggle, Could you maybe list some good signals (like the shipping forecast but for reception) for us to find. I have a Tecsun S2000 and a Baofeng UV-5R as I’m only new to the sport. Thanks ever so much

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 August 2020 at 00:25

      Hi Marcus,

      Have you considered taking our free online course? See http://www.hamtrain.co.uk

      Reply
  6. RustyKnight says:
    30 August 2020 at 00:01

    According to Ofcom it IS NOT legal to listen to CB in the UK.

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 August 2020 at 00:24

      Sorry. but it is perfectly legal to listen to CB in the UK.

      The Ofcom document confirming this can be found here:

      https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/89037/Guidance-on-Receive-Only-Radio-Scanners.pdf

      This clearly states:

      “A license is not required to use a radio receiver or scanner as long as it is not capable of transmission. It is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanner or any other receiver but it should only be used to listen to transmissions meant for general reception. The services that can be listened to under the definition of general reception are: 1. licensed broadcasting stations; 2. amateur and citizens’ band radio transmissions; ; and 3. weather and navigation transmissions”

      100% confirms that listening to CB is legal. Can you point me at an Ofcom document that says otherwise?

      Reply
  7. Liam says:
    20 September 2020 at 00:41

    It’s not legal to listen to the police? I had no clue, I assumed it was similar to the US.

    Reply
  8. Blitz4832 says:
    16 November 2020 at 23:00

    Is it legal to listen to police in America and when in the UK and that they know about it being public and also being a few minutes behind for people safety

    Reply
  9. Eddie Baker says:
    3 December 2020 at 14:46

    Novice here,
    What is a good starter for general use ie aircraft, boats emergency etc don’t need anything that transmits prefer handheld
    Thank you

    Reply
  10. asherpat says:
    8 December 2020 at 19:57

    hi, i am a complete newbie and interested in CB radio only coz the recent madness with COVID turned me into a Prepper. So I want to know if SHTF, no internet, no phones, can I buy a cheap CB radio set to listen to emergency services eg police, ambulance etc.? what is the term for such set and is it legal at all?

    Reply
  11. Agent X says:
    21 December 2020 at 23:54

    As far I was aware it was legal to listen to the Police as long as you didn’t use, or act on the information.

    It is not possible to listen to the UK police any more as they use a highly secure encrypted Tetra system.

    Its legal to listen and transmit on CB legal frequencies. 4 watts FM & 12watts for AM/SSB.

    Reply
  12. Jeff says:
    3 April 2022 at 21:39

    Looking to get my first scanner.
    Any recommendations

    Reply
  13. Simon says:
    10 August 2022 at 20:13

    Is it legal to buy and own a transceiver and use it to listen ham radio without transmission in UK? (instead of using scanner or receiver)

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      10 August 2022 at 20:25

      Yes, that’s legal – ham radio is available for “general reception”

      Reply
  14. George Windras says:
    12 August 2022 at 11:46

    ge.burke@sky.com

    Reply
  15. George Windras says:
    12 August 2022 at 11:51

    Hi we are an elderly couple and live in Fleetwood, we often sit on the promenade and there is quite a bit of activity by air and sea and we would love to join in the comings and goings. what would the best scanner to buy and what kind of shop sells them please? TIA

    Reply
  16. George Windras says:
    12 August 2022 at 11:54

    12 August 2022 Reply
    Hi we are an elderly couple and live in Fleetwood, we often sit on the promenade and there is quite a bit of activity by air and sea and we would love to join in the comings and goings. what would the best scanner to buy and what kind of shop sells them please? TIA

    Add a Comment

    Reply
  17. Bob Ross says:
    23 March 2023 at 02:23

    Well, now thats going to make me think, theres no Tandy, no Radio Shack, no Maplin, no Telly Parts, It looks like your going to need a SDR – Software Defined Radio Mhz 0 to 30 or upto Ghz 2000 from Amazon, just plug it in your Laptop or PC, or a stand alone box.

    Take a look at this Free online HF Radio Resevers from around the World and have a play with them – http://kiwisdr.com/public/

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Sdr-Radio/4670/bn_7023412376?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5337590774&customid=&toolid=10001

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/sdr-radio/s?k=sdr+radio

    SDR-Radio.com software is a Windows solution for Software Defined Radio (SDR) receivers and transceivers. The software is being continually developed with new features added on a regular basis. Licenced radio amateurs and shortwave listeners do not need a licence to use this software; a licence is required for commercial use .

    I hope you found this usefull.
    From one old Short Wave user I once reseved Wellington, New Zeland from Wolverhampton, UK on a old Realistic DX 160.
    I use to make my owne CB Radio Mods, I got 15 watt output and put an extra RF Stage to turn a deff Audioline 341 Uniden Board into a very good radio with out the issing and sushing of a Sibadine Board – York 863.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ccylez-0-1MHz%E2%80%911-7GHz-Receiver-Communication-Intercom-default/dp/B08FC2NJ1N
    WoW what a nice bit of kit, how do they do it? 0.1Mhz-1.7Ghz

    Reply
  18. Steven says:
    8 February 2024 at 10:43

    Where does PMR446 and the business band just above it fall with listening? I take it since PMR446 is an open free to use band it should be legal to listen but I’d assume if I’m not licenced and the intended recipient of the business band I can’t listen to it?

    Reply
  19. Alastair says:
    8 February 2024 at 11:12

    How did I ever get through the 1980s listening to all kinds of frequencies on scanners without realising it is illegal? (I always knew that listening to police was illegal, despite it being audible on the low end of the broadcast VHF band, which made complete sense) Otherwise does seem a bit of a bizarre law you might find in a totalitarian country, given that encryption has been available for decades for those needing privacy

    Reply

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