I noticed that too, but as Tim mentioned it doesn't have any bearing on the legal use of the transmitter, so on the user end, all is well.
In light of the massive amount of non-legally assembled transmitters consistently being sold and readily on the open market, it doesn't appear the FCC is particularly concerned about enforcing it. But of course doesn't change the fact that it is indeed illegal to sell, and the seller is engaging in risky business.
It makes me wonder.. When a hobbyist decides to sell something like for example, their own used SStran on ebay.. they are the selling an assembled kit - What is the letter of the law on doing that?
I've acquired a lot of old time radio shows and I must say they sound great. Nice warm sound.
Of course I can't find the specific FCC rule quickly, but I have it here someplace..
Like most things, it comes down to intent. A guy who built one transmitter and later sold it as a used transmitter is not breaking the law.
Someone who regularly builds them and sells them is. If you're building it with the intent of sellling it, it's illegal. If you're building several and selling them, it's not only illegal but it's readily apparent.
The FCC rules clearly spell this out. Section 15.201 says:
"Although an operator does not have to obtain a license to use a Part 15 transmitter, the transmitter itself is required to have an FCC authorization before it can be legally marketed in the United States. This authorization requirement helps ensure that Part 15 transmitters comply with the Commission's technical standards and, thus, are capable of being operated with little potential for causing interference to authorized radio communications."
Also from the FCC:
"Hobbyists, inventors and other parties that design and build Part 15 transmitters with no intention of ever marketing them may construct and operate up to five such transmitters for their own personal use without having to obtain FCC equipment authorization. If possible, these transmitters should be tested for compliance with the Commission's rules. If such testing is not practicable, their designers and builders are required to employ good engineering practices in order to ensure compliance with the Part 15 standards.
Home-built transmitters, like all Part 15 transmitters, are not allowed to cause interference to licensed radio communications and must accept any interference that they receive. If a home-built Part 15 transmitter does cause interference to licensed radio communications, the Commission will require its operator to cease operation until the interference problem is corrected. Furthermore, if the Commission determines that the operator of such a transmitter has not attempted to ensure compliance with the Part 15 technical standards by employing good engineering practices then that operator may be fined up to $10,000 for each violation and $75,000 for a repeat or continuing violation.
Operating a prototype of a product that is ultimately intended for market is not considered "personal use." Thus, a party that designs and builds a transmitter with plans to mass produce and market a future version of it must obtain an experimental license from the FCC in order to operate the transmitter for any purpose other than testing for compliance with the Part 15 technical standards. Information on experimental licenses may be obtained from the contact point listed in the Additional Information section of this bulletin. FCC authorization is not required in order to test a transmitter for compliance with the Part 15 technical standards."
There's lots of good information at:
https://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet63/oet63rev.pdf
Since his ebay listing says 40 have been sold and three are available, it would be pretty obvious that these are being made for being sold. And those 40 would just apply to this specific listing.
But it DOES look like a VERY nice unit, and he can't be making a lot of money on these with those good parts and the labor involved.
Seems to me there's a legendary story of a antique radio guy building and selling SSTrans or some other similar kit and selling them to old time radio buffs who actually got busted.
Ah -- here's a long 10 year old thread about it at
Most of you have probably already read it. Interesting to note that apparently a maker of certified transmitters filed the complaint. I do not consider that unreasonable. Although many on that old thread do. AFter all, if someone selling certified transmitters went to the work and expense to have their units certified, why would they not be miffed at someone selling ready to use transmitters who didn't go to the trouble and expense to do it legally?
Anyway, FWIW. The guys work looks excellent and if I could come up with a reason to have another transmitter for playing around with, I'd be ordering one 🙂
TIB
Excellent info as always Tim.
Sliding slightly off topic to a differenr homebuilt tube transmitter.. You all might have seen this before, but I thought it was real cool.. The compleate description and build instructions are at http://www.radiomuseum.org/forum/hi_fi_am_transmitter.html
Ah, exactly. and this is where the FCC rules, that have the force of law, get a wee bit fuzzy.
Seems like the rule is a bit fuzzy on how much would need to be assembled. Even the SSTRAN comes with a few parts "assembled". So the guys with tubes just leave the tubes out of the sockets and the knobs off the case. Problem solved.
Interesting. While I was looking over the one mentioned above, I noticed ebay had inserted images/links to "other items I may be interested in" and one of those was a different tube AM transmitter:
OK, that link looks insane.. wonder if it will work?
Anyway, seems like both (but especially the second one) have some rules interpretation problems. They both mention a limit of 100 mw *output* (it's input, of course) and this second one claims a 5 meter antenna is OK. So it comes with an 18 footer! Or a 15 footer. Depending on which part of the description you're reading.
This second one sure looks like one of those vintage Allied units.
And this other seller also has this one:
Which is really nice looking. They come with a 25 year warranty! Wonder who takes over when he dies? Again, nothing certified -- so although it may be legal to use them, it's not legal to sell them.
TIB
Wow, Tim! I like those, especially the last one. Wonder how the range is compared to say, the Talking House...
I like the tube idea. And that last one is beautiful! I need to grab one before he quits selling them! I also wonder about antenna options...non-compliant options of course. Just for testing. I'd put up a 1/2 inch O.D. copper pipe for increased bandwidth.
Doug
Heathkit - Knightkit
I've been eyeballing these Tube Transmitters for awhile myself, that is a very sharp looking one Tim posted.
The range is admittedly not very good according to the sellers. I'd suspect with a good antenna setup they would likely be comparable to at least the SSTran 3K in coverage.
Tim is also correct in that these are technically illegal to sell, just like the SSTran, Ramsey, and Spitfire. Much like the ground lead issue, this is one that has historically been largely ignored. (Well, except the FCC actually HAS gone after a few of these kit and homebrew builders.)
I had looked at that sellers other tube transmitter last night, it's exactly the same transmitter but just in a different housing. I agree it's attractive.
I really love the way they look even if they
don't work very well.
I've owned phono oscillators and a carrier
current tube transmitter. The LPB RC-6A,
which I still have. This RC-6A has serious
problems. I suppose I could strip it and put
a phono oscillator in the case instead.
I'm not ready to do that yet, though. There
are still more things to try that might bring
it back to life.
Vacuum Tubes!
Brooce, Part 15 Hartford CT
[spam post deleted]
I agree with you Brooce, I just like the look of the tubes! It's kind of like my reel to reel tape deck.. there's an kind of romantic type feel to it.. I recall a big ole radio my dad had and probally still does, it was about the size of a portable tv set and dials on either side, and press down buttons running across the bottom kind of like square piano keys, and on the top right (maybe it was left) of the cloth face it had a green tube that would expand an contract in the shape of an upside down triangle in response to how well you had the station tuned in.
I loved that radio, I think it was german made.. Anyone know what radio I'm talking about?