In Reply to: Re: Rado scanner posted by Radio active on December 03, 2004 at 03:27:08:

If you read the Wireless telegraphy it is illegal to posses (regardless of what you listen to on it) any apparatus for wireless telegraphy (i.e. a transmitter, reciever) unless
1) One has a licence issued by COMREG (or the Post Office in the case of a TV set)
or
2) The minister has issued an exemption order covering that class of aparatus

Currently there are exemption orders in force covering
1) "Any apparatus designed SOLELY for recieving sound (but not visual images) from a broadcasting station" (A Bog standard radio in other words)
2) CB radio (only on certain frequencies and with limited power and restrictions on usage)
3) Certain types of remore control (e.g. Keyfob locking systems for cars)
4) Mobile Phones (Subject to the terms and conditions imposed by 02 Vodafone or Meteor)
5) Certain specified low power devices (Some types of cordless phone, Wireless LAN's, PMR446 Walkie Talkies, 2.45GHz videosenders, Some types of Cordless microphones/Headphones, Security Systems, Medical Alert Pendents, Bluetooth devices etc etc)

The law in Ireland (unlike the UK mainland) doesnt make it illegal to listen to things like police radio transmissions only to posses equipment for doing so. (Interestingly in the USA it is perfectly legal to listen to police radio as long as you dont do so in your car)

As for discones yes they can be used for transmitting (although theyre not partuicularly good at it) They can also be used by birds to perch on but the overwhelming majority of them are sold for use by radio scanning enthsiasts