WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Just after everyone elses opinion. Has it gone quiet on this site ever since members stopped posting current events that people are listening to in real time?

I actually enjoyed the input people were putting in about a month ago, and reading about the stuff I missed.

What do you think?

I liked reading about what was going on around the place.

People should be allowled to post what they want and then its up to the person what they want to read and what they dont.

pinkbosseslady wrote:I liked reading about what was going on around the place.

I have no problem with "this is what happened" discussion of major events much after the event. Especially after the news media have reported and we can fill in what really happened

I do have a problem with discussion of police operations that are happening in real time and of identifying of individual police officers and vehicles. This information doesn't add much to the conversation and could potentially jeopardise police operations in progress. I thought people would naturally show restraint, most have but some haven't so I have to set rules.

Please everyone understand that what we hear on the scanner, especially on police frequencies, is private and in some cases confidential information.

I'm not out to kill discussion, far from it. I enjoy these forums as much as you all do. I'm just asking that we all take a moment to consider carefully what we are posting before we hit "submit". Ask yourself, does this need to be posted right now or can it wait a few days until the operation is over?

Smiffy, your right - It has gotten pretty quiet... I think we are all careful on what we post - especially me, cause i don't want to cheese anyone off..so maybe thats why.

But VK6 is right too - if we post after something has happened, then maybe others will add in what they heard as well.

I just think we should look at it from Gavin`s point of view..everytime one of us posts it is one more bit of disk space and bandwidth that must be provided by him. I still hit the site everyday and most days there is something new to read and im finding it a bit more user friendly. I may be a little selfish in this respect i suppose as i get to listen to my radio all day at work. Happy listening and keep on posting.

After some of the carry on here about what's appropriate and whats not appropriate to post I've come to the same conclusion as Mr G, better to be safe than sorry I guess...
As far as using Gavin's disk space and bandwidth, isn't that to be expected if you run a website? If he had a problem with that I'd think he would say something...

Jo

radiohead wrote: As far as using Gavin's disk space and bandwidth, isn't that to be expected if you run a website? If he had a problem with that I'd think he would say something...

Yep... no problem at all with that! (although it does use an astonishing amount of bandwidth!)

Hehe Thanks for sorting that out Gavin
How much bandwidth does it use..just out of curiousity
Jooo

I agree that you should not quote individual Police Officers names, as that is putting them at risk, however I don't see a problem mentioning vehicles involved as it is merely representing a particular police station.

Watching the nightly news, shows events happening via visual means... we are doing it by text. As long are you do not act on the information that you have heard or hinder what officers are doing, I think that it is safe to report matters heard over the scanner.

If the police did not want you to hear something, they would do it by mobile phones or other means.

Technically, tow ruck drivers and news camera operators are breaking the rules by acting on what they hear, but I think it is commonly accepted that they make a living by responding to these incidents.

Moral of the story...fine to report what is happening, just don't act on it!!.

Now thats a good point Smiffy...

Have people been quoting individual officers names on here? I've noticed a lot of editting to posts so maybe I missed it if they have..

I agree thats not on if its the case.
Jo

Smiffy wrote: Technically, tow ruck drivers and news camera operators are breaking the rules by acting on what they hear, but I think it is commonly accepted that they make a living by responding to these incidents.

TV stations have big lawyers that argue it was "in the public interest"

radiohead wrote: How much bandwidth does it use..just out of curiousity

About 1.2Gb/month. (That's outgoing! )

That's a fair bit per month

Lol @ big Lawyers...

I've not known in my experience (which I won't go into here) a TV network (or any media organisation) to be 'pinged' for using scanners or legal opinion toi be sought concerning their use. The police are well aware that a scanner is a widely-used tool in news gathering. Many newsroom chiefs of staff have routine telephone conversations with senior police with a scanner blaring away in the background. Senior police often visit newsrooms to 'meet and greet' reporters and the scanners are in clear view and no effort is made to hide them (or even turn them down).