Garmin Rino

Vaughn wrote:
It is legal in the US unless there is a specific prohibition in the FCC
regulations for that particular radio service. I believe the Rinho uses the
unlicensed PCS frequencies which (since they are unlicensed) are virtually
ungovernable. Even if it were illegal, the FCC field offices are few and
undermanned and have far more pressing matters to attend to.

FYI, unlicensed does not mean unregulated. The Garmin Rino actually
uses the unlicensed FRS (Family Radio Service) frequencies, which are
designated in the applicable CFRs for voice services only, data
transmissions are explicitly prohibited. Garmin had to obtain a waiver
from the FCC to manufacture a device with data transmission capabilities
in this frequency range. Among other things, the FCC placed
restrictions on the type and repetition rate of position reports. This
waiver only applies to Garmin, anyone else attempting to manufacture a
similar device would have to negotiate another waiver...

Marc

"Marc Ramsey" wrote in message
m...
Vaughn wrote:
It is legal in the US unless there is a specific prohibition in the FCC
regulations for that particular radio service. I believe the Rinho uses the
unlicensed PCS frequencies which (since they are unlicensed) are virtually
ungovernable. Even if it were illegal, the FCC field offices are few and
undermanned and have far more pressing matters to attend to.

FYI, unlicensed does not mean unregulated.

As a practical matter, at the user (not mfg.) level, the FRS is
unregulated. Just look at CB for an example. Hell, there are dozens of clearly
illegal pirate stations on the FM band here in Florida that are trivial to find,
yet some stay on the air for years at a time. The FCC is a very thin
organization.

The Garmin Rino actually
uses the unlicensed FRS (Family Radio Service) frequencies,

Yes, I ment to say FRS but somehow PCS slipped out of my keyboard.

which are
designated in the applicable CFRs for voice services only, data
transmissions are explicitly prohibited. Garmin had to obtain a waiver
from the FCC to manufacture a device with data transmission capabilities
in this frequency range. Among other things, the FCC placed
restrictions on the type and repetition rate of position reports. This
waiver only applies to Garmin, anyone else attempting to manufacture a
similar device would have to negotiate another waiver...

I didn't know that...thanks.

Vaughn



Marc