hello folks , hope someone can help me

i have built some 433MHz CW transmitters and used them for tracking
model airplanes and stuff so I can find them if they get lost , the
only ones i have built so far are only a couple of mW output , the
company make they low power modules say no license is required for
their use

ok , so now i want to build a higher power one for greater distance ,
thinking of using the linx modules which can either have 10mW or 50mW
output at 433MHz CW

my questions

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

thanks for any assistance ... stan

I think there's a lot of technically illegal radio building that's tolerated
because it's not bothering anyone. Building your own 2mW transmitter and
using it for fun is a lot like driving at 90mph on a deserted freeway --
they're both illegal, but if you do it well the law will look the other way.
This is how we all got away with those AM transmitters on our RatShack
100-in-1 project kits when we were kids.

Building your own transmitters that are within the rules for unlicensed use
is technically illegal but practically OK (see above). Amatuer operators
are allowed to use our own equipment because we're presumed to know what
we're doing by virtue of having passed the test for the license, and because
the gov'ment knows that we're self-policed and will try to get violators to
shape up on our own before anyone calls the FCC.

By all means go ahead and get a licence -- then you can not only dink with
building a better beacon, but you can fly on 50MHz and (a) always have a
frequency to yourself and (b) confuse everyone with your single-digit
frequency flag.

If you do this then technically (there's that word again!) you'll have to
rig the beacon up to send your call sign automatically at least every 10
minutes, but aside from the 100W power output this would be a good way of
distinguishing _your_ beacon from everyone else's. You may be able to get
away with putting a placard with your call sign on the aircraft, but I think
that rule only covers the transmitter with which you're flying the plane.

"stan" wrote in message
...
hello folks , hope someone can help me

i have built some 433MHz CW transmitters and used them for tracking
model airplanes and stuff so I can find them if they get lost , the
only ones i have built so far are only a couple of mW output , the
company make they low power modules say no license is required for
their use

ok , so now i want to build a higher power one for greater distance ,
thinking of using the linx modules which can either have 10mW or 50mW
output at 433MHz CW

my questions

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

thanks for any assistance ... stan

Assuming you're in the U.S., you need a copy of Part 15 of the FCC
rules, which deals with unlicensed transmitters among other things. I
imagine it's on the web these days -- if not, it's available from the
government printing office for a nominal charge.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

stan wrote:
hello folks , hope someone can help me

i have built some 433MHz CW transmitters and used them for tracking
model airplanes and stuff so I can find them if they get lost , the
only ones i have built so far are only a couple of mW output , the
company make they low power modules say no license is required for
their use

ok , so now i want to build a higher power one for greater distance ,
thinking of using the linx modules which can either have 10mW or 50mW
output at 433MHz CW

my questions

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

thanks for any assistance ... stan

And the US government will refer to it as "Part 15 of CFR 47" -- CFR 47
being volume 47 of the code of federal regulations. If you get if from the
gov'ment as a book it will come bound with other parts -- my 1992 set of CFR
47 has three volumes.

"Roy Lewallen" wrote in message
...
Assuming you're in the U.S., you need a copy of Part 15 of the FCC
rules, which deals with unlicensed transmitters among other things. I
imagine it's on the web these days -- if not, it's available from the
government printing office for a nominal charge.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

stan wrote:
hello folks , hope someone can help me

i have built some 433MHz CW transmitters and used them for tracking
model airplanes and stuff so I can find them if they get lost , the
only ones i have built so far are only a couple of mW output , the
company make they low power modules say no license is required for
their use

ok , so now i want to build a higher power one for greater distance ,
thinking of using the linx modules which can either have 10mW or 50mW
output at 433MHz CW

my questions

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

thanks for any assistance ... stan

In article ,
stan wrote:

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

The information you want is almost certainly in Title 47 of the Code
of Federal Regulations, Part 15. "This part sets out the regulations
under which an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator may
be operated without an individual license. It also contains the
technical specifications, administrative requirements and other
conditions relating to the marketing of part 15 devices."

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/w...7cfr15_02.html

Take a look at section 15.209, which covers radiated emission limits
for "intentional" radiators. The limits are not defined in terms of
transmitter power, but in terms of the field strength at a specific
distance and frequency... this takes antenna gain into account.

In general, I'd guess that if you buy one of the little commercial
modules which is intended for Part 15 operation, and use it with the
sort of antenna that they recommend, you'd be safely within the
emission limits. If you add a gain antenna, or an outboard power
amplifier, you'll need to simulate and/or test to make sure that you
aren't exceeding the specified limits.

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

Several different sets of rules apply here, depending on whether
you're going to be justifying your use of the device under Part 15
(license-free) or Part 97 (Amateur Radio service).

For Part 15 operation:

Sec. 15.23 Home-built devices.

(a) Equipment authorization is not required for devices that are
not marketed, are not constructed from a kit, and are built in
quantities of five or less for personal use.

(b) It is recognized that the individual builder of home-built
equipment may not possess the means to perform the measurements
for determining compliance with the regulations. In this case, the
builder is expected to employ good engineering practices to meet
the specified technical standards to the greatest extent
practicable. The provisions of Sec. 15.5 apply to this equipment.

For Part 97 (Amateur Radio): in general, it is _not_ necessary to
have an FCC registration or certification to build or sell radio
equipment intended for use in the Amateur Radio bands. In this case,
the responsibility for the technical correctness of the equipment
belongs to the amateur-radio operator who actually uses it, and not to
the builder/seller. Amateur Radio is specifically designed as a
service intended to support experimentation.

There are some exceptions, having mostly to do with high-power
amplifiers and with equipment which could be used both on amateur
bands and other bands (which generally _do_ require certification).

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

In article ,
Tim Wescott wrote:

I think there's a lot of technically illegal radio building that's tolerated
because it's not bothering anyone. Building your own 2mW transmitter and
using it for fun is a lot like driving at 90mph on a deserted freeway --
they're both illegal, but if you do it well the law will look the other way.
This is how we all got away with those AM transmitters on our RatShack
100-in-1 project kits when we were kids.

Building your own transmitters that are within the rules for unlicensed use
is technically illegal but practically OK (see above).

Actually, as I read it, if you homebrew a system which stays within
the FCC Part 15 limits, it's perfectly legal. The rules have a
specific "no certification required" exception for systems which are
built for home use, not-from-a-kit, in small quantities.

By all means go ahead and get a licence

Definitely!

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

Roy,

It has been a while since I read it, but isn't the bulk of the requirement a
field strength number? I run a validation department and we measure field
strength for our products. If there is a section of part 15 which gets
specific (like I think the old 136 KHz part or the AM band where a power and
antenna IS specified, then he's ok. Otherwise he'll have to measure field
strength.

--
Steve N, K,9;d, c. i My email has no u's.

"Roy Lewallen" wrote in message
...
Assuming you're in the U.S., you need a copy of Part 15 of the FCC
rules, which deals with unlicensed transmitters among other things. I
imagine it's on the web these days -- if not, it's available from the
government printing office for a nominal charge.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

stan wrote:
hello folks , hope someone can help me

i have built some 433MHz CW transmitters and used them for tracking
model airplanes and stuff so I can find them if they get lost , the
only ones i have built so far are only a couple of mW output , the
company make they low power modules say no license is required for
their use

ok , so now i want to build a higher power one for greater distance ,
thinking of using the linx modules which can either have 10mW or 50mW
output at 433MHz CW

my questions

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

thanks for any assistance ... stan

Oh that's good to know. I have part 97 ('cause I'm KG7LI) and part 68
('cause I occasionally work with phone equipment), but not part 15. I'll
have to take a look sometime.

"Dave Platt" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Tim Wescott wrote:

I think there's a lot of technically illegal radio building that's
tolerated
because it's not bothering anyone. Building your own 2mW transmitter and
using it for fun is a lot like driving at 90mph on a deserted freeway --
they're both illegal, but if you do it well the law will look the other
way.
This is how we all got away with those AM transmitters on our RatShack
100-in-1 project kits when we were kids.

Building your own transmitters that are within the rules for unlicensed
use
is technically illegal but practically OK (see above).

Actually, as I read it, if you homebrew a system which stays within
the FCC Part 15 limits, it's perfectly legal. The rules have a
specific "no certification required" exception for systems which are
built for home use, not-from-a-kit, in small quantities.

By all means go ahead and get a licence

Definitely!

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

... big thanks to everyone for their comments , i downloaded p15 & p97
and understand much better .

... if i want to measure the output of my little transmitter i have a
friend who has access to this neato little digital meter which
displays .001-2000 uW/cm**2 , power field density or something (?) ,
..... mmm but the fcc paperwork describes field strength uV/M ?? ...
scratchin my head ... stan

(er i guess i could just take the test and not worry about this since
it is only a 50mW transmitter)

In article , "Tim Wescott"
writes:

And the US government will refer to it as "Part 15 of CFR 47" -- CFR 47
being volume 47 of the code of federal regulations. If you get if from the
gov'ment as a book it will come bound with other parts -- my 1992 set of CFR
47 has three volumes.

Suggestion: Go to the FCC website and click the Office of Engineering
and Technology button (to the right). OET page will let you access
Part 15 rules directly instead of going to the Government Printing Office
site and doing small (free) downloads of any portion of Parts of the
Code of Federal Regulations.

My 1995 set of 47 C.F.R. was five volumes and cost $120. GPO has
branch offices in most of the larger cities of the USA. No shipping
charges. Individual volumes are available. Part 15 is still available
free over the Internet.

Len Anderson
retired (from regular hours) electronic engineer person