[AMPS] FCC Actions at Dayton

[Rich Measures]

>
>Aloha,,
>
>Jon wrote,  in part:
>
>> Anywho, I just hope that it doesn't go so far that if someone literally 
>> has a 4CX10,000 amp that they don't get written up.  Nothing in the law 
>> states that amplifier capability is limited only the power you put into 
>> the antenna.  Just like a car that can go 150 but is driven at 65.
>
>Yes,  it is my understaanding,  and may not be correct,  that what
>you own is not the issue.  

€  Certainly.  Also, a ham radio operator who is also a MARS member is 
allowed to run c. 10db more suds (than the ham limit) on certain MARS 
frequencies. 

> The issue is how you use what you own!
>And,  I have not looked it up in Part 97,  but I presume there is
>a restriction on what can be sold as far as output power goes to
>an amateur within the USA;  amps of greater capability,  evidently
>can only be sold legally to export customers?  Is this correct by
>codified law,  or is it just an executive decision by the FCC?
>
€  Congress gave the FCC the right to make rules. 

>Para. 97.313 Transmitter Power Standards
>
>(a) Use minimum power necessary to carry out the desired
>communication. (some words  left out)
>
>(b) No station may transmit with a power exceeding 
>1.5 kW PEP.
>
>and more words also,  but the above speak to the HF power
>issue for those above Novice and Tech.
>
>Para 97.315  Type acceptance of external RF power amplifiers.
>
>(a)  No more than 1 unit of 1 model of an external power amplifier
>capable of operation below 144 MHz may be constructed or
>modified during any calendar year by an amateur operator 
>for use at a station without a grant of type acceptance.
>
>and then follows much more about gain of the amps, etc,  and
>even another Para 97.317 regarding standard for type
>acceptance.
>
>It would appear,  that nowhere is it mentioned what can be
>owned,  only what can be operated PEP in the amateur
>bands.  Also,  if the amplifiers were monobanders,  it
>would seem that an amateur could build 1 each of a model
>specific to each amateur band per year,  or a total of
>nine 1model (monoband) amplifiers,  one for each of the
>nine HF bands.  Of course,  the 30 meter external
>amplifier must be limited to 200 watts PEP.
>
€  Meanwhile, just across the border, in Canada and in Mexico, the limit 
is 1500w PEP.  
Also, our brother Mexican hams can use SSB on 30m.  

>Interesting to note that the FCC requires that amplifiers
>capable of output of 1.5kW PEP must have no more
>gain than 15 dB.
>
€    The apparent intent of the bureaucrats is to ban ham radio 
amplifiers that can be driven with FCC type-accepted CB radios.  However, 
serious CBers purchase general coverage ham radio transceivers and FCC 
type-accepted ham radio amplifiers.  It takes little time for a 
semi-technician to wire around the official CB-filter in such an amp., 
tweak the 15m tuned-input, short a turn or two on the 15m tank inductor, 
and the amplifier is ready for maxi-suds 27MHz operation.  

>Hope that is the correct answer to how many amplifiers can
>an amateur build per year:  one per band,  I think.
>
€  I think it doesn't matter, Jim.  How are the FCC's bureaucrats going 
to prove that you built any of the monoband amplifiers in your shack?   . 
 As I see it, the main things are not to cause interference and not to 
cause injury or discomfort to feathered friends who might alight on our 
aerials.  .  

-  cheers



Rich...

R. L. Measures, 805-386-3734, AG6K, www.vcnet.com/measures  


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