Scanners
Back in the late 80s when mobile phones were the size of bricks and a rarity, we had a scanner. Mostly we could listen to the police broadcasts on their car twoways, get reports of ‘car vs tree’ or ‘motorcycle vs car’, (I think they had a secure frequency for really important stuff), but it would also pick up mobile phones. Two conversations have stuck in my memory for retelling over the years........

Husband: Hi Honey, I’m going to be late home tonight.
Wife: Awwww, why?
H: Have to drop in to see a client, don’t know how long I’ll be, I’m on my way there now.
W: Why do you always have to see them after work, I hardly see you anymore (kid crying in background)
H: Well, I can’t help it, I’ll make it up to you later
W: yeah, sure.
H: ok, gotta go, I’ll see you when I get home, don’t wait up. Bye.
W: Seeya.
Phone call ends.

We then press the button to scan again. Off it goes and settles on another frequency. We hear ringing tone.

Ring, ring.
Woman: Hello?
Man: Hi baby, I’m on my way.
(Hmmmmm. Man sounds suspiciously like the man we just heard on the phone to his wife. No. Can’t be, can it?)
Woman: Ooooh, what did you tell her?
Man: Told her I was seeing a client, and not to wait up.
Woman: Fantastic, how far away are you.
Man: Not far, I’ll be there in 5.
Woman: ok honey, see you soon.
Man: Seeya. Bye.

I must admit, the wife sounded a bit common variety lower class type, and the girlfriend sounded delightful. So I probably don’t blame him. But it’s still WRONG, OK!
Never heard anything else as juicy as that. Would love to be able to do it today. The frequencies (or whatever technical terminology it is) were different then. Ahh, the good old days.
(Monkee girl not a monkee, not a girl, Fri 26 Aug 2011, 8:02, 6 replies)

Did you by chance
Work for News Of The World?
( difficultchild, Fri 26 Aug 2011, 8:10, closed)

"I must admit, the wife sounded a bit common variety lower class type, and the girlfriend sounded delightful. So I probably don’t blame him."
It's okay to cheat on your wife if she's poor?!
(McChinaman banned, Fri 26 Aug 2011, 8:49, closed)

No, not poor.
Poor and obviously working class. Bohemian student types still count. Grrr.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Fri 26 Aug 2011, 13:27, closed)

I had one of these. One of Tandy's finest.
I recall showing it off to my mum, only for it to jump frequencies and land on

"...he said it's pubic lice..."

I was about 8 at the time and, as my mother's reaction intrigued me, a trip to the library soon followed...
(dxg, Fri 26 Aug 2011, 8:57, closed)

Hah!
Reminds me of when I read Spike Milligan's amusing wartime memoirs at about 14 and therein read of 'crabs' for the first time. I naturally asked my mother what they were but she wouldn't tell me. I had no idea at all.

I too tried the library and various dictionaries, to no avail. Eventually I mentioned it to a mate and she explained it to me. Being all of 15, she knew EVERYTHING.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Fri 26 Aug 2011, 9:22, closed)

I didn't think you could do this ...
Unless you had two scanners since TACS mobile phones were only half Duplex. They Tx and Rx on different frequencies.
(karnuvap, Mon 29 Aug 2011, 19:59, closed)