tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post8164944856494537842..comments2024-02-11T02:24:22.330-06:00Comments on Nonbovine Ruminations: Bike racers and amateur radioAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04107127399494404366noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-33595088727846068632008-05-06T06:27:00.000-05:002008-05-06T06:27:00.000-05:00One point: "dual use" equipment is difficult in th...One point: "dual use" equipment is difficult in the United States. Virtually all services authorized by the FCC require that the transmitted be certificated for use, and furthermore prohibit end user modification of the transmitter. The only service which allows end-user modification is the amateur radio service. In order to be certificated, the device must not be capable of transmitting on frequencies not authorized for the services for which it has been certificated. Any modification automatically strips the device of its certificated status, and consequentially the legal ability to transmit using that device.<BR/><BR/>Now, a manufacturer could, in theory, manufacture and obtain certification for a radio in more than one service, but in practice you rarely see this. In addition, you won't see it with the amateur service because hams have the right to modify their gear (unique to all services). A ham may transmit using an uncertificated radio, but only on frequencies allocated to the amateur radio service; hams may not use uncertificated radios on frequencies allocated to any other service or to communicate with stations in other services (even those that do not require individual licensing, such as CB or FRS) with very limited exceptions.<BR/><BR/>As a result, "dual-use" radios in the United States that include the amateur service are unheard-of. The way certification works makes it simply impractical.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04107127399494404366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33573016.post-16451878284214172292008-05-06T05:32:00.000-05:002008-05-06T05:32:00.000-05:00I read your post with much interest [syndicated on...I read your post with much interest [syndicated on Advogato.org] because there is declining interestin Amateur Radio, especially because of the increase in the availibility and accessability of Computers & the internet.<BR/><BR/>I would like to point out firstly that I am from the UK, which means I am governed by OFCOM (which is I guess, part of The Home Office) and the RSGB who "police" our bandwidth (the RSGB are the equivlent of the ARRL), Ofcom being FCC.<BR/><BR/>The availibility of bandwidth that has been "given" to amateur radio enthusiasts has at times been "fought" for. The difference between a pirate using it, who is an "unknown" individual, and a commercial organisation is a large on. Commercial bands, both licensed and un licensed take up a large part of the spectrum, and it's usual to find a commercial band next to a amateur band, so that most equipment can actually be dual-use.<BR/><BR/>When it comes to pirates, they are, depending on occasion, use, and location (i.e. how much of a nusance) tollerated - the 70cm band not having "that much" of a distance has its benifits for "not annoying" people.<BR/><BR/>Where it comes to commercial usage - that is either broadcasts (as opposed to 2 way communication) or 2 way comms for a commercial reason, there is a different emphasis. The amateur bands have been allocated to amateur users for them to expand their techincal abilities and learn more, so for a company to use this bandwidth, *when* there is other bandwidth availible, is unfair.<BR/><BR/>By "ok"ing the commercial use of an amateur band, it is starting a trend of "ok"ing the use of it in future. Special allowances should be for Special circumstances. A championship, not really what I would call "special".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com