For what I want it's fine. I have an emergency smart phone that I travel with (two SIM slots - 1 US, one international). I don't use cell data, only WiFi, and they've not nickel and dimed me at all. I buy $10 cards at the grocery store and refill every 3 months.

How is that better than T-Mobile's $3/month pay-as-you-go plan? 30 mins/30 txts per month.

I use T-Mobile's pay-as-you go, and it's $3/month for 30 mins or texts. They require $10/3 months, so that's not too bad.

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.

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.

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!

Check out post-WWI German and Austrian Notgeld for one of the first 'fringe currencies' in general circulation.

The water in the Bothnian bay and Bothnian sea is not salt water.

Many Bothnians died to bring us this information.

Nah, use those net shotgun shells. Wrap the drone up like a human in "Planet of the Apes".

I have coyotes, a certain type of vulture, ...

For a minute there I had a vision of winged coyotes swooping down from the sky.

I have a Moto G dual sim w/ FM radio. I use T-Mobile and pay $10/3 months or so ($3/month).

As I said in my biopic, The Sleeper Has Awakened!

It's advantageous because of the reduced weight of wiring.

The real advantage comes from using electrically-driven valves in IC engines. You can eliminate the camshaft, camshaft bearings and associated holes that penetrate the head, the lifters, rockers, timing gears/chain/belt, etc, and more importantly have infinite variable-valve timing, which is a holy grail of efficiency.

You can also have a much smaller starter motor, as well as smaller alternator (higher voltage but smaller windings due to lower current for the same power output). If you're very clever, you could combine the two into a motor around the perimeter of the flywheel.

In addition, electrically-driven AC starts looking do-able, as well as electrically-driven power steering pumps (already exist - my Mini has it) and water pumps (with this you can eliminate the thermostat - just vary the speed of the pump).

Will all that you could end up with a completely beltless engine with no crank pulley on the front of the motor - the only holes would be for spark plugs and either fuel/air (non direct-injection) or air + direct injection in the heads and the power output shaft out the rear of the block.

Yeah, but "Myanmar Shave" sounds silly, doesn't it?