[AMPS] FCC certification - how do they do it?

[Charley Schwartz]

FCC 97.315 clearly states that an amplifier may be modified by an amateur radio operator (1 per year).

FCC 97.317 stated the requirements for type certification. Any input attenuating device which will allow the amplifier to develop full output with less than 50 watts of drive when the attenuating device is removed is not elegible for type certification. This eliminates the use of a 4-5 watt CB transmitter from driving a converted commercial (and type accepted) amplifier to full output.

No where in FCC Part 97 is anythong written than states it is illegal or imapprioprate for a manufacturer to provide technical information regarding the design, operation or modification to a third party.

The FCC Part 97 rules are available at www.fcc.gov and at www.arrl.org

Charley W1TE
>
>From: "Tom Rauch" <w8ji@contesting.com>
>Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2000 11:44:59 -0400
>To: "Fred Fliss" <fredfffff@hotmail.com>, <amps@contesting.com>,
>   "Phil Clements" <philk5pc@tyler.net>
>Subject: Re: [AMPS] FCC certification - how do they do it?
>
>
>> > <FF enquiry: How is it legal, therefore, for a commercial ham amplifier
>> > manufacturer to offer, even to licensed hams, information that enables
>> > operation on 10 meters?  The ability to opearate on 10 meters is
>> > effectively disallowed by subpart 97.317 (1)>
>> 
>> This information is furnished under seperate cover AFTER the amp is
>> purchased by the end user. If operation above 15 meters is not possible
>> during type acceptance testing, the amp passes this regulation.
>
>Technically even that is questionable, although if the manufacturer 
>asks for a copy of a valid license then the FCC considers it OK. 
>The reasoning is it isn't contrary to FCC rules for an amateur to 
>modify his own gear.
>
>It is absolutely illegal to ship any amplifier that does not comply 
>with the terms for type acceptance to any end-user in the USA. 
>That includes amateurs, and it includes adding ten meters for them 
>as a "service" or "favor".
> 
>> It is perfectly legal for an amateur to modify his equipment after
>> purchasing it. The "after-market" instructions are therefore just as legal
>> as instructions on how to extend the frequency coverage of a 
>transceiver.
>
>Technically they are not legal, but the FCC has always turned a 
>blind eye as long as the manufacturer makes sure the end-user is 
>an amateur. That was a big point of debate when the rules were 
>created, and a verbal resolution.
>
>The FCC clearly drew the line, and the line was drawn at the point 
>where manufactures do the mod for the end-user.
>
>
>73, Tom W8JI
>w8ji@contesting.com
>
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