I know the rules are there but there is seldom much or anything done about it. I guess 11 meters became outlaw when they stopped issuing licenses and it seems as if the FCC lost interest around the same time.
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CB amplifier
- Thread starter fabiomirandacr
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Not so much. They still vigorously enforce the rules when some idiot CBer lights up his 2kw leenyar and wipes out a city block full of TV's and the local airport control tower. In an egregious case like that, their wrath is fast and furious.
FCC Action
I am surprised to read this. I thought the FCC was more interested in Howard Stern and wardrobe irregularities.
I am surprised to read this. I thought the FCC was more interested in Howard Stern and wardrobe irregularities.
Token
Member
Just a maybe here, I do not claim to be any kind of an expert, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
I would guess maybe because the 2004 cite addresses a printed catalogue circulated in the US (it also addresses internet sales in section 4, but it appears most of the enforcement wording is related to “domestic sales”). The citation appears to me to have been for domestic marketing, in violation of statute. The web is not domestic, and no FCC regulation that I am aware of prevents a company from selling non-type certified radios to foreign markets as long as the radios are never imported into the US for sale here. And let’s say the company is incorporated in a foreign country, that would add another layer. Import/export (except import of electronics for sale to the US market) and how international business is handled is a whole ‘nother matter, and while there might be some violations there it is not the job of the FCC to go after them.
So, a web only based “export” radio sales, or foreign only distribution of printed material, unless you can prove sales to US customers, might be a bit harder to prosecute.
Just a guess though.
T!
K9WG
Member
Token,
Where do you get that the web site is not domestic?
Our Privacy Policy : Antron Antenna : Connex Radios : Handheld Microphones : H&Y Electronics
Where do you get that the web site is not domestic?
Our Privacy Policy : Antron Antenna : Connex Radios : Handheld Microphones : H&Y Electronics
Token
Member
What I said was "The web is not domestic", I did not say anything about that company being a domestically owned or operated business, or what its web site might be. However, unless you can prove that the web site is marketing specifically to US residents I can see how it might be a hard(er) thing for the FCC to go after.
Let me put it this way. If a US owned company is (or claiming to be) using a web site and marketing and selling export CB radios to people in Malaysia, or Australia, or any other foreign nation, and never bringing those radios into the US further than an international economic zone, what are the options for the FCC to prosecute? On the other hand, if you print a catalogue and distribute that catalog in the US (as mentioned in the FCC action) then it is easy to prove “marketed to US”.
Notice in the original FCC action that there was no mention of actual sales, only of marketing. Unless you can prove the devices have been imported into the US or have been marketed specifically to US customers then it seems like the FCC would have easier fish to catch.
Note that I am not saying this is going on here, I do not know, but the FCC might be spending time on things that are easier to prove, and that could be why the web site and business are still around. And that was your question “The Web site is still active. Good question why the FCC hasn’t done anything else.” I was presenting one possible reason.
T!
Not meaning to get off topic here, but the FCC is being very aggressive with their crackdown on illegal cellular jamming equipment sold all over in the USA as well as busting those locations employing said jammers.
73,
n9zas
73,
n9zas
There was an article years ago (NYC maybe?) about a restaurant that got fined for using a jammer in his restaurant.
Despite having signs "Turn off cell phones" or "No cell phones allowed" people still used them. The owner got fined. So he shut down for a bit and installed a huge Faraday cage and re-opened -- to huge lines waiting to get in.. "Cell phone free" -- he was sued but won because it was passive, not active. I wish I still had the article ...
Despite having signs "Turn off cell phones" or "No cell phones allowed" people still used them. The owner got fined. So he shut down for a bit and installed a huge Faraday cage and re-opened -- to huge lines waiting to get in.. "Cell phone free" -- he was sued but won because it was passive, not active. I wish I still had the article ...
In the eyes of the FCC, that would probably be the only LEGAL way to inhibit cellphone use.
In the eyes of a local government, it may NOT be legal. Many cities and counties are passing ordinances requiring that building owners of publicly accessible buildings make provision for public safety communications to work. So, if a building is built like a Faraday cage, that building owner might be required to install a BDA to cover local police, fire, and EMS communications.
It wouldn't be impossible to create conditions where a cellphone wouldn't work, but a public safety system would. Complicating the issue is that many EMS agencies use cellphones as their primary EMT to hospital communications while working on a patient. A restaurant or theater owner could face lawsuits if a medical emergency happened on their premises and steps had been taken to eliminate cellphone coverage. The potential liability is HUGE compared to the annoyance of a rude cellphone user.
What really needs to happen is people need to relax. If your phone call is that important, step outside. If you're that bothered by people in public using their cellphones, then stay home.
And WOW. Has this thread sure veered off topic!
Unfortunately, zz is probably right about the legality of shielding to stop cell phone use from disturbing your customers. Business owners, indeed all property owners, seem to be loosing their right to control the activity that occurs on their property. But why couldn't the owner escort the offender(s) from his property and tell them not to return?
I find that hard to believe -- I hear the same idiot night after night -- sometimes I think it's just a tape loop--- the fcc has directional detection capability -- and If I hear some idiot from Louisiana; how can the fcc miss them?
I have found that more than the fcc, it's the self-righteous ham radio ops do the policing (forget if they're right or wrong:it's THEIR frequency, so you don't belong) and then the fcc steps in...
You shouldn't find it hard to believe. If someone is interfering with a licensed service, the FCC takes it pretty seriously. If it's just noise on the CB band, then the FCC isn't nearly as concerned, and then it becomes a matter of available resources.
Those "self-righteous ham radio ops" may be the licensed service that's being interfered with, in which case they have every right to complain.
majoco
Stirrer
Here yer go - blow the other guy out of the water with one of these....
- Conception R.B. - COM-O-PAC
......to hell with the regulations
- Conception R.B. - COM-O-PAC
......to hell with the regulations
Yes in deed.
You know, if one does insist upon an illegal linear amp for a cb, i have always limited myself to just 25 watts and zingo, especially if there is "skip" kicking in. And without a "hot-foot," on side band (12 PEP), from New York, I have communicated with Arizona, parts of California with S-4-5 reception. Go figure!
You know, if one does insist upon an illegal linear amp for a cb, i have always limited myself to just 25 watts and zingo, especially if there is "skip" kicking in. And without a "hot-foot," on side band (12 PEP), from New York, I have communicated with Arizona, parts of California with S-4-5 reception. Go figure!
bob-the-scanner-man
Member
You can do a lot on CB with just a little power. Even with just a stock radio with a good microphone. It's all about the antenna and the band conditions. Unfortunately a lot of guys get caught up in what I call "power wars" where they think that in order to be heard they need to put out hundreds if not thousands of watts when in reality improving on their antenna and the quality of their output audio would go a long way in helping their setup. Power is good, but when your antenna is lackluster and your audio leaves much to be desired, it's just a waste.
I always say, I'm not going to empty my wallet to by some "fancy" amplifier; I'll just wait until the conditions are right to make the trip with low power.
Just like life -- there's always going to be someone that makes more money than you do; drives a better car; is more miserable/happy than you are.... Someone will always have an amp better than yours.
Last time I looked; after 3 or 400 watts; you need huge wiring and alternator/power sources... It seems there is a "practical" level that also coincides with "affordable" -- RM seems to make a few very affordable sub 100 watt amps that look nice & are small. Not that I approve of using amps; but they're out there and sometimes, you are just 'stuck in the mud'.
Last time I looked; after 3 or 400 watts; you need huge wiring and alternator/power sources... It seems there is a "practical" level that also coincides with "affordable" -- RM seems to make a few very affordable sub 100 watt amps that look nice & are small. Not that I approve of using amps; but they're out there and sometimes, you are just 'stuck in the mud'.
KC4RAF
Member
How many old timers here
remember the power of the Gizmotchy antennas way back in the 60's. Few used amps, but bought the big Gizmotchy. Remember one guy that had the 3 element and ran a 50 watts or so amp and made contacts all over the world. Others ran without power and made contacts as well. Just goes to show, you don't need amps to congest the airwaves. The guy who makes contacts with 4 watts gets my respect.
remember the power of the Gizmotchy antennas way back in the 60's. Few used amps, but bought the big Gizmotchy. Remember one guy that had the 3 element and ran a 50 watts or so amp and made contacts all over the world. Others ran without power and made contacts as well. Just goes to show, you don't need amps to congest the airwaves. The guy who makes contacts with 4 watts gets my respect.
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