KC0IV, I apologize if you took that to mean you, by the time I had gotten to that point in the message, it had basically become general in nature. That post started directed towards you, at the statment regarding the when and where, which was in the original post. And I did place the (whoever), which was meant to direct to those that it would apply to.

I try not to imply that anyone does anything illegal, until that point were they have basically incriminated themselves or admitted to wrongdoing.

As far as the PA law or whether or not the feds were involved, I have no idea, like I said, I was waived through the checkpoint and not inspected, thus did not have the oppurtunity to ask. I personally saw the confiscated equipment on the back of a PennDot Truck next to the inspection area. The article in the paper that I read was in actual print, so I made the mistake (I suppose) of assuming it would be in their online archive.


I far as binary and morse code, your statements and fact make since, but, no matter how you stack it, Morse Code has been credited as being the first form of digital communication, regardless of current definitions. I cannot find the article copy, but an article printed in QST magazine, back in the '60's referenced Morse Code as being the first digital form of communication. That was my only point, it is the grandfather to what is known as digital today.

Another note, I draft and sent an e-mail to the FCC Enforcement Division today, referencing several issues that have been brought up on this and other threads. With any luck I will receive a response in a few days, and will be happy to share the findings.

They have come down hard on radio shops over the last year or so for selling non-type accepted radios and/or making modifications to such radios. I suppose the fixed targets are easier to enforce than the moving ones. There are several references on the FCC Enforcement site, but make note, there is a disclaimer on the site stating, that not all current, pending or past actions are posted on the site. This may well explain the lack of information regarding actions against individuals or companies.

 

MY intent is, first of all, to imform the drivers that there is something wrong, and that the use of the "10 Meter" radios actually violates the law. Many people have been led down a primrose path to believe that there is a "freeband" or "extra" channels for CBers to use as they see fit. They have rationalized this as "OK since them people ain't using them channels nowhow". This is NOT true. The facts are:

1. ALL operators of any kind of radio transmitters are responsible to READ the rules governing their radio service in which they are engaged.

2. CB Radio is governed by Part 95 of the US Code. FEW CBers bother to
read these rules, relying instead on myth and CB legend as to what operators are allowed to do.

3. Shops sell the "10 Meter 'Amateur' Radios" because of the lure of "extra channels and more power. They are, in fact, illegal to SELL or to USE by unlicensed operators ON the CB band, and illegal to use ON the actual 10 Meter band without a valid license issued by FCC.

4. Operators, seeking the quiet channel, the exclusive channel, the "truckers' channel", then use their 'band' switches to find their way up into the 10 Meter band, the most popular frequency being 28.085 using the AM mode.

5. Licensed operators hear these operators, usually truck drivers because it so happens that the radios are more likely to be promoted and sold in truck stops, and begin to "lay" for these drivers by observing, recording, and reporting their transmissions to FCC.

6. Companies then get warned to stop their drivers from engaging in this practice.


Without arguing how often drivers get caught, how often they may or may not have been fined, the odds are that eventually YOU will be caught transmitting on frequencies on which you have NO business. Yes, it is a gamble. Is the gamble worth taking? You never know if one of the legitimate users of 10 meters is listening or quietly driving along beside you documenting your activity! You will NEVER even KNOW you have been targeted until you get the letter.

The best course of action for the users of these illegal radios AND illegal (for you) frequencies is to cease operating there and return to the legal 40 CB frequencies! You can get away with a LOT within those channels so long as you don't splatter onto the nearby spectrum! It is when you are found outside the legal 40 that you are likely to get popped!~

RR

 

we get it already

 

Yeah, well he doesn't get the hint and never will.

 

maybe we could find him a girlfriend, he obviously needs something to do

 

To continually insult the guy does not help your point, and in fact is quite childish. Try by returning some form of intelligent conversation, or do not reply at all.

Seems you guys reply just to annoy him, thus giving him more reason to prove his point.

 

He annoys me so I am returning the favor, if you dont want to read it, then dont.

 

Some of actually enjoy the technical aspects of what he has to say, as it is based on truth and fact. So you annoy me, guess that makes us even! But I do not continually insult you, get the point!

 

countryhorseman,

What I can't get through RadioRay's head is the F.C.C. doesn't devote much time to illegal operations. They simply don't have the man-power. As greg3564 showed in his post on Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:45 pm. By in large enforcement amounts to writing a letter as the stats shows. But when you read post by RadioRay one would be lead to believe the F.C.C. is out there in full force and every illegal operation will be caught. Just like the post on Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:19 pm where he says: "the odds are that eventually YOU will be caught transmitting on frequencies on which you have NO business." Which simply isn't true.

The other point is RadioRay's postings are limited to nothing but this type of postings on this and other newsgroups. Which really serves no purpose except it gives "ham radio" a bad image by "non-hams." The vast majority of truckers know these radios are illegal. To me a much better approach is to direct these people toward "ham radio." As an example. When people have ask me how to do something that is illegal my normal reply is I'm sorry. I can't give you that type of information since what you want to do is illegal." On the other hand when someone ask me about tuning an antenna or what kind of coax he/she should use, even if I pretty sure it is for a illegal operation, I will give them the information as best as I know. I don't make a big deal about using it for illegal operations. In my opinion I haven't turned off this trucker by a holyer than thou attitude.

The illegal modifications of radios for CB operations has gone on for years. I remember, when I worked for a major "ham" dealer back in the '70s, they had several transmitters that had been setup for CB operations. I might add the engineer in charge of the district office ( a license "ham") was a regular customer and was fully aware of these transmitters and never said a word other than it was a shame these transmitters had little market value for "ham" operations. That was back in the era when CBers were using such radios as Johnson Desk Kilowatt and Collins KWS-1. And I wouldn't hazard a guess on how may 100 watt transmitters were converted to CB operations. Back then there was a company in KC that would grind a crystal for putting a transmitter on any frequency the customer wanted. The only thing that has changed is the players and the type of radios being used.

kc0iv

 

truckers know it's illegal to speed, but a lot of them do it. telling them every day that it's illegal isnt going to stop them.. it's the same thing. when they get caught, they will stop.