Kits are one thing...

[W3WN]

From today's FCC Digest:

The FCC entered a consent decree with Mr. Richard Mann, dba The Antique Radio Collector. See http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Rele...A-12-574A1.pdf for full details.

In a nutshell: Mr. Mann was ordering unbuilt/unassembled AM BCB transmitter kits (which are legal to sell -- as kits), model AMT3000, from an outfit called SSTRAN; assembling them; and then selling the "fully assembed" transmitters. The assembed units must first passs FCC certification, unlike the kits (which as sold are just a collection of parts, after all).

Whoops!

The initial fine was $7000, reduced to $130. And he promises not to be a naughty boy again.

[KG4CGC]

Next time he won't get caught as easily.

[N8YX]

Next time he won't get caught as easily.

Correct.

[WØTKX]

May I suggest a business arrangement with a mailing address in Hong Kong,? ;)

[n2ize]

Does this mean that if I assemble a homebrew ham transmitter I can never sell it ? What about old gear that is not FCC accepted ? can I sell a Valiant, a Viking 1 / 2 or a Globe King 500 ? Or are ham transmitters of these types exempt ?

[N2RJ]

Does this mean that if I assemble a homebrew ham transmitter I can never sell it ? What about old gear that is not FCC accepted ? can I sell a Valiant, a Viking 1 / 2 or a Globe King 500 ? Or are ham transmitters of these types exempt ?

I think you can sell assembled ham transmitters. You can sell amps too but there are restrictions. Only licensed hams are allowed to build amps for use below 144MHz without certification. You are selling gear for use in the amateur service and our license allows us to build and modify equipment for amateur use.

In fact, a lot of people used builders for hire to build their Elecraft K2 transceivers. Perfectly legal.

The problem here is that Mr. Mann was selling broadcast transmitters for use on the AM BC band. That's a different service, different set of rules.

[W3WN]

Does this mean that if I assemble a homebrew ham transmitter I can never sell it ? What about old gear that is not FCC accepted ? can I sell a Valiant, a Viking 1 / 2 or a Globe King 500 ? Or are ham transmitters of these types exempt ?

No, you can sell it... or them. Different situation.

You are an individual, not a business, selling personal items individually. You are not offering for sale as a commercial entity assembled transmitters to anyone who wants to buy one, ie, the mass market. Further, you as an individual are dealing with equipment intended for use in the Amateur Service, which has less stringent rules for what we used to call Type Acceptance. The rules for commercial sales for equipment designed to be used as commercial broadcast band transmitters are very different & much more stringent.

Hey, I don't fault the guy for trying to make a buck. He was buying kits, assembling them (adding value), and then reselling them. His incorrect assumption was that since the kit sales was legal... as it would be since it's just a collection of parts which may be used for other purposes... his value-add would be as well; only he was now selling broadcast band transmitters that were not FCC certified for any radio service, not even Part 15.

[XE1/N5AL]

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[NQ6U]

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[N2RJ]

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Is that what you meant to say?