# How to record cell phone conversations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578 "2002-05-30T17:52:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/1 "2002-05-30T17:52:56Z")
My girlfriend’s getting some nasty calls from an ex she has a restraining order against. The cops told her to record the calls, but didn’t say how. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/2 "2002-05-30T18:20:10Z")
The have it listed here, but link is now down…was up: [http://www.chicagospies.com/audio.shtml](http://www.chicagospies.com/audio.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/3 "2002-05-30T18:23:58Z")
first make sure that it’s legal in your jurisdiction (I don’t care that the cops told you to do so). IIRC, there was ‘some case’ in Maryland where we all discovered that it wasn’t legal to tape a phone conversation w/o the other persons knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/4 "2002-05-30T18:24:45Z")
Wireless Phone Recording Controller $19.99 Brand: RadioShack Cat.#: 17-855 Model: 17-855 Plugs into 2.5mm jack on your phone. On/off switch lets you pick which conversations to re… go here: > **[RadioShack.com Official Site - America's Technology Store](https://www.radioshack.com/?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_001_004_002_008&product_id=17-855)** > > The Shack Is Back! Shop Radios, Headphones, TV Antennas, Cables & Adapters, DIY Tools & Parts, Electronics Maker Kits, and much more brand new arrivals daily! Don't forget to visit any of our 450+ RadioShack locations across America! ---
**Author:** ![crawford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cab0a1/32.png) [@crawford](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crawford)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/5 "2002-05-30T19:19:31Z")
If your girlfriend is using one of the new, fancy cell phone / PDA like the [Nokia 9290](http://www.nokiausa.com/communicator/1,4990,%7CSRC-HM,00.html) or Handspring Treo, she could record the conversations to a digital file, which may be easier than carrying around a tape recorder. ---
**Author:** ![honkytonkwillie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@honkytonkwillie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/honkytonkwillie)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/6 "2002-05-31T07:01:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wring \* > \*\*first make sure that it’s legal in your jurisdiction (I don’t care that the cops told you to do so). IIRC, there was ‘some case’ in Maryland where we all discovered that it wasn’t legal to tape a phone conversation w/o the other persons knowledge. \*\* In my state, it is perfectly legal to record telphone conversations so long as at least **one** of the parties is aware it is being recorded. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/7 "2002-05-31T07:22:52Z")
which was my point **willie**. In some jurisdictions it’s ok as long as one person knows, but as (if you didn’t recognize the hint) Linda Tripp discovered, in her state, it was illegal for her to tape her calls with Monica Lewinsky. (though IIRC, the charges were eventually dropped) ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2002, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/8 "2002-06-01T05:57:41Z")
Girlfriend can tell the ex that she is now recording his tel. conversation. Ex can hang up or continue his diatribe. ---
**Author:** ![Dieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dieter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dieter)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2002, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/9 "2002-06-01T06:15:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wring \* > \*\*first make sure that it’s legal in your jurisdiction (I don’t care that the cops told you to do so). IIRC, there was ‘some case’ in Maryland where we all discovered that it wasn’t legal to tape a phone conversation w/o the other persons knowledge. \*\* > **[Taping constitutes 'interception' of call, court finds - The Reporters...](https://www.rcfp.org/taping-constitutes-interception-call-court-finds/)** > > Taping constitutes þinterception' of call, court finds 01/11/99 > NEVADA--In early December, a divided state Supreme Court in Carson City held that Nevada's wiretapping statute requires that an individual obtain the consent of all parties before... ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2002, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/10 "2002-06-01T13:17:29Z")
Ummm…why is she even answering his calls on her cell if he is calling and harassing her? Doesn’t practically every modern cell phone have a caller ID feature built in? If he sets his phone to block caller ID that would also be a giveaway and she could screen his call out before she picks up. ---
**Author:** ![Anal\_Scurvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c57346/32.png) [@Anal\_Scurvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anal_Scurvy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2002, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/11 "2002-06-02T22:14:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Ummm…why is she even answering his calls on her cell if he is calling and harassing her? \*\* Because then he won’t come knocking on her door to talk when she’s alone. Thank you all kindly for your help, we’re looking into the products mentioned. Very much appreicated. ---
**Author:** ![emolson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5fc32e/32.png) [@emolson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emolson)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-record-cell-phone-conversations/111578/12 "2002-06-03T04:50:26Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Philster \* \*\*Wireless Phone Recording Controller $19.99 Brand: RadioShack Cat.#: 17-855 Model: 17-855 Plugs into 2.5mm jack on your phone. On/off switch lets you pick which conversations to re… RS also used to sell a suction-cup microphone which could be attached to a phone and plugged into any recorder with a 1/8" jack. (That’s how I used it.) Also, many answering machines have a ‘record’ button.