Lets talk about radar/laser detectors

It's a moot point for me, here in Virginia. Radar detectors are illegal. :(

And I bet the first time that state law were to be challenged by the Federal law that says states and local municipalities shall not interfere with the right of a lawful citizen to erect antennas to receive the airwaves, the airwaves belong to the people; havoc would be wreaked!

It has been this way for years and years here, as in DC. They recently overturned the gun ban in DC so maybe the detector ban is next. I'm not holding my breath through. ;)

Well there is an federal law that ham operators can use if neighborhood covenants prevent you from putting up an antenna. It also covers TV and satellite antennas as well, it *might* be able to be used on the detector law as well.

I don't want to speed bad enough to spend a small fortune on attorney's fees to bring it to court.

From what I've read on the subject, if you put up an antenna and your local civic pres tells you to remove it, you give him/the volunteer lawyer a copy of the law and they drop it. LOL

...and if they don't? The tab starts running and you may not be able to stop it. ;)

It's been challenged in the past.

Essentially it comes down to, yes, it's legal to have antenna to receive the airwaves, but it is not legal to use a device to avoid compliance with the law. Much in the same way there is a difference between avoiding and evading the payment of taxes. Or that it is legal to sell or buy a switchblade (in many jurisdictions) but not legal to carry or use one.... unless you happen to have only one arm, which, in many jurisdictions is an exception to the law.

So, while it may be legal to own a detector, it may not be legal to use one. And simply having one displayed, under the law, shows both the intent and the ability to use one to avoid compliance with the law. Avoidance of compliance IS a crime.

The HAM law is good until, the tower height exceeds local ordinance restrictions, or the signals interfer with the neighbors reception.

Likely, it would not work re detectors. I have seen it work with regard to cable signals. You can't tap into a cable system to steal the programming, however, you can build an antenna out of a coffee can and some Radio Shack parts which will pick up the eminations which pass from the cable to the airwaves.

Yeah I can see that.