'On Scene" Alternatives for the Hobbyists??!!Re: COMMENT-- SCANNER +CAMERA = TERRORIST!!??! Re: [MilCom]OFF-TOPIC -PhotographersSay Police Harass Them

[Ron King]

Hi Folks,

Even being "near" the airfield can produce its problems. I was about two
miles from RAF Lakenheath,parked up and out of the way but because I had
put a small discone mag mounted aerial on the roof that got reported to
the police who paid me a visit. 

Glad to say they accepted what I was doing and left me alone after
checking me out but informed me that "several" passers in vehicles
regarded my being there as suspicious. I was on a rural road pulled off
in a layby and nowhere near any buildings, miltary or civilian, but "Joe
Public" seemed to thing I was a danger to the base. Boy it would have
needed one heck of a bomb for that, certainly not possible in my small 4
seater car!! Needless to say I don't use that discone remotely near an
airfield now.

Rgds Ron



-----Original Message-----
From: milcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:milcom-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ken
Sent: 24 July 2004 01:27
To: Larry Van Horn; 'MILCOM'
Subject: 'On Scene" Alternatives for the Hobbyists??!!Re: COMMENT--
SCANNER +CAMERA = TERRORIST!!??! Re: [MilCom]OFF-TOPIC -PhotographersSay
Police Harass Them


Hello Larry & the group!!!!

I'm glad to see that we've had somewhat of a good debate/discussion on
this subject -- Times have changed and adaption to these changes needs
to be met!

Larry does bring up some good points about security reacting to what
they see/observe versus (what I see as) more serious potential threats
that they can't see -- because it isn't on the fence line!!!).  I've
personally  had one 'minor' incident 'outside the fence line' (post
9/11) (trying out my first new digital camera) ... So I know at my local
joint military/civilian air base/airport that I can't go right to the
fence line and have some hobby type fun, listening, watching, & taking
pictures!!!

So hobbyists have to look for some alternatives to "on scene", perhaps
better termed "near scene"!!!, so that you aren't seen by security as a
threat and thus can experience some of the joy of being close to the
action without being the subject of a security response.  However, there
still are some risks to doing this because of the public's perception of
seeing someone who looks out of the ordinary --and folks with scanners
meet that criteria, perhaps with the exception of being at a NASCAR
events or base open house/air show!!

Sometimes there might be a public parking area or public recreational
parks on some of the approach zones to runways in use, and you will be
close enough to monitor the aircraft & ground radio transmissions as
well as get a good to excellent view of the aircraft to take still
pictures or video. There also might be other areas (e.g. industrial
areas/warehouse areas) that allow public access and you will be also be
close enough.  Additionally, you might be forturnate enough to live
right on the runways approach/departure zones (I still can't figure out
how anyone would build a  new $200K+  house on an approach/departure
zone with jets rumbling overhead them (even the military doesn't put
it's family/single housing on approach/departure zones to the
runways!!!), or furthermore, adjacent (parallel/perpendicular)  to the
approach/take off zones, so you are be able to see the aircraft
(depending upon altitude--  not necessarily both takeoffs & landings or
in the pattern but at least one or more low altitude aspect) while
monitoring the radio transmissions.

Of course, there's no risk to being at your home/office monitoring the
action OR perhaps transiting/mobile (not even close to a military air
base). Surely MOST folks who are posting loggings to this list are
enjoying the hobby by monitoring from their homes.  About 95% of my
loggings are from home, 4% mobile, & <1% "near scene"...

I too would like to see every military base/civilian airport set aside a
small parking area outside the fence line for hobbyists to use.  Put in
a security camera with audio capabilities etc..  Also I  wouldn't have a
problem with paying an entrance fee to have this "on scene" ability
(hopefully one could get a yearly pass!!!).

Also I'm somewhat surprised Larry to part of your response...  I'm not
(and I think most of the lurkers & some of the posters here) trying to
be one of those erosion of rights/government conspiracy activists BUT do
believe that the spontaneous "on scene" activities are one of the
enjoyable aspects of the military communications monitoring hobby...  We
are looking for a practical/operational means of enjoying the total
aspects of the milcom monitoring hobby while yet not causing a problem
for security forces to focus on us rather than a real threat!!!....
Perhaps you are right that WE can't do anything to change this situation
at this time, BUT maybe someone on the list can come up with some
additional ideas OR be in a position to make some changes!!!

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Van Horn" <larry at grove-ent.com>
To: "'MILCOM'" <milcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 9:21 AM
Subject: RE: COMMENT-- SCANNER + CAMERA = TERRORIST!!??! Re:
[MilCom]OFF-TOPIC -Photographers Say Police Harass Them


> As one who served in military security unit during one of my shore 
> duty tours, let me boil this down in some real simple terms. If 
> someone was hanging around the fence at your house with a scanner, 
> still or video camera, binoculars, & note pad/pen, what would you do. 
> I would call the cops!
snip..snip..
> Now can we please drop this nonsense. This topic crops up way to often

> on this list and no matter how it is phrased, the answer will always 
> remain the same. We live in different times and procedures are 
> different and that is reality. We are going to learn to adapt or take 
> up another hobby. Now it is time to return this channel to its normal 
> traffic please.


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