Perhaps but testing has nothing to do with judgement or morals.
Transmitting outside the ham bands
- Thread starter mmckenna
- Start date
Please elaborate. If I own a radio that is capable of receiving and transmitting in the amateur radio bands, what is the legitimate purpose for performing a so-called "MARS mod" on the radio if all the modification does is make it so the radio can transmit outside the amateur radio bands? If it's a illegal for me, with my amateur radio license, to transmit outside the amateur radio bands, why do I need a radio that can do so?
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2003
- Messages
- 1,213
I have a question a little off topic. I never had an Amateur Radio that could transmit out of the Amateur Radio bands, but one could receive outside the Amateur Radio bands. What about these cheap Chinese imported radios advertise as Ham Radios like BAOFENG, BTECH, and AnyTone. These radios can transmit outside the Amateur Radio bands, so is it okay to use these radios for Amateur Radio?
DeoVindice
P25 Underground
Provided they meet Part 97 standards for spurious emissions, yes. Any equipment that meets the technical specifications is A-OK for amateur use. Mmckenna (I think) and I both exclusively use commercial land mobile equipment for VHF/UHF ham operation; if you don't need traditional ham features like a VFO it tends to perform better and offer a better UI/UX.
The inverse is the problem - using ham gear that usually only has Part 15 type acceptance on Part 90 is no bueno because there is no assurance that it will perform correctly.
MTS2000des
5B2_BEE00 Czar
Whackers gonna whack. Whether it's the prepper whacker who is convinced they can transmit wherever, whenever "when all else fails" without consequence, the NAS scan whacker with cloned ID (you know that guy) "just to listen",. or the GMRS linked repeater whacker, all of them operate under the one reality of life: it is all good, until it isn't.
Plenty of NALs issued to plenty of fools who gave the middle finger to the FCC and got popped. They talk a good game of forums, YouTube, social media et al, and it's all glory, until the day they get on someone's radar and the life changing costs and consequences commence.
Plenty of NALs issued to plenty of fools who gave the middle finger to the FCC and got popped. They talk a good game of forums, YouTube, social media et al, and it's all glory, until the day they get on someone's radar and the life changing costs and consequences commence.
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kayn1n32008
ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
100% exactly the same thing. Transmitting on unauthorized frequencies.
It sure doesn't help we have all these idiot "Preppers" on YouTube pushing using these cheap radios "for when they hit".
d119
Patch & Channels Clear...
Finally - someone else who gets what it ACTUALLY means. We'll get you an ARRL-sponsored "Interpreted Part 97 Correctly" award for your wall.What's that! My Amateur FCC license covered under Part 97 does not automagically allow me to transmit on Part 90 frequencies I'm not licensed for?! Come on! The verbiage in my Part 97 license only applies to Part 97 frequencies? That means in an emergency I can transmit on Amateur Extra frequencies when I'm just a lowly General or Technician, but not on Part 90 frequencies.
Well...well...well
@#%&*( hams (yeah I am one).
That's because the manufacturer makes the same model radio for other countries that do not follow the USA band plans.
What we call the MARS mod is actually for use in other countries. Legal to use in the US outside of the AR band plan, technically no, but is preforming the mod illegal? I would say no because you could take the radio to another country with a reciprocal license and use it there legally.
AC9KH
Member
Obviously, the legitimate purpose would be if you're a MARS operator.
If you're not a MARS operator but are one of the hams that believe they are gung-ho emergency communications experts, there are some from this group that collect all sorts of illegal equipment so they got it "just in case". And the list of stuff they collect is not limited to radios.
Are MARS operators allowed to use modified ham radios? Back in the day, I know Civil Air Patrol used modified radios, but today they follow NTIA standards. I wonder if the same true for MARS operators.
bill4long
Member
This kind of discussion revolves around the concept of "legitimate." We might not agree what that means. I suspect your idea might be "legitimate is what the FCC says is legitimate." Meh. The FCC doesn't have jurisdiction over the whole world. And they they aren't God Almighty in every plausible scenario even within the borders of the USA. Some of their claimed jurisdiction is Constitutionally sketchy.
At any rate, my policy is, and always will be, all radios that I own are TX unlocked for all frequencies they are capable of transmitting on.
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AC9KH
Member
Yes, they are. MARS operators run on military frequencies that are not in the ham bands and use a military call sign. I was a MARS operator for 6 years, and theoretically you're not supposed to get the MARS mod to your radio unless you supply your qualifications and military call sign to the manufacturer of the radio. And you're supposed to convert it back to a normal ham radio before you sell it.
A DDS or DMD has to get through an undergrad degree in a bioscience program, attend 4 years of doctoral level education and practicals, then graduate and pass a stringent exam in the State they wish to practice in.
The point here? Stringent education, testing, practicals, and government testing resulted in an Arizona licensed practicing dentist getting a pair of channellock pliers from a toolbox in a closet and using an un-disinfected tool to perform a tooth extraction on a patient in an office setting.
If a professional cannot hold himself to the most basic tenets of his profession and common sense known to the average adult, how does more testing help someone that is a 'hobbyist'?
To prevent whackerism in the ARRL and amateur radio, Congress should pass legislation mandating Hi-Viz Pink as the only legal color for FCC licensees, licensed stations, self proclaimed whackers, etc. Any other color or failure to use mandated colors during a man-made and or natural disaster should be Contempt of Commission, a felony.
Yes, I didn't mention MARS operators who are registered with Army MARS or AF MARS. However, the original post had to do with VHF/UHF transmissions. I'm sure there are scattered MARS units using VHF/UHF, but it's my understanding that most MARS ops are on HF.
My question related to amateur radio operators in the US, not the whole world. As for the FCC's jurisdiction in these matters, the Forfeiture Order refers to the Communications Act of 1934 passed by Congress and codified in 47 USC §301 as the basis for rules that a license or authorization is required in order to transmit with a radio in the U.S.
Are you saying that I could take a modified radio to another country and use it outside the amateur radio bands in that country under some sort of reciprocal license? Could you give me an example a country where this is true?
I agree that we might not agree.
My question related to amateur radio operators in the US, not the whole world. As for the FCC's jurisdiction in these matters, the Forfeiture Order refers to the Communications Act of 1934 passed by Congress and codified in 47 USC §301 as the basis for rules that a license or authorization is required in order to transmit with a radio in the U.S.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
To prevent whackerism in the ARRL and amateur radio, Congress should pass legislation mandating Hi-Viz Pink as the only legal color for FCC licensees, licensed stations, self proclaimed whackers, etc. Any other color or failure to use mandated colors during a man-made and or natural disaster should be Contempt of Commission, a felony.
Absolutely PERFECT solution.
Call signs should be embroidered in lavender with lots of flowery flourishes, also.
k6cpo
Member
I would love to see the FCC take some kind of action on this. The first step would be to prohibit legitimate dealers, such as HRO, DX Engineering, Gigaparts, etc., from modifying radios when they're sold. That would stop a lot of the "abuse" right in its tracks because the average ham/prepper doesn't have the tools or the skill level to do it themselves.
MARS/CAP and radio mods done by the dealer or otherwise isn't the issue. Never has been and never will be. Anybody can go out and buy a $19 'feng that's already "MARS/CAP modded." Or you can go out and buy a commercial radio. Heck, almost every radio I own is MARS/CAP modded, if you want to call it that. It's mostly commercial gear.
And yet with all these radios I have that are capable of transmitting on public service frequencies, I don't. It all boils down to this whackerism, prepping, etc. crap perpetuated by the ARRL, Youtubers, and radio influencers. And unfortunately, you have an entire generation of hams, GMRS users, and preppers who have been raised on this stuff. That's the problem.
And yet with all these radios I have that are capable of transmitting on public service frequencies, I don't. It all boils down to this whackerism, prepping, etc. crap perpetuated by the ARRL, Youtubers, and radio influencers. And unfortunately, you have an entire generation of hams, GMRS users, and preppers who have been raised on this stuff. That's the problem.
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