by Well These types of notices usually mean some forth coming action from
the FCC, we'll see if they tell the manufacturers to stop making the HF
amateur radios capable of being opened up for all band TX.
This may be the start of new enforcement action to control illegal
operation of amateur equipment.
PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055462882
News media information 202/418-0500.
Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222.
May 13, 1996
Extended Coverage High Frequency Transceivers
The purpose of this Public Notice is to clarify the Commission's
Rules regarding equipment
that is intended to operate in various radio services in the high
frequency radio spectrum, including
"10-Meter" Amateur Radio Service (ARS) equipment.
The Commission has noted that a number of transceivers imported as
ARS equipment are
also capable of transmitting and are being operated in nearby frequency
bands allocated to other
radio services such as the Private Land Mobile Radio Services, Maritime
Services, Auxiliary
Broadcast Services, International Broadcasting Services, the Citizens Band
Radio Service, and the
U.S. Government. Operation of this equipment causes interference to the
authorized users of
these frequencies. Some of these transceivers are capable of using output
powers or emission
types which are not permitted for the radio services listed above and some
are capable of
transmitting in the radio astronomy band where no two-way
radiocommunication is permitted.
Some manufacturers are promoting the sale of conversion kits, or have
designed their transceivers
such that they can easily be modified by the users, to extend the
operating frequency range into
the frequency bands listed above. In addition, so called "export" radios
which are deliberately
designed to facilitate this capability are also being imported and
marketed.
Manufacturers, importers, vendors and users of these transceivers
are reminded that
transmitters intended for operation on frequencies allocated to any of the
FCC authorized radio
services listed above, except the ARS, must be type accepted by the
Commission for the particular
radio service(s) in which they are intended to operate prior to their
importation, marketing or use.
The Commission considers that the transceivers discussed above are
intended to be operated on
frequencies where the use of type accepted equipment is required, because
of the simplicity of
modifying them to extend their operating frequency range. Transmitters
designed and intended for
use only in the ARS must comply with the applicable technical standards
contained in Part 97 of
the Commission's Rules but are not required to be type accepted.
It is a violation of the Commission's regulations to: (1) import or
market a transmitter that is
designed or intended to operate on frequencies outside of the ARS bands,
if it has not been issued
a grant of equipment authorization for the radio service(s) in which the
transmitter is capable of
operating; (2) import, market or operate a transmitter that requires a
grant of equipment
authorization but for which no grant has been issued; or, (3) transmit on
a frequency allocated to a
licensed radio service without the appropriate Commission-issued station
license. Violation of the
Commission's regulations will subject manufacturers, importers, vendors
and users of this
equipment to appropriate criminal penalties as provided for by federal
law(s), including fines and/or
imprisonment. In addition, the equipment described above can be seized
by, and forfeited to, the
government.
For further information concerning this Public Notice, contact Gary
Hendrickson at the FCC
Laboratory, 7435-A Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, Md. 21046, (301)
725-1585, Extension 223, or