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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!decwrl!moroney@jon.DEC (Mike Moroney)
From: moroney@jon.DEC (Mike Moroney)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Reception of Radar Signals
Message-ID: <43@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Aug-85 17:53:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.43
Posted: Tue Aug 20 17:53:46 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 23-Aug-85 08:34:03 EDT
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>I've seen several people make the claim that the federal government
>cannot restrict reception of radio signals.  This is certainly
>not true.

It most certainly is true.  Anyone may listen in on any radio transmission he
can receive.  If the transmitter doesn't wish others listening in on their
conversations, it is their responsibility to encrypt the data in some way or
other.  Please check the Communications Act of 1934 for more details. 

>                                                 In particular,
>if you listen to a radio transmission that is not from a broadcast
>station, you are specifically prohibited by law from repeating
>anything you hear to anyone else.

This is correct.  The way the law reads it is perfectly O.K. to listen in on
radio conversations, but is illegal to repeat what you have heard to anyone
else not present.  The only exceptions are broadcast signals and amateur radio.
Therefore, technically, it is o.k. to have a radar detector in your car, but if
it goes off, it is illegal for you to get on the C.B. and warn other drivers of
"Smokey taking pictures".  I believe you have reception of radio confused with
dissemination of received information. 
 
>Reception of satellite TV is legal because the signals are meant
>for broadcast.  Listening to private satellite transmissions (for
>example, phone calls) is not necessarily legal, and in many cases
>is illegal.

Reception of satellite T.V. is not legal because of it being intended for
broadcast, it is legal ANYWAY.  Besides, most satellite T.V. programming is not
intended for broadcast, most is destined for cable T.V.  They aren't the same. 
Listening in on private satellite information, including phone calls, is
perfectly legal.  The NSA does it all the time for all overseas phone calls. 

>Wm Leler

-Mike Moroney
..decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-jon!moroney