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FCC cites distributor for marketing unauthorized RF device
The FCC has sent an official Citation
to Tower Products Inc of Saugerties, New York, for marketing an
unauthorized RF device capable of operating on 70 cm Amateur Radio
frequencies. The FCC contends that the product in question, the “Laird
Telemedia model LTM-WAVE-AG Wireless Monitoring System” (LTM-WAVE-AG),
requires FCC certification. As an “intentional emitter,” the device
cannot be operated legally under Part 15 rules. The device is not a
Part 97 transmitter, which would not require FCC
certification, because it can transmit on spectrum not allocated to the
Amateur Radio Service. Additionally, the devices, the FCC said, bore an
FCC identification number assigned to another device. The FCC said
Tower has acknowledged that the LTM-WAVE-AG is not certified and that
it marketed the device in the US, apparently in violation of §302(b) of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and §2.803(a) of the FCC
rules. In addition, the FCC asserts, Tower apparently violated
§2.2304(a) of the rules by importing an RF device that did not meet one
or more of 10 specified import conditions, and §2.1204(b) by being
unable to document compliance with import conditions. The FCC warned
Tower that future such violations could lead to fines of up to $11,000
“for each violation or each day of a continuing violation.”
Chips on DVDs could prevent theft
New technology designed to thwart DVD theft makes discs unplayable until they’re activated at the cash register. A chip smaller than the head of a pin is placed onto a DVD along with a thin coating that blocks a DVD player from reading critical information on the disc. At the register, the chip is activated and sends an electrical pulse through the coating, turning it clear and making the disc playable. The radio frequency identification chip is made by NXP Semiconductors, based in the Netherlands, and the Radio Frequency Activation technology comes from Kestrel Wireless, based in Emeryville. The two companies are talking to Hollywood studios and expect to announce deals this summer, Kestrel Wireless Chief Executive Paul Atkinson said. The companies said their technology also can be used to protect electric shavers, ink jet cartridges, flash memory drives and even flat-screen TV sets by preventing some critical element from functioning unless activated. Retail theft of entertainment products, including video games, accounts for as much as $400 million in annual losses, according to the Entertainment Merchants Association. Many retailers now keep consumer-entertainment products behind glass cases, but that can inhibit browsing. With technology that renders stolen products useless, retailers could display items openly, thus encouraging more sales, said Mark Fisher, vice president for strategic initiatives at the EMA. “It will also get product into a lot more outlets that are afraid of theft, including grocers,” Fisher said.
RADIO AMATEURS CAN DO MUCH TO STIMULATE THE IONOSPHERE
South Africa’s Space Research Institute says Radio Amateurs can do much to heat up the ionosphere and improve DX conditions, this the SARL was told by a prominent space weather researcher. “By many amateurs transmitting at the same time the resultant RF hitting the ionosphere will cause it to ionise and become active like during the high sunspot years”, he said. He made the point that during major DX contests the 10 metre band opens up while the day before and the day immediately after the contest the band is dead. This conclusively proves the point that high RF levels impacting on the ionosphere does the trick. (sarl news, via RSGB) )
GB3LEX 10GHz Beacon Operational
GB3LEX, the 10GHz beacon located at the Leicestershire Repeater group site near Junction 22 of the M1 motorway, became operational on its assigned frequency of 10368.955MHz during the afternoon of 15 April. It beams south and ahs a beamwidth of 90 degrees. The ERP is 0.5W. Reception reports would be welcome to Geoff, G4AFJ , telephone 01 455 823344. [GB2RS]
Contact Les, at: lesmcclure@comcast.net
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