Shooting as a freelancer

[IndyJeff]

Since that thread seems to have been deleted I would like to offer a suggestion to the original poster. Below is my last post which I was working on when it got deleted I guess


Everyone here is speaking way off the cuff. I did not email this guy for a job. I merely wanted to talk to him about opportunities that exist in photojournalism. I am a hobbyist and am exploring my options. I own a air conditioning company and am a multimillionaire, making a living off photography is not really a concern. The ONLY job of a director at a newspaper is to hire and recruit and develop talent. By insulting the talent out there this guys way off base. He deserves to be put in his place and you people who always claim to work hard blah blah blah and that people need to work their way up. I tell you what. At the company I own I hire based on talent not on how long you've been in the business. Anyone who disagrees with me is just bitter and not a good businessman.

Obviously it is you who is speaking way off the cuff. You want to shoot for his paper, are you going to do that for free? Of course you don't need the money so why would you want to take away an opportunity from someone who may depend on photography for his/her living?
If asking about being freelancer for the Chronicle, or any freelance job for that matter, isn't asking for a job, then I am greatly misinformed about what constitutes being employeed as a freelancer.


If your a hobbist you don't need to shoot for the Chronicle. You want to be a shooter and aren't worried about the money? Find the poorest high school district in your area, make an appointment with their AD and go in and offer your services as a sports photographer for the school. Chances are there isn't any money to be made or someone would already be doing it, instead they went to a school with a little more money in the income area of the parents.
You could offer to let them use the photos for their website, make prints available to the players. Maybe print, or have printed, 50 photos from each game and hand them out at the end of the season at the sports banquet. If they don't have a banquet, offer to sponsor one for fall sports, winter and spring as well. Maybe you could even start a photography club at the school. Donate a few decent cameras and a couple of different lenses, probably would be a tax write off too if you did it thru the business.

Trust me you would get a lot more experience and probably have a much better time doing that than trying to freelance for the Chronicle.
To freelance at the Chronicle you would probably be assigned no less than 2 football games on game night, maybe 2-3 basketball games and cover the end of the bigger wrestling tourneys in town. You won't get to know any of the players because you won't be around long enough. However if you did the poor high school thing, you would get to know the kids and maybe mentor some young kid who has an interest in photography and give them a path to do something with their life. I see a GOLDEN opportunity here that you could get more satisfaction and experience out of than any freelance job you would ever have.
The ball is in your court, what will you serve up now?

[IndyJeff]

I am not sure about the law in Texas or in Houston but in Indiana I am reasonably sure it is illegal to have a police scanner in your vehicle and unless it is less than a mile from you, the paper probably will have someone there or on the way.
Second point, unless you have press credentials issued by the local jurisdiction you are probably asking for an obstructing charge. Sure you can shoot from behind the crime scene tape but, you can't just run into the paper with a photo and say I got a shot of a murder scene. You need info for a cutline and without it your not gaining any advantage by being there quicker than the paper.
Chances are if it is a big enough event, crime wise, the paper will also have someone who monitors the scanner and calls a photographer to see if he can cover it.
So I guess my answer would be no, I don't think it would be a worthwhile venture. Besides, how much do you expect to make off of a spot news shot? My guess is you won't make more than $25, if that.

[SBCmetroguy]

Hey Dude here in Shreveport the 911 system updates onto a website in realtime (http://www.caddo911.com)... no need for a scanner! You can watch the homicides and armed robberies update on the website right before your eyes. lol

You might want to check to see if Houston offers something similar for when you might not have the scanner handy (ie. you have your laptop with you connected to wireless at a cafe but your scanner is at home.)

[airfrogusmc]

I don't know if they're legal but most photographers that do freelance work for the newspapers have portable scanners. How else are you going to know about breaking news? Anyway thats the way they used to work a few years back.

[MJPhotos24]

Scanners are illegal in cars in all 50 states. They also usually have someone on staff that covers those events that they trust and knows the do's and don'ts of covering such an unfortunate occurence. Besides putting that just below being an ambulance chasing attorney that is, not many photographers want to do that but have to at times and try to save some dignity for the poor people involved. Newspapers pay $15-25 a shot usually - sometimes more but not usually. And hey, they can always take the still frame the video and publish it to from the local news!

[MJPhotos24]

I don't know if they're legal but most photographers that do freelance work for the newspapers have portable scanners. How else are you going to know about breaking news? Anyway thats the way they used to work a few years back.

According to the local guy they cant do that anymore (but who knows if some do). They have a cell phone that they get the assignment on from the paper immediately.

[airfrogusmc]

According to the local guy they cant do that anymore (but who knows if some do). They have a cell phone that they get the assignment on from the paper immediately.

Used to know a guy that had a fairly small one he wore almost all the time with a earpeice. He was freelance and actually sold several images becasue he was the only one that got the shot. He told me allot of the freelance photographers used scanners. Thats was a while ago. He would go and shoot and hope more than one paper would pick up his images. One heck of a way to make a $$$.

[transcend]

The laws changed fairly recently, perhaps a patriot act byproduct?

All news room swill have fixed police scanners with rooftop aerials for them. Usually it is sitting on the local/police beat reporters desk. Larger newsdesks will have a paid employee who listens to the scanner all day, as well as monitors local television. They will dispatch via phone/text and pager.

Also, most local papers will require you to be able to do a modicum of reporting as well. A bare minimum of the 5 Ws for your caption.

[transcend]

I dont care if i'm taking food out another persons mouth. If thats what I want to do and I am able to be more competitive than him well then you know ...

So you talk like this, but he was "insulting the talent?" Pot, meet kettle.

If I was that editor and someone like this applied to me for a job, I'd point to the door and tell you not to let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. I don't care how good you are or how cheap you are.

[transcend]

thats because youre not a businessman youre just a photographer. You wouldnt know how to run a paper just how to snap pictures.

Sure thing, Sparky. Or it could be that I just don't like blowhards with more bark than bite.

[primoz]

I somehow agree... I don't care if someone else loses job because of me. But, and that's big but, I still want to play fair. I might be naive, but I still do hope world is mostly friendly and fair. So yes I don't care if someone loses job because I'm better, and for at least same or even higher price. It's free market and it's business on the end. But going there, offering job for free or for 50% of normal price, just because this is fun for you, and you don't need to earn money, is not way to go.
I might be in different business, and shooting sport (or any other PJ work) might be different then I don't know... shooting beautiful ladies in studio, shooting perfect landscapes somewhere in middle of nowhere etc. But at least with sport and politics, you are surrounded with other photographers all the time. And when not playing fair, you will will have 20 enemies standing next to you. And I guess you can imagine how much pleasure such working conditions will give you. Not to mention all the missed shots you will get out of this. You have to count, other people are not stupid either ;)

[dmwierz]

thats because youre not a businessman youre just a photographer. You wouldnt know how to run a paper just how to snap pictures.

Do you have ANY idea to whom you are talking, 'Dude? Several of the people replying to your thread have been shooting professional images longer than you've been alive. Others have actually run businesses worth more than you will make in your lifetime. A couple have done both.

You might want to try and listen to the advice you're getting. You could find out that some folks actually know more than you do on a few topics

Have you ever heard this quote:

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt"

Words to live by.

[sfaust]

Scanners are illegal in cars in all 50 states.


Actually, thats not true at all. MA, MS, WV, CA, VA, VT, SD, OK, NJ, NB, to name a few, all allow their use while mobile as long as you are not using it during the commission of a crime, hindering public service, etc. In RI its illegal if you are a convicted criminal, and using it while mobile. SD its illegal if you are a convicted felon with the last 10 years. There's 12 that can be dropped off the list right away, and I know there are plenty more if I dug further. NY, MI, MN, KY, IN, FL do ban them outright, and again, I'm sure there are a few more.

HAM radio operators, which I am one, are exempt in all states if you have a valid FCC license (easy to get) with the obvious exception of use during criminal activity, hindering public service, etc.

[MJPhotos24]

Actually, thats not true at all. MA, MS, WV, CA, VA, VT, SD, OK, NJ, NB, to name a few, all allow their use while mobile as long as you are not using it during the commission of a crime, hindering public service, etc. In RI its illegal if you are a convicted criminal, and using it while mobile. SD its illegal if you are a convicted felon with the last 10 years. There's 12 that can be dropped off the list right away, and I know there are plenty more if I dug further. NY, MI, MN, KY, IN, FL do ban them outright, and again, I'm sure there are a few more.

HAM radio operators, which I am one, are exempt in all states if you have a valid FCC license (easy to get) with the obvious exception of use during criminal activity, hindering public service, etc.

darn internet lied to me...but it was reported several times they are illegal in cars in all 50. Maybe was a temporary thing? No clue, I can't stoop that low to go chasing someone else's misery.

[sfaust]

darn internet lied to me...but it was reported several times they are illegal in cars in all 50. Maybe was a temporary thing? No clue, I can't stoop that low to go chasing someone else's misery.

The internet always lies. I thought we all understood that by now ;) :) :)

I don't chase mysery either. My HAM radio has the ability to scan most bands, so I have a lot of the public service bands programmed into it. Mainly for two reasons. One, I'm nosey and like to know whats up when I see blue or red lights whizzing past me. But more importantly, since my HAM radio is also for emergency purposes, I need the other bands programmed and ready to go if needed.

[asysin2leads]

Scanners are illegal in cars in all 50 states.

Actually, that is incorrect. It is legal to have a scanner in your car that receives any frequency, including air band and military channels. Now, if you are using that scanner in a commission of a crime, THEN it is illegal to have a scanner. Transmitting on these channels are illegal. In order to transmit on a HAM frequency, you are required to have a HAM license. You are not permitted to transmit on a public safety frequency unless you are authorized.

[sfaust]

Actually, that is incorrect. It is legal to have a scanner in your car that receives any frequency, including air band and military ....

Which state. There is no blanket answer on this question. In New York, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, it is outright banned to have one mounted in the car, regardless of the state its in (powered on, powered off, transmitting, receiving, etc).

Here is a reference from the National Conference of State Legislatures regarding scanners and radar detectors. You can drill down to the state laws for exact laws for each state. http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm

[New Hobby]

So it looks like NY has the most stringent law..."Possessing a scanner is illegal for anyone without a permit." The rest looks like "can not be used for a crime" or "have a ham license." If memory serves, a ham license is not that hard to get now because they dropped the Morse code requirement for the basic licenses.

[MJPhotos24]

See what happens when you live in NY? You think our stingy laws are universal...that's it, I'm headin south and or west. This state sucks! (not that I'd want a darn scanner in my car! but other laws and stupidity this state does that drives businesses out is driving a lot of employees out to). :)

[GTriever]

Having been in the communications business for over 20 years, I see a lot of misinformation being passed around here about scanners and radios, at least as both Federal and KENTUCKY statutes apply.

NY, MI, MN, KY, IN, FL do ban them (scanners) outright, and again, I'm sure there are a few more.

HAM radio operators, which I am one, are exempt in all states if you have a valid FCC license (easy to get) with the obvious exception of use during criminal activity, hindering public service, etc.

Kentucky has no outright ban; there are exceptions as provided in the statute.


I don't chase mysery either. My HAM radio has the ability to scan most bands, so I have a lot of the public service bands programmed into it. Mainly for two reasons. One, I'm nosey and like to know whats up when I see blue or red lights whizzing past me. But more importantly, since my HAM radio is also for emergency purposes, I need the other bands programmed and ready to go if needed.

That could get you in trouble on two fronts. One, if that Ham radio is not type accepted for commercial/public safety use (and most, if not all, aren't) by the FCC, you are in violation. Two, in Kentucky unless you are specifically authorized in writing to have police frequencies programmed in a radio, you are in violation. My question (and no offense intended), why do you need those freqs in a Ham radio? Amateur radio is used in emergency to supplement communications if needed, not to be used on working public safety channels.

Actually, that is incorrect. It is legal to have a scanner in your car that receives any frequency, including air band and military channels. Now, if you are using that scanner in a commission of a crime, THEN it is illegal to have a scanner. Transmitting on these channels are illegal. In order to transmit on a HAM frequency, you are required to have a HAM license. You are not permitted to transmit on a public safety frequency unless you are authorized.

Which state. There is no blanket answer on this question. In New York, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, it is outright banned to have one mounted in the car, regardless of the state its in (powered on, powered off, transmitting, receiving, etc).

Both broad statements are incorrect, at least in my area. My advice: before installing scanners or other radio devices capable of transmitting or receiving public safety frequencies in your vehicle, check the local and state statutes for your areas of operation...

[sfaust]

Having been in the communications business for over 20 years, I see a lot of misinformation being passed around here about scanners and radios, at least as both Federal and KENTUCKY statutes apply.

Kentucky has no outright ban; there are exceptions as provided in the statute.

Of course there is, otherwise even law enforcement couldn't have them :). I mean they are banned from the general population, ie, those without exceptions. I should said that. My bad.

That could get you in trouble on two fronts. One, if that Ham radio is not type accepted for commercial/public safety use (and most, if not all, aren't) by the FCC, you are in violation. Two, in Kentucky unless you are specifically authorized in writing to have police frequencies programmed in a radio, you are in violation. My question (and no offense intended), why do you need those freqs in a Ham radio? Amateur radio is used in emergency to supplement communications if needed, not to be used on working public safety channels.

In section 432.570, there is no requirement that the radio has to be type certified by the FCC for commercial/public safety. It maybe true for radios if it is for transmit purposes on police bands, but it doesn't appear to be the case for scanners. But for a FCC accepted amateur radio that is capable of 'receiving' police frequencies (the vast majority on the market are capable in that area), and operated by a licensed ham radio operator, they are excluded from the restrictions. In fact, the law states that any FCC licensed amateur radio operator is simply excluded from law, regardless if its part of a ham radio or just a simple scanner.

Here is what Kentucky law says (taken from Kentucky's government website).

According to 432.570 Restrictions on possession or use of radio capable of sending or receiving police messages -- Penalty -- Enforcement.

In section 4.C

Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the possession of a radio by: ((they define radio as a police radio or scanner type))

An individual who possesses such a radio, provided it is capable of receiving radio transmissions only and is not capable of sending or transmitting radio messages, at his place of residence; licensed commercial auto towing trucks; newspaper reporters and photographers; emergency management agency personnel authorized in writing by the director of the division of emergency
management (for state personnel) or chief executive of the city or county (for their respective personnel); a person holding a valid license issued by the Federal Communications Commission in the amateur radio service; peace officers authorized in writing by the head of their law enforcement agency, Commonwealth's attorneys and their assistants, county attorneys and their assistants, except that it shall be unlawful to use such radio to facilitate any criminal activity or to avoid apprehension by law enforcement officers.

I would feel quite confident that I couldn't be charged, or if charged, I could easily beat it by referring to their own law allowing its use, regardless of its type certification, or whether or not you have written permission. All you need is an FCC amateur radio license and you are exempt under this law, or in fact even being a newspaper photographer with a receive only scanner is explicitly allowed.

And if there is conflict at the local or state level, there is a federal law and also excludes HAM operators. So that can always be used as a trump card, and to backup a broad statement that HAM radio operators are excluded from scanner laws in all states. I'll try to find a reference to that if I can find it.

If the law was as you stated, HAM radio operations would be illegal in Kentucky, since as you stated, none of them are type rated for commercial/public safety use by the FCC, and most all are capable of receiving on the emergency bands. And thats just not the case.

Both broad statements are incorrect, at least in my area. My advice: before installing scanners or other radio devices capable of transmitting or receiving public safety frequencies in your vehicle, check the local and state statutes for your areas of operation...

Very valid advice! If in doubt, look it up in the state laws, not some website somewhere. Hearsay isn't that well regarded in court :)

[GTriever]

Of course there is, otherwise even law enforcement couldn't have them :). I mean they are banned from the general population, ie, those without exceptions. I should said that. My bad.

Granted, under your new definition of "outright ban". :)

In section 432.570, there is no requirement that the radio has to be type certified by the FCC for commercial/public safety. It maybe true for radios if it is for transmit purposes on police bands, but it doesn't appear to be the case for scanners. But for a FCC accepted amateur radio that is capable of 'receiving' police frequencies (the vast majority on the market are capable in that area), and operated by a licensed ham radio operator, they are excluded from the restrictions. In fact, the law states that any FCC licensed amateur radio operator is simply excluded from law, regardless if its part of a ham radio or just a simple scanner.

The requirement under KRS 432.570 does not regulate type acceptance; that falls under FCC regs and is intended to reduce harmful interference. Use of a non-conforming radio or device is subject to confiscation and fine or imprisonment under federal (FCC) regs, not KRS statute. While the chances of that are very slim, it nevertheless does exist.

Here is what Kentucky law says (taken from Kentucky's government website).

According to 432.570 Restrictions on possession or use of radio capable of sending or receiving police messages -- Penalty -- Enforcement.

In section 4.C

Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the possession of a radio by: ((they define radio as a police radio or scanner type))

a person holding a valid license issued by the Federal Communications Commission in the amateur radio service; peace officers authorized in writing by the head of their law enforcement agency, Commonwealth's attorneys and their assistants, county attorneys and their assistants, except that it shall be unlawful to use such radio to facilitate any criminal activity or to avoid apprehension by law enforcement officers.

I would feel quite confident that I couldn't be charged, or if charged, I could easily beat it by referring to their own law allowing its use, regardless of its type certification, or whether or not you have written permission. All you need is an FCC amateur radio license and you are exempt under that law.

And if there is conflict at the local or state level, there is a federal law and also excludes HAM operators. So that can always be used as a trump card, and to backup a broad statement that HAM radio operators are excluded. I'll try to find a reference to that if I can find it.



Very valid advice! Look it up and know, and don't rely on hearsay. Hearsay isn't that well regarded in court :)

KSR 432.570 is posted in a very prominent place in my office, because we've had to refer to it on more occasions than I like to count. Let me try to explain what the flaw is in your reasoning here, and I mean no offense: The KRS statute says you are allowed to have an amateur radio in your possession that is capable of sending or receiving police messages as defined; it does not state that you are authorized to actually use it to transmit on police frequencies (and that exact situation has been argued in the courts before). The FCC mandates the "legal" bands that you are authorized to use for amateur purposes, and public safety frequencies do not fall within those bands. You are authorized to work in conjunction with public safety and in some cases military, under ARES and MARS, to assist with emergency communications under restrictions as outlined in those federal sections.

If you want to monitor public safety communications, by all means do so... legally. In Kentucky, if it were me though, I'd make sure I didn't have transmit capability plugged in there, just to be on the safe side. And by the way, if you are involved with ARES and/or MARS, thank you! We need all the help we can get out there.

Oh, and my apologies for rambling on and taking this thread further away from the other thing that we all love... photography. :D

[sfaust]

The requirement under KRS 432.570 does not regulate type acceptance; that falls under FCC regs and is intended to reduce harmful interference. Use of a non-conforming radio or device is subject to confiscation and fine or imprisonment under federal (FCC) regs, not KRS statute. While the chances of that are very slim, it nevertheless does exist.

I completely understand the type acceptance and non-conforming issues. But it doesn't apply here. These aren't customized, modified, or non-conforming radios we are talking about. They are off the shelf public service receive only scanners already FCC compliant. No one will be going to jail for a non-conforming radio unless the illegally modify the radio. Whole different issue, different laws.

KSR 432.570 is posted in a very prominent place in my office, because we've had to refer to it on more occasions than I like to count. Let me try to explain what the flaw is in your reasoning here, and I mean no offense: The KRS statute says you are allowed to have an amateur radio in your possession that is capable of sending or receiving police messages as defined; it does not state that you are authorized to actually use it to transmit on police frequencies (and that exact situation has been argued in the courts before). The FCC mandates the "legal" bands that you are authorized to use for amateur purposes, and public safety frequencies do not fall within those bands. You are authorized to work in conjunction with public safety and in some cases military, under ARES and MARS, to assist with emergency communications under restrictions as outlined in those federal sections.

Good point, but thats a whole different issue. So no offsense taken at all :) We are not talking about transmitting on police bands with any radio! We are not talking about illegally modifying a radio to a non-conforming state in order to transmit on illegal frequencies. Nor are we talking about exceeding the bounds of ones HAM license with regards to transmitting on unauthorized frequencies outside of the normal HAM band.

We are talking about is every day off the shelf scanners and HAM radios whch are FCC compliant, sold and used for the purpose of receiving public service bands, and/or transmitting and receiving on authorized amateur frequencies. FCC compliant scanners and HAM radios sold in the US are NOT capable of transmitting on the police band unless they are 'illegally modified', bought gray market, etc. So the argument argument is moot for joe blow who walks into their local electronics store and buys a scanner or HAM radio.

I don't think there was one reference in this thread to transmitting on the police bands, or illegally modifying their radios, but only monitoring with every day scanners. The flaw you point out in my reasoning is predicated on the fact that the radio MUST have the ability to TRANSMIT on those frequencies illegally, which FCC compliant scanners and HAM radios sold in the US just don't do.

It is a good point though just in case someone is technically capable enough to modify a scanner or HAM radio to transmit on unauthorized bands. But I don't think that applies to 99% of the people here with regard to Kentucky's law, my explaination of it, and off the shelf US scanners and HAM radios.

[gymell]

Scanners are illegal in cars in all 50 states.

That is so NOT true. There is a minority of states states that do restrict mobile scanners in vehicles, but a 1993 FCC ruling allowing licensed ham radio operators to have carry mobile radio equipment (whether a scanner or a full ham radio) preempts those laws. The majority of states do not have any mobile scanner restrictions! BTW, mobile scanners are used for other things besides ambulance chasing - for example storm chasers use them, hobbyists, anyone interested in traffic/weather/aviation, etc. I use mine mostly to keep track of what storm spotters are reporting and also if there is an accident or something, I want to know what is going on!

See the following links:

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html
http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/pr91-36/pr91-36.html

[gymell]

Which state. There is no blanket answer on this question. In New York, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, it is outright banned to have one mounted in the car, regardless of the state its in (powered on, powered off, transmitting, receiving, etc).

Here is a reference from the National Conference of State Legislatures regarding scanners and radar detectors. You can drill down to the state laws for exact laws for each state. http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm

There is no outright ban. From your link:

Minnesota - Mobile scanners are illegal except for police and amateur radio operators licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.

South Dakota -: Amateur radio operators exempted from law.

Kentucky - The law exempts the following: People holding a valid amateur radio license.

And so on.

[MJPhotos24]

That is so NOT true. There is a minority of states states that do restrict mobile scanners in vehicles, but a 1993 FCC ruling allowing licensed ham radio operators to have carry mobile radio equipment (whether a scanner or a full ham radio) preempts those laws. The majority of states do not have any mobile scanner restrictions! BTW, mobile scanners are used for other things besides ambulance chasing - for example storm chasers use them, hobbyists, anyone interested in traffic/weather/aviation, etc. I use mine mostly to keep track of what storm spotters are reporting and also if there is an accident or something, I want to know what is going on!

See the following links:

http://www.afn.org/~afn09444/scanlaws/scanner5.html
http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/pr91-36/pr91-36.html

If you read the entire post you'll see this was already stated by other responders...

[gymell]

If you read the entire post you'll see this was already stated by other responders...

Yeah, I read the entire thread. And in my response, I made some points that nobody else did.

[sfaust]

There is no outright ban. From your link:

Minnesota - Mobile scanners are illegal except for police and amateur radio operators licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.

South Dakota -: Amateur radio operators exempted from law.

Kentucky - The law exempts the following: People holding a valid amateur radio license.

And so on.

Yes, we have been thought all this. Read back the last 15 replies or so. I already acknowledged that my statement should have read..

For the general population of Kentucky, Minnesota, and South Dakota, mobile scanners are banned outright.

I stand corrected, and I already apologized for not being specific with regard to the general population about 4 days ago. Not sure why you are bringing it up again though?

But since we are bring accurate here, your statements a regarding Kentucky is also incorrect since the law exempts more than "People holding a valid amateur radio license". It also exempts law enforcement officers, fireman and volunteers, ambulance services, ambulance service directors, peace officers, commonwealth and country attorneys and assistants, tow truck operators, some chief executives/city officials, probation officers, parole officers, newspaper reporters and photographers, just to name a few. The same holds true for Minnesota and South Dakota.

If we are going to chastise someone for a making a simple generalization, lets not turn around and generalize ourselves. Fair enough?

[liza]

It isn't going to make much difference in a few years. Police agencies are starting to scramble their communications so they can't be heard over a scanner. The city department in the town where I once worked as a jail corrections officer/dispatcher did this several years ago, and I imagine many other departments will soon follow suit.

[sfaust]

I agree. If they want their communications private, scambling is the only way to go. I think it will take a lot longer than a few years before that happens though. Its expensive for towns to do this, and I feel most will push it off until they need an upgrade for reasons other than scrambling. But over time they will drop off into 'scrambleville' one by one.

In my area, there are only a few that are scrambled. The vast majority are still unscrambled. It seems every year one or two more go, but at that rate it will take 20-30 years before all will be scrambled.

As it relates to photography, I wonder how many people here actually use a scanner in conjunction with photography? I'm guessing its a very small number.

I personally don't use it for anything other than just wanted to know whats happening in my town, on the highway, or during storms, emergencies, etc. I can't think of one time I used it for photographic purposes.

So, anyone use it for photography?

[MJPhotos24]

Yeah, I read the entire thread. And in my response, I made some points that nobody else did.

I guess it was just pointless to quote me when already said "whoops my bad" on it, since I was looking at NY and counties...and a lot of the points were made already, ah well.


As it relates to photography, I wonder how many people here actually use a scanner in conjunction with photography? I'm guessing its a very small number.

I personally don't use it for anything other than just wanted to know whats happening in my town, on the highway, or during storms, emergencies, etc. I can't think of one time I used it for photographic purposes.

So, anyone use it for photography?

I would guess low to, only ones I ever hear of is newspapers. Personally don't care to use them at all, too busy and have a grandma that has one blaring in her house - anything important happens she'll call :)

[gymell]

I guess it was just pointless to quote me when already said "whoops my bad" on it, since I was looking at NY and counties...and a lot of the points were made already, ah well.


I would guess low to, only ones I ever hear of is newspapers. Personally don't care to use them at all, too busy and have a grandma that has one blaring in her house - anything important happens she'll call :)

You're right, I reacted too fast in my response. But as far as photographic uses of scanners, a lot of storm chasers are also photographers, and they use scanners and/or ham radio and to keep up with what's going on. Here's an example, an article (http://www.pdnedu.com/qanda/pro_q_and_a_2.shtml) about extreme weather photographer Jim Reed (http://www.jimreedphoto.com/). Which goes to show that using a scanner is not all about ambulance chasing.

[sfaust]

I agree with you Liz, there are so many different ways scanners are used for good purpose. My guess is the minority are used for ambulance chasing. And those are probably lawyers anyway, not photographers :) ;)