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Rob[_8_] · December 24th 09, 11:13 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna

wrote:
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:14:04 +0000 (UTC), "Geoffrey S. Mendelson"
wrote:

wrote:
It is not illegal if it is done on an amateur frequency by a licensed amateur.

You forgot the words "in the US".
Is using WiFi equipment for ham radio legal?
Geoff.

I don't want to comment on the legal part of the puzzle (because I
already have a headache). However, it should be obvious that there's
a potential conflict between unlicensed Part 15 operation, and
licensed part 97 operation on 2.4GHz. Place your bets and blast a way
with kilowatts on 2.4Ghz. Will 800,000 licensed US hams prevail over
perhaps 300 million unlicensed wireless devices? Want to bet on who
will win before an FCC tribunal? If there is a conflict, I'll place
my bets on Part 15.

Since 2.4 GHz is basically line of sight, few hams work 2.4 GHz, and the
Part 15 devices running under Part 15 can hop to other frequencies
including frequencies outside the ham bands, I don't see a lot of
potential for conflicts.

In the Netherlands, the part of the 2400-2450 MHz band has been taken
away from radio amateurs except for use in the amateur satellite service.

This has been done to prevent interference to wireless devices, which
are limited to even lower power here.
Before this regulation change, a radio amateur could use higher powered
devices (e.g. from the US market) and build point-to-point links on
the lower channels with high EIRP.

But now it is no longer allowed. We can only use 2320-2400 MHz, so
any 802.11 devices first need to be modified to transmit below 2400.