10 meter radio in a truck - legal question.

Because they are a legal Ham Radio. Even the FCC knows what their true use is but their hands are tied.

 

They are legal HOW?

 

They are imported into the USA as Ham Radio equipment and thereby they are legal to use on 10 meters with a valid Ham license. As built they will not operate on NON Ham Frequencies. They must be modify to operate on CB frequencies and other non Ham frequencies. They are NEVER legal to operate outside a Ham frequency.

 

How are they legal Ham radios being an AM/FM only radio that only goes as high as 28.305? With only channel numbers 1-40 and no CW?

 

I'm not saying they are practical, only that they are legal in the Ham band. Yes, they would have to be modify. Such as shift the frequency and operate on the AM/FM frequencies. Or add a BFO and key and operate in the CW portions of the band.

 

The key word is USE. To what purpose will a given radio be used? In truth, FEW hams would use such a radio because of its limitations mentioned above. Without modifications, one could not legally operate such a radio without running afoul of Part 97, US Code. There are certain band and mode restrictions that apply to 10 Meters for the hams themselves. For example, the area between 28.300 and 28.500 is generally sideband ONLY Thus, this particular radio with its operation ONLY up to 28.305 AM/FM suggests a suspicious use out of the box. This, especially in light of the fact that a ham can buy an all band rig (Icom, for example) for not much more than what is charged in a truck stop for one of those so-called "10 Meter 'amateur' radios"

Anyone can also buy another HF ham radio of various brands, average power being around 100 watts "barefooted", as the term goes, and modify it to operate on 11 Meters. This generally opens up the radio to operate on any and ALL HF frequencies. Modifying the radio itself is NOT "illegal"; it is the USE of it on frequencies for the operator has NO license or authorization that is against the law! My radios, for example, will transmit on CB--and US military frequencies, too, because I have the license(s) and/or authorization to do so. However, since newer NTIA specifications and restrictions came into being, I now have HF and VHF equipment assigned to me for the specific purpose, and I participate in organizational "Nets" and FEMA exercises with that equipment instead.

The key is RESPONSIBILITY and mature, knowledgable operators who recognize and know the rules for their particular service--amateur, CB, and military.

In the case of modified radios, when someone gets caught operating outside their parameters, the authorities then will also go after the equipment that helped to make such unauthorized operations possible. The modification shows INTENT and further supports the FCC in its contention of illegal operation.

The question, then, becomes one of, "WHY DO YOU WANT" such a radio when it violates the law (intent) in the first place? What it does for the CBer is

1) it permits higher power than allowed for CB.

2) It is modified by some shop to operate on 11 Meters

3) It permits operation on frequencies, accidently or on purpose, (channels in the CB world) for which the operator likely has no license

4) The mere possession of a "10 Meter 'amateur' (HA!) radio" suggests an illegal intent to commit any, either, or all of the above offenses

.....ALL of which are against the law!

In truth, there is NO justification for such radios.


GF

 

Boy, I can't wait to buy an illegal radio!! The old 29 just isn't cutting it on 19.

 

I have to disagree with your last statement. One of the first thing that comes to my mind is a 10 meter beacon. Either in a CW portion or on one of the AM or FM portions of the band. I would even turn the power down. As I'm sure you know it only takes a few watts are required to work the world on 10 meters.

Now there isn't anyone in their right mind going to buy a new one and then modify it. But, a flee market find could make a cheep beacon radio.

 

www.hamuniverse.com/10meterinformation ........... www.w5yi.org .......... www.k0bg.com ////////keep your mirage and get a good mic and a steel coil antenna (singular) geezzzzz!

 

Mmmmm, bacon...

Seriously, though, you could probably build a 10m beacon transmitter for about $20.