"Robert Casey" wrote:

Well, aside from the web address having
"cb" embedded in it, they don't specify
that these things are not intended for ham
radio service.... ;-) (snip)


It doesn't matter whether these things are intended for the ham radio
service or not. If they're at all capable of operating on the frequencies in
and/or around the CB band, they're illegal to sell under existing FCC rules.
Likewise, when it comes to the frequencies near the CB band (including the
ham frequencies - the 10m band, for example), there are now even
restrictions on how many amplifiers a licensed ham can sell, even to other
licensed hams. The rules have changed over the last few years. It would be
wise to keep up with those changes.


And they didn't mention how much drive is
needed to work these amps. It may be less
than the usual 100W a ham transciever puts
out. ;-)


Not relevant to this issue under the existing rules.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

Dwight Stewart wrote:

"Robert Casey" wrote:


Well, aside from the web address having
"cb" embedded in it, they don't specify
that these things are not intended for ham
radio service.... ;-) (snip)




It doesn't matter whether these things are intended for the ham radio
service or not. If they're at all capable of operating on the frequencies in
and/or around the CB band, they're illegal to sell under existing FCC rules.
Likewise, when it comes to the frequencies near the CB band (including the
ham frequencies - the 10m band, for example), there are now even
restrictions on how many amplifiers a licensed ham can sell, even to other
licensed hams. The rules have changed over the last few years. It would be
wise to keep up with those changes.



In theory, the way the web site is written, these amps might work on say
80 meters.
And not be usable between 24 and 35MHz. Maybe have an easily removable trap
centered around 27MHz to make it legal to sell. Sure. The web site
doesn't say what
frequencies these amps will work on. But I think everyone can guess
what these
amps will really do.

"Robert Casey" wrote:

In theory, the way the web site is written, these
amps might work on say 80 meters. And not be
usable between 24 and 35MHz. Maybe have
an easily removable trap centered around
27MHz to make it legal to sell. Sure. The web
site doesn't say what frequencies these amps
will work on. But I think everyone can guess
what these amps will really do.


Even that would not make the amps legal. Under the existing rules, even
equipment that can be modified to operate in or around the CB band is
illegal to sell. The devices must be built with those frequencies firmly
locked out, with no way to restore those frequencies without major
modifications to the device. This is the same mentality as used for scanners
and cellular frequencies - the scanner must be designed at the core level
(software, hardware, or both) not to accept those frequencies (a simple
jumper or resister lock out is not enough because it can be easily
modified).

Of course, a rule is only as good as the enforcement. In the case of CB
devices, the FCC has been rather lackluster in their efforts to enforce
those rules. Because of that, only the major manufacturers (Cobra, Uniden,
etc) have complied. Easily modified equipment from lesser manufacturers, and
so-called imported equipment, is widely available through CB radio catalogs
and retail stores (and home-built amps are available in just about every
town).


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

"BA" wrote:

(snip) hams running around acting as self-
appointed enforcement officers are not only
fooling themselves but are treading on
dangerous ground, considering the unsavory
types of people who often buy and operate
this type of gear.


Perhaps all the more reason for Ham Operators, and anyone else, to want
these guys off this country's radio frequencies.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/