In article ,
stan wrote:

1) as power increases at some point i will need to get a technician
class license , no problem as i will do that , but my question is at
what power level is this required ? can you point me to where this
is defined ?

The information you want is almost certainly in Title 47 of the Code
of Federal Regulations, Part 15. "This part sets out the regulations
under which an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator may
be operated without an individual license. It also contains the
technical specifications, administrative requirements and other
conditions relating to the marketing of part 15 devices."

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/w...7cfr15_02.html

Take a look at section 15.209, which covers radiated emission limits
for "intentional" radiators. The limits are not defined in terms of
transmitter power, but in terms of the field strength at a specific
distance and frequency... this takes antenna gain into account.

In general, I'd guess that if you buy one of the little commercial
modules which is intended for Part 15 operation, and use it with the
sort of antenna that they recommend, you'd be safely within the
emission limits. If you add a gain antenna, or an outboard power
amplifier, you'll need to simulate and/or test to make sure that you
aren't exceeding the specified limits.

2) i know building little transmitters for sale as a product requires
an FCC registration number ... but building only a couple for your own
use does not .. correct ? ( if so hams couldn't ever build their own
transmitters )

Several different sets of rules apply here, depending on whether
you're going to be justifying your use of the device under Part 15
(license-free) or Part 97 (Amateur Radio service).

For Part 15 operation:

Sec. 15.23 Home-built devices.

(a) Equipment authorization is not required for devices that are
not marketed, are not constructed from a kit, and are built in
quantities of five or less for personal use.

(b) It is recognized that the individual builder of home-built
equipment may not possess the means to perform the measurements
for determining compliance with the regulations. In this case, the
builder is expected to employ good engineering practices to meet
the specified technical standards to the greatest extent
practicable. The provisions of Sec. 15.5 apply to this equipment.

For Part 97 (Amateur Radio): in general, it is _not_ necessary to
have an FCC registration or certification to build or sell radio
equipment intended for use in the Amateur Radio bands. In this case,
the responsibility for the technical correctness of the equipment
belongs to the amateur-radio operator who actually uses it, and not to
the builder/seller. Amateur Radio is specifically designed as a
service intended to support experimentation.

There are some exceptions, having mostly to do with high-power
amplifiers and with equipment which could be used both on amateur
bands and other bands (which generally _do_ require certification).

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
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