In addition to being a TSO, I am also a HAM radio operator. I reviewed all of the current directives concerning electronics and there is nothing on a national basis forbiding either HAM radios or other types of electronics. Sure, there are regulations forbiding the USE (transmitting) of HAM radios onboard aircraft, but posession should not be a problem.

Sounds to me like there was either some local regulation that the supervisor was enforcing, he goofed and forbid a legal device, or we dont have the whole story.

TSORon