Lancaster Municipal Code Ch. 9.28 Shortwave Radio Receiver Regulations

As used in this chapter, "shortwave radio receiver" means and includes any radio receiver or other device capable of receiving messages or communications transmitted on any radio transmission station operating on a frequency between one thousand six hundred (1,600) kilocycles and two thousand five hundred (2,500) kilocycles, or on a frequency between thirty (30) megacycles and forty (40) megacycles, or between one hundred fifty (150) megacycles and one hundred sixty (160) megacycles.

(Prior code § 4-1.27)

Except as provided in Section 9.28.050, every person who, without obtaining a permit from the sheriff or from the forester and fire warden authorizing him to do so, equips any vehicle with, or operates any vehicle equipped with, a shortwave radio receiver is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Prior code § 4-1.28)

The forester and fire warden may issue permits for equipment of vehicles with shortwave radio receivers which can receive messages broadcast by the forester and fire warden, and for the operation of vehicles so equipped in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by him, if he finds as a fact that the operation of such vehicle so equipped will be of material aid to the forester and fire warden in the performance of his duties.

(Prior code § 4-1.29)

The sheriff may issue permits for equipment of vehicles with shortwave radio receivers other than those described in this section and for the operation of vehicles so equipped in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by him, if he finds as a fact that the operation of such vehicle so equipped will be of material aid to the sheriff in the enforcement of the laws of the state or the ordinances of this city.

(Prior code § 4-1.30)

The provisions of Section 9.28.030 do not apply to:

A. A vehicle owned or operated by the United States, the state of California, any county, city and county, or municipality of this state, or any subdivision agency, or instrumentality of the foregoing if the department head or other governmental officer in responsible control over the operation of such vehicle has expressly ordered, authorized or approved the use of a shortwave radio receiver therein.

B. Any vehicle owned or operated by a person or association of persons licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate a fixed or mobile shortwave transmission station, one of the authorized purposes of which is to communicate, by radio with such vehicle or with other vehicles owned or operated by such person or association. The owner of such vehicle coming within the foregoing exemption shall inform the sheriff of such use and give him the license number of the vehicle. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor.

C. Mobile telephone equipment for use in conjunction with communication service furnished by public utilities under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission of the state of California or the Federal Communications Commission.

(Prior code § 4-1.31)

Every person who intercepts, overhears or receives any message or communication transmitted by any radio transmission station operating upon a wavelength or radio frequency assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for use by any police or law enforcement department or county forester and fire warden, and who, for the financial benefit of himself or another, communicates such message or communication to another or directly or indirectly uses the information so obtained is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Prior code § 4-1.32)

Every violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Prior code § 4-1.33)