On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 00:03:11 GMT, SideBand wrote:


[6] to transmit music, whistling, sound effects or any material to
amuse or entertain;
[7] to transmit any sound effect solely to attract attention;


Not so sure they're 100% illegal:

1. It doesn't take internal modifications to transmit a roger beep on a
CB radio.

True.

External electronics can accomplish this. Microphones do not
have to be type accepted and can include this circuitry.

They can also add echo and other sound effects which are clearly an
"amusement" device. The FCC knows that it cannot certify every
conceivable accessory that might be connected to the mike jack. So
they regulate what you transmit, not what gets connected to the radio.


2. Roger beeps used for their intended purpose (that is, signaling the
end of a transmission) are not used "simply to attract attention", are
not intended to entertain, and do not violate any part of either of
these sections.

This is where the controversy is. Your assessment is valid, and it
would seem that since the FCC has allowed ETS signals on FRS radios,
(which also fall under part 95) that it would also stand to reason
that they would allow them on class "D" CB as well. The question is
why have they not made their position clear in the form of a rule
modification?

A valid ETS signal should consist of no more than a single short beep.
The multiple "K" beeps and those sequential musical tones clearly
still fall within the "amusement" category.

Many years ago the FCC stated that they considered ANY tone signal
other than one used for selective calling as "unnecessary" and
therefore illegal. They may have softened their position on it since.
This was back in the days before roger beeps became popular, but
little devices known as "birdies" were prevalent.

But it's evidently not clear to most radio manufacturers since, with
the exception of the Galaxy (Galaxy also has a reputation for pushing
the limits of the law) radio, no other domestic type accepted/approved
CB radio has an ETS as standard equipment. One has to wonder why that
is, if they are clearly legal.

In any case, the FCC does not seem to be overly interested in much
concerning CB radio these days.

Dave
"Sandbagger"
http://home.ptd.net/~n3cvj