PLA Forums
Other Stuff That Has Little To Do With PLA => Techinical Shit => Phreaking, Hacking, Social Engineering, Lock Picking => Topic started by: MattGSX on October 16, 2008, 12:50:59 PM
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So I was thinking of looking for a used radio for all of the illicit goodness that can come with using one. As the title implies, I'm not a licensed ham radio operator, and I'm not really what/where the risks are. Do I need a license to listen in on broadcasts, or only to broadcast? How often are unlicensed broadcasters caught/prosecuted? What all could I be charged with, if caught?
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Do I need a license to listen in on broadcasts, or only to broadcast?
You just need a license to transmit. You can listen all you want.
How often are unlicensed broadcasters caught/prosecuted?
It depends on what you are doing. If you are causing trouble, local hams will try to find you pretty quickly. If you are operating from a fixed location, they probably will. If you steal some obscure person's call sign, and play it cool, you may never get caught.
But illegal operators do get caught. Many hams out their would love the chance to try to track someone down. You should avoid operating illegally from a fixed location, especially if that location is your house. Also, transmit only for brief periods of time. Transmitting continuously helps them find you.
What all could I be charged with, if caught?
You would be fined, possibly several thousand dollars.
Read FCC Enforcement News (http://www.diymedia.net/fccwatch/enfnews.htm).
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Thank you, Godot, for empowering me with knowledge!
Also, you were a little heavy on the "how to do this without getting caught", but overall, that was an exemplary reply that I would love to have more of on this board. +1 is well deserved!
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Yea, we are a pretty tight crew. We do not tolerate any misbehavior on the bands. But since Karol Madera and Glenn Baxter have been getting away with it for so long without any consequences I guess you could dabble a bit. Just be sparing.
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Yea, we are a pretty tight crew. We do not tolerate any misbehavior on the bands. But since Karol Madera and Glenn Baxter have been getting away with it for so long without any consequences I guess you could dabble a bit. Just be sparing.
Dont forget Billy Crowell