Are FM transmitter kits illegal?

[SDARadio]

I don’t want to open a can of worms on the subject of the legality or non-legality of transmitters built from kits. I have read the discussions on that already.

I just have one question.

Are Part 15 FM kits illegal according to the FCC regs? The reason I ask is because I have found lots of commercial companies selling experimental FM transmitter kits. So I just started wondering if they are technically illegal or not. Anybody know what the legality status on FM kits is?

I don’t want to open a can of worms on the subject of the legality or non-legality of transmitters built from kits. I have read the discussions on that already.

I just have one question.

Are Part 15 FM kits illegal according to the FCC regs? The reason I ask is because I have found lots of commercial companies selling experimental FM transmitter kits. So I just started wondering if they are technically illegal or not. Anybody know what the legality status on FM kits is?

Like I said, I have read the discussions on transmitters built from kits so we don’t need to get that into that subject.
But my thinking is this, if FM kits are in the same category as AM kits, and there are big companies like Radio Shack selling FM transmitter kits, then it will give me more confidence that I won’t get in trouble for using an AM transmitter built from a kit.

If anybody has some knowledge on this it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Shawn Hoffman, CET
KLSA Radio 1610

[radio8z]

Hi Shawn,

If you have been reading the posts about this subject you know that this is a gray area. My opinion is that they are legal. Others will no doubt post with different opinions.

The reason people get into trouble is because they use antennas and power amplifiers on FM which result in greatly exceeding the field strength limits allowed by part 15 rules for FM or they grossly exceed the power limits for AM.

If you purchase a kit and operate so that your range is about 200 feet using a decent receiver on FM you will not be at risk as long as you don’t cause interference. AM range can be greater if you operate under part 15.219.

Neil

[kc8gpd]

for fm, i would not reccomment a kit. I recommend an x-file XFT-40 Type Certified Transmitter available for about $35.00 shipped from ebay. do a search for “FM Transmitters XM”. they have a FCC ID and as long as you don’t mod it you shouldn’t be messed with. or this here http://www.wholehousetransmitter.com Beware i can’t seem to verify an FCC ID for this transmitter. if any one can do so please post info here.

[Author]

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