[VHFcontesting] In response to the 900 MHz proposal for higher ERP for surgical RFID devices

[Nate Duehr]

I forget which specific mailing list had the first note about hams  
making sure to make comments on the official request to the FCC by a  
manufacturer who wanted a waiver to operate a 25W ERP unlicensed  
devices in operating rooms, for use in RFID tracking things used in  
surgeries, to make sure surgical items didn't end up inside the  
patients after surgeries.

Anyway, this news article hit the wires yesterday which has a much  
simpler "high tech" device I think the docs might be able to deal  
with.  (Maybe -- these are docs and nurses who can't count... but  
whatever.)
Bar codes to the rescue!
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/12/09/0645213
The real article is linked from Slashdot, of course... or the URL of  
the article is:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071208171847.htm

Another reason the variance shouldn't be given.  If a bar code scanner  
can do the job...

Well, anyway... just thought I'd share.

The comment period ends December 15th.  My comments are already in.   
Please feel free to reference the article as yet another reason not to  
allow the ERP increase, if you haven't sent in any comments yet.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-4606A1.pdf

The KISS principal strikes again.  If you had to add technology to  
something already complex, add SIMPLE technology that works.

The RF technology is simply not needed if a bar code will do the same  
job.

To file comments:

  Go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs
  Select "Submit a filing"
  Fill out the questionaire

--
Nate Duehr, WY0X
nate at natetech.com