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Comment Re:Neat idea, BUT ... (Score 1) 3

Thanks for the reply. I'm not a lawyer, but as a ham I have poked around in Parts 2, 15, and 47. The following are just my concerns that might impact your endeavor.

Operating a non-certificated/approved device in the ham bands is one thing - marketing a transmitter of any type is yet another.

If you're going the module route, Part 15.212 puts some pretty stringent limits on what you can do with the module - it has to have the 'unique' antenna connector and must be certified with a particular antenna - "All single or split modular transmitters are approved with an antenna."

Part 15.212 also says that "The modular transmitter must be equipped with either a permanently affixed label or must be capable of electronically displaying its FCC identification number." That implies that it must have an FCC ID number, which implies some level of certification/authorization.

While it's true that hams can use any equipment in the ham bands and are responsible for their signal purity, those that MARKET such devices have more stringent requirements - Part 15.201(b) says that "... 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." I'm not sure how close to 'marketing' your kickstarter campaign is - hopefully the FCC doesn't consider it marketing.

If you go the kit route, the waters are even more murky. For a pretty good review of the state of affairs, check out this article on SparkFun.

Good luck - If I were you I would seriously consider consulting someone that's competent to review your situation and give you advice, whether that be a lawyer or RF engineer, or perhaps one of the Certification labs.

Comment Neat idea, BUT ... (Score 1) 3

Please, please, PLEASE do not use this device in the amateur radio bands (or any other band, for that matter) without first obtaining all certifications and licenses that are required by law.

Amateur radio operators are very welcoming to new LEGAL users of the amateur spectrum - they do NOT tolerate pirate/unlicensed activity.

I'm very surprised that the kickstarter campaign doesn't mention FCC compliance testing in their 'known risks' category. Getting an intentional radiator tested and approved/certificated is not a trivial exercise, even if it's sold as a kit. If they intend to leave 'out of band transmit' enabled, they're going to run afoul of a ton of Part 2 and Part 15 rules.

Submission + - Get started with two nerdy hobbies at once. The HamShield for Arduino! (kickstarter.com) 3

belial writes: For the past year, Casey Halverson, Morgan Redfield and Nigel Vander Houwen have been working on a not-actually-secret project at Seattle's Metrix Create:Space. The HAMShield for Arduino, a shield that incorporates a SDR and low noise amplifier in the VHF and UHF bands!

In the first 12 hours of it being on Kickstarter, it passed the halfway mark, pretty much guaranteeing its funding. What would you make with one of these if you had one, and how do you think this is going to change the Amateur Radio landscape?

Comment Re:bit coin doesn't solve the strategic issue. (Score 1) 359

Take the unemployed into government jobs. Forbid utilities from increasing their price (but giving them "subsidies"). In 3 or 4 years Greece will be a FINE place to live. You'll see a lot of expensive cars in the streets, lots of new buildings, overall support for the government. The president will be re-elected with an overwhelming majority. And in 10 to 15 years Greece will be struggling again. How do I know? Because as an Argentinian, this is what i live with every day.

So Argentina "Atlas Shrugged" itself into an unholy mess? Whoda thunk it?

Sounds like the Obama plan - free phones, free healthcare, free money!

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