L. P. Ryan / Low Power Radio cited by FCC for selling pre-built AMT 3000

[murphmac]

This REALLY gets to me. This man is being fined while right here in NYC, there are hundreds of "high" powered pirates broadcasting in all languages and interfering with licensed stations - AND THEY DON'T CARE. It's very clear to me that the FCC really doesn't quite make any sense!!! There priorities are all over the place!! I hate to see innocent people hurt for really no reason.


MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

Murphmac

 

[Timewarp]

Burns my butt too! If he had just not put it in the case. If he had just left the buttons off, it would still
be a kit. A poor disabled guy on SSI tries to make a few bucks to help himself while helping others
with their kits.
He is then fined more than one years worth of his SSI income.
If people in the low power cuase keep up this ratfinking backstabbing behavior, expect to
lose the support of many like me! And, it will matter!

 

[XRQKFM]

The moron at Hamilton Rangemaster; just cost himself a loyal customer and promoter of his products, He disgust me! I brought that fool more business than he will ever know. Hamilton you remind me of Martin of the FCC in tights.
What Goes Around Comes Around!


Steve
www.radiobrandy.com

 

[Hamilton]

I think this happened a long time ago, generally I try to leave legal stuff alone but here is the certification requirement law:

Section 15.201 Equipment authorization requirement.
(a) Intentional radiators operated as carrier current systems, devices operated under the
provisions of §§ 15.211, 15.213 and 15.221, and devices operating below 490 kHz in which all emissions
are at least 40 dB below the limits in Section 15.209 shall be verified pursuant to the procedures in
Subpart J of Part 2 of this Chapter prior to marketing.
(b) Except as otherwise exempted in paragraph (c) of this Section and in Section 15.23 of this
Part, all intentional radiators operating under the provisions of this Part shall be certificated by the
Commission pursuant to the procedures in Subpart J of Part 2 of this Chapter prior to marketing.

Like I said this was a long time ago, I don’t have any record of any complaint made by myself to the FCC but I do remember a customer reporting the Ryan website to me, asking how Ryan could sell transmitters without certification. Seeing how that is a pretty blatant law violation it is very possible I did say something. I recall it appeared there was a big (bad guy) company breaking the law in a big way. Actually about the same time I recall there was another company a customer told me about that was taking out full page ads,, they would advertise a legal Part 15 FM, and ship you a high powered FM transmitter. I considered both Ryan and that company at about the same level of a problem.
I had no idea at the time that (apparently) Ryan is very small, disabled, retired, poor, ect, and such that seems to be generating so much hatred for myself. I have even been getting personal threats. (Makes the hobby side business much fun)
I think we need to be making an effort here to be legal and present ourselves as such. Gray areas in vague laws are one thing but selling illegal transmitters is serious. In some states I believe there is a possible jail term. We need to at least pretend we care about being legal here, as other posters have noted, the FCC reads these posts.
I don’t care about turf, I don’t operate that way. This is supposed to be the business I do for fun, not for blood. I really did at the time perceive the two companies as problems for the industry.

Also note that any FCC complaint was a long time ago, it takes them a great deal of time to do anything. Generally these days my policy was to leave everything alone. If I wanted to try to move on turf I would try to create a battle about the kit laws, I have never done that. If anyone who knows what they are doing sits down and reads part 15 related kit laws you will see what I mean.

Even the mob subversion that is shown here (everyone jumping on the bandwagon to basically crucify without trial a perceived snitch) I think could be cause for the FCC to take a new look at what is going on with this Part 15 thing.

Another thing, it seems apparent that Ryan was not exactly fully cooperating with the FCC, it is not typical for you just to get a fine from them in your mailbox one day. I don’t know for sure, but I think he was pressing his luck, even after first communications were received.

So in conclusion, I’m sorry if any very poor person was hurt by anything I did. I have offered to consult with Ryan and help him out as much as I can. I have written a letter to the FCC asking that consideration be given to Ryan circumstances.

 

[Jeff Steinman]

First off I would like to say that Mr. Ryan does not sell illegal transmitters as Mr. Hamilton stated.
The AMT3000 kit is a perfectly legal transmitter when assembled according to the directions.

The rules do state however that no one is allowed to manufacture transmitters unless they is certified. But wait! The AMT3000 is only available as a kit, it cannot be certified and kits are exempt from certification according to the rules.

All Mr. Ryan did was offer an alternative. He would simply build you the kit, or offer an assembled version of the kit. I even bought one from him because there is no way I could have assembled it.

Note that the FCC rules doesn't state anything about kit assembly nor does it state who can and who cannot build transmitter kits, for hire or for free.

Now Mr. Hamilton, don't go off about the AMT3000 transmitter could interfere with space shuttles and make them crash as you did on other posts. It doesn't and you know it.
Mr. Hamilton also complained to the FCC about Rich Mann who runs the http://www.oldtimeradioprograms.com site. Click on the transmitter link and you will see what Mr. Mann has to say.
Anyone can submit to the FCC a request for a copy of these complaint's.

And finally, the reason Mr. Hamilton doesn't remember about the complaints is because he filed so many of them!

- Jeff

 

[Hamilton]

I don’t know why Steinman seems to have it personally in for me, he is one that has threatened me directly. I was not responding to him on the other board but to prevent disinformation

Mr Ryan WAS selling illegal transmitters, at least the FCC seemed to think so. And more so then that there is no question they were illegal, though Steinman tries to talk around it. His opinion about the legality doesn’t mean beans. No, I don’t go around complaining, I don’t even remember filing any complaints. He doesn’t mention that all this was quite some time ago.
Actually the rules do not say that kits for this band are exempt, the FCC just appears to be allowing them right now.
This is supposed to be a fun hobby, when it comes to offering to personally wipe people out, it just doesn’t stay fun anymore.

 

[Dr_Johnnie_Fever]

This REALLY gets to me. This man is being fined while right here in NYC, there are hundreds of "high" powered pirates broadcasting in all languages and interfering with licensed stations - AND THEY DON'T CARE. It's very clear to me that the FCC really doesn't quite make any sense!!! There priorities are all over the place!! I hate to see innocent people hurt for really no reason.


MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

Murphmac

They won't touch the immigrant pirates because they will need an army to shut them off. those guys will kill the FCC agents, and their families and any one who dares to stand in their way.

Think MS13 running a pirate station.

some of these immigrant gangs are extremely ruthless bunch. The Russians and Latinos come to mind as some of the more brazen groups.

watch DTime and Doc Channels. these immigrant gangs run the supermax prisons and control there outside empires from the inside.

when they figure out who's running the station and figure out whether or not the agents have to worry about retribution, then they either go get them or leave them alone if the FCC agents think there will retaliation.

 

[Jeff Steinman]

No Mr. Hamilton I did not e-mail you a threat. I e-mailed you a rant. There is a big difference. It would be stupid to e-mail a threat to anyone in this day and age.
I told you my personal feelings about hurting a disabled man and how evil you were in doing so and that your business will probably be washed up on account of it.
I sent you the rant e-mail after learning what you did to Mr. Ryan and others on another forum.

Why am I defending Mr. Ryan you may ask?
The answer is because I don't like to see people being hurt, especially when they are
disabled and defenseless.

- Jeff

 

[XRQKFM]

What really ticks me off about Hamilton is that Ryan was mainly marketing to people with antique AM only radios not the Part 15 AM broadcasting market. Hamilton will never see another dollar from me or any of our affiliates. Hamilton Rangemasters have been banned for use by our affliates until further notice.
I got a few emails from affliates agreeing to the band, and other non affliate broadcasters agree. Nobody likes a snitch, Hamilton posted on another site he turned Ryan and others end.
Hamilton the business you will loose from you actions will be far greater than any business you may have lost the kit builders. From us alone it will cost you twelve planned and budgeted orders for a small western town in California. Yes we won the bid to build the system but the town has agreed to put the project on hold to send a message.
Hamilton you may have a great product, but your actions leave a bad taste in our mouths.

Steve
www.radiobrandy.com

 

[Hamilton]

What bothers me is when the unsuspecting public is taken in by these operators. People will buy a transmitter from them seeing the “part 15 compliant” label, thinking they are legal, when in fact they are not. In fact in some states there is potential jail time for operating an illegal transmitter. These poor folks think they are alright until the FCC or police comes knocking.

That is what bothers me, and generally if I hear of or see someone selling illegal transmitters I will say something, though that was the only time I ever did .

I had a customer fall into the situation where he had bought one of these illegal transmitters and thought he was legal.

If people want to think am trying to increase business, then whatever, I can’t control what people think. I think if that was all out to do that would be a small fry move. When I spoke to the FCC about these illegal transmitter manufacturers I felt like I was doing the right thing, basically trying to help folks.

 

[Hamilton]

Here was my situation, I had no idea all this mess was happening, I am checking my e-mail and get something from a Jeff Steinman who I don’t know from Adam. Subject:

“Hamilton Your Finished!”

What was I to think? There are a lot of nuts out there.

He said:

“All I can say is that when you go around hurting people, be prepared to expect the same.”

I had no idea what he meant, was he coming to injure me and/or my family?

 

[Hamilton]

Steve at radio Brandy,
I’m sorry you’re unhappy but it is what it is. Selling illegal transmitters for any purpose is illegal.

I wonder what level of law breaking the folks here would have to witness before they would report anything, the consensus seems to be “anti-law” or “rebel”

Maybe the issue is that people just don’t realize what a big deal it is to sell illegal transmitters, and/or operate pirate transmitters. It would seem “who is it hurting? So “whatever”
Say that when you have a family member that is injured and the city can’t dispatch an ambulance because some yo-ho had hosed up emergency services with his illegal transmitter. Then the cries of violation would start to be heard. Then the FCC would be crucified because they did nothing to protect the airwaves.
This has been happening, that is why the potential jail time exists in some states for operating an illegal transmitter.

 

[RadioMan203]

Mind if I chime in here?

I have to say I feel sorry for Mr. Ryan and his situation, but you have to look at this strictly from a legal point of issue. According to the current laws, he is indeed outside of the ruling and thereby breaking the law. If he was smart, he would have assembled the units up to a point and perhaps provided sockets for the end user to "... complete the kit" (by plugging in IC's, etc) so they were only partially assembled. I don't think there's a firm definition of what constitutes a "kit" - leaving it at a point where the unit is not operational without using interaction like installing socketed components may have been a point that would have helped his case.

Also, any sort of labeling of Part 15 "compliance" would be questionable without any sort of way to confirm this. I doubt the FCC issues any sort of paperwork for "compliance" except when products are specifically submitted for certification. I know I'm ordering some Hamilton product for a school radio station I'm building and the last thing I need are the feds coming down on the school for having a device of alleged "compliance" instead of something that's Part 15 certified. I know of many others who own the Rangemaster and to me it's worth the money to have the certification proof instead of being open to harassment by other broadcasters or even pirates.

 

[Jeff Steinman]

This is the exact "rant" message I e-mailed Mr. Hamilton:

Subject: Hamilton Your Finished!

Hamilton,

There is a lot of bashing going on about you on the old time radio forums.
It was bad enough that you picked on Rich Mann but attacking Liam Ryan a poor disabled man was the lowest of the low's. They are pissed.
You know these guys did in no way try to compete with you. All the did was build kits for people who wanted to listen to otr shows. All I can say is that when you go around hurting people, be prepared to expect the same.


The Subject: "Hamilton Your Finished" Simply meant that your business is washed up. No threat, just rant.

The Sentance: "All I can say is that when you go around hurting people, be prepared to expect the same." Meaning: "What Goes Around, Comes Around." Not a threat, just a rant.

- Jeff

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Guys! The loophole in the rules that allows you to broadcast more than 300 feet with part 15
AM is a provision that was made for KIT BUILDERS. My source on this is the former Engineer
In Charge of the Chicago FCC Field Office. Eliminate Kit Builders and you may limit yourselves
to 300 feet of range. So, stop the infighting.
Low power radio is winning the hearts of some powerful people and the American public. This
kind of thing could destroy that.

 

[Jeff Steinman]

Bill,

I too feel very bad for Mr. Ryan. My heart goes out to him.
But the whole point of this issue here is that Mr. Hamilton complained to the FCC on him as well as others. I firmly believe he did so for his own personal gain.

There are other sites that sell assembled kits, and you know what, I could care less about it. Why couldn't Mr. Hamilton just mind his own business.
As stated before, Mr. Ryan offered an alternative in which to purchase an assembled kit. I bought one from him and it just transmits only 10 or so feet away from my home.

Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Ryan are on opposite ends of the globe. Where as Hamilton sells his transmitter for Part 15 broadcasters that want range, while Ryan sells his mainly to old time radio buffs like myself. And trust me, doesn't cause any interference what so ever.

- Jeff

 

[Hamilton]

“Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Ryan are on opposite ends of the globe. Where as Hamilton sells his transmitter for Part 15 broadcasters that want range, while Ryan sells his mainly to old time radio buffs like myself”

That is exactly right, that is why I just don’t get those who insist I am after some personal gain. There is likely 1 out of a 1000 old time radio hobbyist that would prefer or need my product over a product that is designed to cover just the radios in your home so you can listen to your old time radio programs in your house.

“Why couldn't Mr. Hamilton just mind his own business.”

Again, this became my business when a customer had purchased one of these units being told it was legal, and believing he was legal, contacted me. That was how I found out about it. I was trying to keep that from happening to others.

People generally don’t have a clue about the laws involved, and the end user is responsible for these devices, even when they have no clue how or the capability to see if the device complies.

There are others selling illegal transmitters? I hope they take heed of what is going on.

 

[Timewarp]

Wow!!!!!!!!!! Looks like someone has tried to FIX it so that only his goods and services are

legal to use. Then, try to use the resources of the government to mop up competition.

We've seen this before. The dark side of history. I'm sorry. But this is how it looks to me.

 

[Hamilton]

Once again I am not trying to “wipe out the competition” I don’t even consider these illegal manufacturers competition. As said before we are not even in the same market. If these companies clean up their act and get the blessing from the FCC I would be happy to send people that are looking for that sort of thing their way, as long as the person is aware of the risks involved.

I believe in the philosophy of “running the best race you can”, not wasting my time worrying about what others are doing.

 

[XRQKFM]

I wonder what level of law breaking the folks here would have to witness before they would report anything, the consensus seems to be “anti-law” or “rebel”

I think this where good judgement comes in, I'm am not going to call the CHP to turn in the guy next to me doing 10 miles over the speed limit. but I would if I just watched him run over a child. Nor am I going to turn in the legal AM station running little extra power at night. but if I found out he turned in an undocumented broadcaster, then the complaint would be filed the next day.
What Mann & LP R were doing was harmless, lets face the fact the FCC and their rules are there to protect Mega Corporation profits not protect the public from harmful interference.
You know "wipe out the competition" legally.

Maybe the issue is that people just don’t realize what a big deal it is to sell illegal transmitters, and/or operate pirate transmitters. It would seem “who is it hurting?

YOU

Say that when you have a family member that is injured and the city can’t dispatch an ambulance because some yo-ho had hosed up emergency services with his illegal transmitter. Then the cries of violation would start to be heard. Then the FCC would be crucified because they did nothing to protect the airwaves.

Who are you kidding? The odds of a Sstran transmitter causing interference to emergency services is ZERO and you know it.

This has been happening, that is why the potential jail time exists in some states for operating an illegal transmitter.

You know and I know a group of broadcast associations greased the palms of a few state legislators and a Governor or two, the alleged interference was a ruse used to gather public sympathy, politicians have used fear tactics for years to create laws to protect special interest groups.
I know to many broadcast engineers who laugh at these ruses, most are very impressed with the performance of the Sstran and other transmitters out there, about the only one that sets off alarms are the Ramseys that have their power pumped up because of the across the band trash they put out. even that is nothing compared to the number of legal but poorly maintained transmitters out there that are far more likely to and do cause harmful interference and are ignored by the FCC especially if the transmitter is owned by a mega broadcaster.
Scare tactics don't go very far with me, because I know its B.S., Now trying to wipe out the competition does get my goat. Nobody likes a busy body are a tattle tale.

Steve
www.radiobrandy.com/RBpart15am.html