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<b>Good Statement from the FCC but…excludes Kits which OET (Office Of Engineering And Technology) 63’s bulletin clearly deems legal so long as:</b>
1. It meets part 15:219 of the rules which is 100mW input to the final of the transmitter.
2. The Antenna system must not exceed 3 meters in length (supposed to mean ground leads and transition line into the antenna included).
3. If you don’t go by 15:219 you can go by 15:209 which like FM goes by field strength and not power limits into the final or antenna length (This is where some transmitters that use to be sold alongside their antennas which were overr the 3 meter limit but due to other factors did not exceed the field strength rule for 15:209.
3. Carrier Current transitions are allowed under 15:209 but you must have an Potomac FIM 41 (or rent) in order to know for sure your at those levels. The rule says 15000/frequency (Hope i have that right).
Why is the FCC not excluding kits when talking about legality of unlicensed operation? why the sudden failure to include this?
I’m not at all at ease with this for I have had many people try to intrap me on this clause and some say I”m operating illegally since I’m running a Sean Cuthbert C-Quam AM Transmitter as I’ve been banging a hard selling C-Quam AM revitalization campaign. And Sean Cuthbert himself has stated on Invite Elite forums only that he has been harassed by want to be Radio Cops as he calls them.
Will we always be harassed for using kits? Will we be ordered to shut down by a agent not well trained about OET 63? I know the agent I talked to really talked to me about transmitters that had that sticker. The kits do NOT and furthermore there was a bulletin (wish I could find the link again) stating that a certified transmitter does not always have to have the label on it which didn’t make any sense what so ever unless it was referring to the kit.
Remembering the days of the Radio Shack kits there was a statement in the book that came with the AM transmitter kit stating that if assembled as instructed it met all of the rules for Nu License Required part 15. Remember the Walkie-Talkies that had the book saying No license required part 15? Anyway Sean’s does say in the book about part 15 and how it must be constructed in order to not break those rules.
<b>We must see what can of worms all of the Radio Policing by individuals has caused!</b>
Ramsey, SStran, and a few others have suddenly pulled their transmitter kits this is only the beginning of the aftermath caused by websites owned by citizens who think they have that badge to become a self proclaimed Radio Cop. And now the story continues.
Here’s the thing about kits.
If the rule is field strength it’s easy for an agent to check for compliance.
But if the rule is 100mW into the final amp. and the transmitter isn’t certified the inspecting agent has no way of knowing if the transmitter meets that and only has the word of the kit maker or manufacturer. The agent won’t bring a tech person to take apart your transmitter and take measurements to see if it’s actually 100mW into the final so that’s why a certified transmitter. Even your agents said use a certified transmitter. If it was 100mW at the output it would be a lot easier to determine compliance. How did they come up with “into the final” anyway?
Don’t forget that anyone can buy and use the Sean Cuthbert transmitter whether electronically knowlegable or not going by the word of him that it’s legal.
If you get the certified ones like the Procaster, Rangemaster, Talking house, etc they have the approval it meets the rules. That’s the safest way to go.
As for Ramsey and SStran you don’t know for sure why they closed and are assuming things. Could have been economic, retiring etc. Heathkit closed also and for probably economic reasons.
You can’t assume unless you have some evidence of the truth and just say it was “radio police” from other forums.
Hearsay & Other Indefinite info
Mark correctly points out: “As for Ramsey and SStran you don’t know for sure why they closed.”
That is a fact.
I think Ramsey may have stated that they were dropping kits because they weren’t selling but I’m not positive, which makes it a “best guess”.
No explanation at all has been heard about the closing of SSTran and no one’s Email inquiries have received a reply.
I do think I know why the Radio Sheriff attacks kits. Maybe someone else will figure it out and tell us the reason.
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