Thanks Rich, So even in the USA, technically, you can't use a kit whether it be EDM or Ramsey or SStran etc., unless first obtaining an FCC certificate, just like here(Canada). Unless you build it yourself for your own use and not more than 5 of them.
So, the EDM, kit or not is no more legal than the CZH Chinese ones.
But they(EDM) think that by you having to solder the power jack on that makes it OK?
Yes Artisan....just get a Decade and your fine...no worries.
Oh yes as I posted in a past post. I, a while ago contacted Industry Canada and asked about kits with a email response and a knowledgable person explained that any transmitter kit or not, and was familiar with all the transmitters we are talking about, needs IC authorization and a certificate. And if ever inspected you could be told you have to get it approved to keep using it.
But I bring up the little toy transmitters that get your MP3 to your car radio which have only a FCC ID not a RSS-210 ID?
Mark
I'll take the FCC's interpretation of the rules (as published on the Rangemaster's website) over anyone else's. ...
As I recall, the clip referred to on the Rangemaster website includes/included nothing proving that it originated at the FCC -- no FCC author, and no FCC link(s) to support that "interpretation."
The language in the clips from the FCC Rules included in Reply 42 is clear and unambiguous, needing no interpretation.
This reality needs to be recognized and understood.
What is a kit, but a bunch of parts, a PCB, and instructions/schematics?
If you go and buy a bunch of parts at GigaParts, or a blank PCB, are they going to be fined for contributing to the potential building of a unauthorized transmitter?
And are all the plans/schematics/instructions/PCB etchings, etc. that are up on the Internet to be taken down because they might contribute to the building of an unauthorized transmitter?
The reality is, Rich, that the FCC is allowing kits to be marketed and built. To date they have ONLY gone after those who have taken kits, built them and then sold them as assembled transmitters. The rules there are clear, both in words and historic action - you can't do that.
I prefer to consider a kit to be under the umbrella of a homebrew transmitter, which is allowed. You might not. Again, the FCC has the ultimate say, regardless of anybody's, including yours, interpretation of the rules. If, or when, they stop SSTran, or any of the other kit marketers from selling their wares, then we will have a clearer understanding of what the FCC intended.
Every now and then a highway patrol officer lets a car go buy at 75 MPH in a 65 zone. This does not change the speed limit.
The law says kits cannot be marketed in the USA. That's clear. The fact that they are available doesn't make them legal.
Not any more than that transmitters sold that are over the legal limit, certified or not are also legal, simply because they're still on the market.
I didn't follow closely enough -- are the laws quoted applicable only to FM transmitters? As places like "Tubes and More" (used to be Antique Eletronics Supply) have been selling one tube AM transmitter kits for decades. And there are also many educational project kits aimer at kids that generally include an AM transmitter as well. Would these not all be illegal as well?
As for the EDM you really have to wonder what constitutes a kit. Insert IC. Solder power jack. Done. That's hardly a kit.
If you're building an amateur built experimental aircraft (e.g. a "homebuilt") whether from a kit or from scratch, you have to prove that at least 51% of the construction was done by the builder. Kits have to be FAA certified to meet this rule. Builders are expected to keep an accurate log of construction that includes photos of the build through the process, for the FAA to look at before issuing an airworthiness certificate. Obviously little transmitters aren't worthy of this scrutiny because lives are not at stake. But still. There's the 51% rule.
The EDM you're not doing 1%.
TIB
Tim, I just believe that the rules are contradictory.
You're allowed to have homebuilt transmitters. Just what is the end result of a kit but a homebuilt transmitter?
And yet you're not allowed to market a kit, which again, is really just a bunch of parts and instructions? That's what you start with when embarking on home building electronics, regardless of the source.
The letter of the law is interfering with the spirit. That's why there's not a single instance of the FCC going after ANY true kit marketers. They'll go after those who sell assembled kits, but that's it. This is not an 'every now and then...'.
Perhaps those words are in the rules to get around the thorny issue of what exactly is a kit, and what is a bunch of parts and adhering to the spirit of homebuilt (it's there for experimentation purposes). They could use that clause to stop the EDM, as an example, even though technically you could say that it is a kit. Otherwise, they'll leave things alone.
You know, I've never seen anything on carrier current or leaky coax in Industry Canada's documents.....good question!....ARTISAN?
Like I said if you wanted to move here WELCOME and to Thelegacy too.
Mark
seriously I have thought about it. More Album Rockers there too.
Multiple BETS relays would do nice too.
The USA Will be a ghetto soon and full of helter skelter.
Clip from Reply 50:
... The letter of the law is interfering with the spirit. ...
Or does one's "spirit" interfere/conflict with the letter of the law?
What is that supposed to mean it is one in the same.
Kits have long been given a pass by the FCC going all the way back to the 50s.
That Ground Lead rule sure killed MY spirit! Put a kiBOSH on quite a few AMers as well....
Doug
... That Ground Lead rule sure killed MY spirit! Put a kiBOSH on quite a few AMers as well.
For those who may have missed the many previous discussions of this subject over the years ...
Including the length of the "ground" conductor(s) connecting the transmitter chassis to a REAL r-f ground is appropriate as a matter of physics to help limit the interference potential of unlicensed AM transmit systems allowed by FCC Part 15.
A REAL r-f ground does not exist at the top of any exposed vertical conductors or structures such as grounded towers, flagpoles, billboard steel etc.
Some proponents of unlicensed "Part 15" AM systems have promoted a belief that using such long, radiating "ground" conductors is perfectly legal.
The problem and risk with this perception is the lack of understanding that a short "ground lead" of an elevated transmit system is NOT the only radiating conductor in that path to a true r-f ground.
Such perceptions/practices have produced FCC NOUOs to some operators.
What about the shield of an audio cable it radiates? Well long cables could technically break 15:219 for unlicensed AM Broadcasting no?
If so a Bluetooth STL would be a solution for feeding the transmitter.
The topic of this thread (even though the title doesn't reflect it) is kits.
Please stay on topic - if yet another discussion on ground leads is felt necessary, please move it to a separate thread.
Strange. Artisan, you never said a WORD about the "topic" in MY SpitFire thread. Hmmm...OK.
On TOPIC...(a-HEM)...
The first complaint was issued On Jan. 8, 2015, but it took some time before the station operator was identified as Nelson Quintanilla...owned the transmission site.
Because the commission warned Quintanilla both verbally and in writing that unlicensed operations on 95.1 MHz from the transmission site were unlawful and was ignored in all cases, FCC...determined that Quintanilla is apparently liable for a forfeiture of $25,000. He has 30 days to respond or pay the fine.
What if he doesn't? I have never heard of a Pirate doing ONE DAY of jail time due to non-payment of these ridiculous fines...in fact, I'd laugh at them!
Doug