question for gadfly

[chazmonster]

this is my first post here and to say you caught my attention is an understatement.

I have a question or two for you that maybe you can answer for me. I've been a trucker for 30 years and I'm licensed Amateur Operator. I have always run a legal station in my truck. Currently an Icom 706 and a Cobra 148.

here's my question. What happens to the 1000's of the 10 & 12 meter radios that hams own? I know they're currently non-type certified by the FCC. But when I bought a RCI-2970DX a few years ago it wasn't illegal. Now it is. So now what? It's a 10 &12 meter all mode that hasn't been modified in anyway. hell I turned it on once to make sure it worked properly and put it away and it's in the closet brand new. So If I'm reading right I can't legally use that radio on 10 &12 because it's not type accepted any longer??? Is the FCC buying them back from hams? or it it just a lost investment?? Are we grand-fathered in? seems like a Cluster- you know what to me. I've checked around and couldn't find a clear answer. please advise if you can.

thanks Chaz

[kd5drx]

that brings to mind all the home brew amps out there and all the kit radios and all the other user made equipment us Ham's use. its on the most part not type accepted either or fcc approved but according to our licence we can use it and are enchouraged to experiment with things thats what the hobby is for to experament with comunications. as long as you operate with in the license class you are granted and conform to the rules of band width and modulation and power you should be able to run any type equipment you want. Now you can't sell it comercialy with out getting FCC blessing but for your personel use go for it.

[Gadfly]

Originally Posted by chazmonster

this is my first post here and to say you caught my attention is an understatement.

I have a question or two for you that maybe you can answer for me. I've been a trucker for 30 years and I'm licensed Amateur Operator. I have always run a legal station in my truck. Currently an Icom 706 and a Cobra 148.

here's my question. What happens to the 1000's of the 10 & 12 meter radios that hams own? I know they're currently non-type certified by the FCC. But when I bought a RCI-2970DX a few years ago it wasn't illegal. Now it is. So now what? It's a 10 &12 meter all mode that hasn't been modified in anyway. hell I turned it on once to make sure it worked properly and put it away and it's in the closet brand new. So If I'm reading right I can't legally use that radio on 10 &12 because it's not type accepted any longer??? Is the FCC buying them back from hams? or it it just a lost investment?? Are we grand-fathered in? seems like a Cluster- you know what to me. I've checked around and couldn't find a clear answer. please advise if you can.

thanks Chaz

KD5DRX is correct. Licensed amateurs are not subject to the same rules as CB operators. A ham operating a CB station must observe Part 95, US Code. He gets no special privileges, no exemption to run an amp ON CB, nor may he operate his amateur rig ON CB. According to Part 97 of US Code, licensed amateurs may use any kind of radio on their OWN frequencies so long as it meets the rules of the Service. He can use a TOASTER if he can make it transmit and it does not emit harmonics, or signals outside the amateur service. Amateur radios need not be certified for operation according to Part 97 except for certain minimum emission standards. This means that, yes, the CB-like and so-called "amateur 10 Meter" radios CAN be used by hams ON 10 and 12 Meters. Just not ON the CB band. By ANYONE! ZIP, ZILCH, NADA, NYET!
ON the ham bands? HAVE at it!!!! It's OK!!!! (Tho I personally can't see any attraction to them because they have many limitations for amateur use: they ARE, after all, CB radios when you get down to it simply wearing a "mask" to disguise its real purpose!

The problem with them is they are NOT certified for use ON CB frequencies by ANYONE! They are NOT really "ham" radios at all! Just LOOK at most of them! C'mon! Look at the chrome faces! The "roger beeps". Echo mikes! "Bands" of "channels"! All these are designed for ONE purpose. TO BE SOLD TO AND USED BY CB OPERATORS! They are merely CALLED "amateur" radios in the hope that they can skirt the rules for certification. And real amateur radios don't HAVE "channels" (except for 60 Meters where there are some specific channels for dual operation with FEMA, etc). Nobody, least of all FCC, is being fooled by these radios. They are not certified for use on CB and they never will be. So the Feds placed such CB-looking "ham" radios on a LIST of radios by NAME as being illegal to SELL or market. So a ham CAN buy one with an FCC agent LOOKING at him. He won't go after the ham, but he can cite the CB dealer for marketing it!

I hope this makes it clear as mud!!! Lots of CB ops won't think it is "fair", but it is the way it is. Honestly, I don't it would have become an issue until people just couldn't resist that "band" switch!! OH LOOKY! I've got all these "extra" channels! (NOT!!!!) And the hams complained about interlopers on their frequencies and caused FCC to act.

Gadfly

[smokin97]

That explains alot!

[chazmonster]

Originally Posted by Gadfly

KD5DRX is correct. Licensed amateurs are not subject to the same rules as CB operators. A ham operating a CB station must observe Part 95, US Code. He gets no special privileges, no exemption to run an amp ON CB, nor may he operate his amateur rig ON CB. According to Part 97 of US Code, licensed amateurs may use any kind of radio on their OWN frequencies so long as it meets the rules of the Service. He can use a TOASTER if he can make it transmit and it does not emit harmonics, or signals outside the amateur service. Amateur radios need not be certified for operation according to Part 97 except for certain minimum emission standards. This means that, yes, the CB-like and so-called "amateur 10 Meter" radios CAN be used by hams ON 10 and 12 Meters. Just not ON the CB band. By ANYONE! ZIP, ZILCH, NADA, NYET!
ON the ham bands? HAVE at it!!!! It's OK!!!! (Tho I personally can't see any attraction to them because they have many limitations for amateur use: they ARE, after all, CB radios when you get down to it simply wearing a "mask" to disguise its real purpose!

The problem with them is they are NOT certified for use ON CB frequencies by ANYONE! They are NOT really "ham" radios at all! Just LOOK at most of them! C'mon! Look at the chrome faces! The "roger beeps". Echo mikes! "Bands" of "channels"! All these are designed for ONE purpose. TO BE SOLD TO AND USED BY CB OPERATORS! They are merely CALLED "amateur" radios in the hope that they can skirt the rules for certification. And real amateur radios don't HAVE "channels" (except for 60 Meters where there are some specific channels for dual operation with FEMA, etc). Nobody, least of all FCC, is being fooled by these radios. They are not certified for use on CB and they never will be. So the Feds placed such CB-looking "ham" radios on a LIST of radios by NAME as being illegal to SELL or market. So a ham CAN buy one with an FCC agent LOOKING at him. He won't go after the ham, but he can cite the CB dealer for marketing it!

I hope this makes it clear as mud!!! Lots of CB ops won't think it is "fair", but it is the way it is. Honestly, I don't it would have become an issue until people just couldn't resist that "band" switch!! OH LOOKY! I've got all these "extra" channels! (NOT!!!!) And the hams complained about interlopers on their frequencies and caused FCC to act.

Gadfly

Gadfly,

in my post I asked you a few specific questions. You basically answered them. (thank you) And I also found out a lot of info on QRZ.

But what disturbs me about your post is how you go on a tirade. About how the RCI is this and that blah,blah,blah . 1000's of ham operators own and use the RCI Ranger brand successfully. I didn't ask you if they were legal to use on 11 meters did I? (I already knew that) But you just couldn't help yourself, could you? You already extensively covered that topic.... You love to beat a dead horse. I didn't ask your opinion about my equipment did I?
Remember this, just about all Ham radios can be EASILY CONVERTED OVER TO CB. So the FCC decided to single out one manufacturer. The FCC had better start outlawing all other major manufacturers to stop making radios MARS capable because there's already a ton of them already on 11 meters. Wake up and smell the coffee and don't single out 1 brand.

[Cybergal]

Please discuss with good conduct and without flaming or provoking posts.