Re: The FCC Kits Factor
> I verified Radiopilots post not because I did not believe
> him but to show others .
> Logic would have it if was illegal to sell such kits the FCC
> would go after the biggest fish first, Ramsey being the big
> fish making and selling debatable quality AM & FM kit
> transmitter for years.
> You can print the document to show an FCC agent in the
> highly unlikely event you get a visit for your part 15 AM
> Sstran kit connected to Carl’s antenna.
> As I have said in an earlier post our affiliates make heavy
> use of both Rangemaster and Sstran transmitters. If you are
> going to use it for a for profit business the Rangemaster is
> a must because the certification puts a stop to anyone
> trying to kill your business on the basis it’s illegal.
> Another reason the Rangemaster is favorable in a business
> environment is expandability. The Rangemaster sync ability
> is a must if you plan on expanding your service area on the
> same frequency. I have also found it’s easier to convince a
> business to mount Rangemaster on their roof when they see
> it’s FCC certified. Businesses interpret the certification
> to mean they are off the hook with the government in the
> event of a visit
> The Sstran is an outstanding transmitter I have no problem
> using them, in fact I use them in a marketing business
> mainly promoting new housing developments where only one
> transmitter is needed. The Sstran also has one advantage: If
> someone rips one off them off from you are only out $150
> bucks versus $1000+ for the Rangemaster.
> I don’t think anyone should blow a fuse over this debate the
> FCC has spoken. It’s a matter of public record. The FCC
> really is like the IRS: never the same answer twice!
>
> Returning radio to the people one station at a time.
> Steve
> RadioBrandy.com
>
> > For those that believe such a response was a fake
> letter...
> > go to the link below and add the tracking number: 621612,
>
> > and the email address:
[email protected]
> >
> >
> http://gu>
> llfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/kdb/forms/ResponseReplyEntry.cfm
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > See for yourself if the FCC did not respond correctly to
> the
> > issue of the kits.
> >
> > Radiopilot
> >
>
For the FCC to ban transmitter kits is practically un-American. I mean, kids have been building receiver and TX kits for decades. Even I built a Heathkit FM transmitter (with the clear plexiglass cover)as a boy. Future engineers were spawned on those kits.
While it's good to know that this isn't happening, it wouldn't surprise me if it did given NAB lackey Marsha McBride's comments at the IEEE Broadcast Symposium a few days ago. She cited three major forces threatening broadcast space today, one of them being unlicensed devices.
I have no doubt the NAB would love to see a ban on the use of part-15 TX's and would influence the FCC in that direction if they could.
BTW, as wonderful as having a type-accepted TX is, I notice that whenever the FCC does a field check on an unlicensed broadcaster or writes up an NAL, it's all about signal strength at a given distance; they never comment on whether a TX is type-accepted or not. And I think, this is the key: keeping it legal, not type-acceptance.
I also think that part-15 on FM is a dead loss and a waste of time (except for yardcasting), particularly in urban areas, given the FCC enforcement stats: over 91% of the FCC busts were for illegal FM users, while only 6% of the busts were for LW and MW combined. FM is clearly radio's closely guarded 'golden boy' (and AM the forgotten step child).
db