[amsat-bb] Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers (WAS Re:Re:dream)

[Tony Langdon]

At 02:28 AM 7/8/2009, kd8bxp at aol.com wrote:

>I don't have the time or money to go into a legal battle with FCC - 
>and I don't want to loose my license if this is in their minds 
>illegal.  I am just not willing to do that -

Well, the worst case scenario I see is that because you acted in good 
faith, not with intent to break the rules, the FCC would write to you 
advising that they consider what you're doing to be illegal, please 
stop.  If you have any questions, please contact...

So, all you'd have to do if you got the letter would be to stop 
operating your pager transmitter, and THEN, since they initiated 
contact, give the FCC a call and discuss it further.

>There is no reason that I can see to break the law (maybe) and let 
>it sort itself out latter.

The rules are sometimes vague for a reason.  The FCC (or whoever) 
don't have a crystal ball, and can't fully predict which way 
technology will be develop or used.  If they see a problem, they will 
advise those they judge to be of concern.  I can't see them slapping 
a fine on you without warning, when you're not doing anything 
malicious.  Worst I'd expect is a cease and desist letter (and if you 
got one of those, THEN you'd better stop what they asked you to stop 
doing! :) ).

Speaking of rules, in Australia, there has been a trend towards 
taking out specifics (such as modes allowed on each band) and 
replacing them with more general limits, such as bandwidth.  This is 
another sign of the authorities saying we should organise our own 
sandpit to play in (they just tell us where we can play), but play 
nice and don't give anyone a "free ride" where they aren't allowed to go. :)

73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL
http://vkradio.com