Excellent set-up John - very nicely put together. A rather splendid looking radio too!
John isn't in the US Jeffrey, he's in Geneva, Switzerland, and though Switzerland isn't in the EU, it's subject to the same restrictions as to transmitting equipment as we are in the UK, as set out in the EU R&TTE directive and EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, which can be found here:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/r...-20_en.pdf
The geographic scope of the Directives is outlined in 1.1.1:
Quote:
1.1.1 Geographic scope:
The Directive applies throughout the European Union, that is to say in all Member States of the European Union. It is also applied in non-member countries if there is a relevant agreement. For example, it applies to the Contracting States of the European Economic Area (EEA), that is to say, the 27 Member States of the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. In accordance with aMutual Recognition Agreement between Switzerland and the EU, the Directive is transposed in Switzerland. It applies in Turkey pursuant to the EU-Turkey Customs Union.
End quote.
There are certain LPDs - 'low power devices' on the market, which conform to the regulations and are CE approved to enable such things as MP3 players to be played through 'in-car-entertainment' systems (ICE) – car radios in other words, but nothing that I'm aware of which can be legally used for short-range transmission on any mode, including FM and AM. (There are scores of legal LPDs of course - car key fobs, remote control garage door openers, wireless door bells, room thermostats, baby alarms, and so on).
A widely used short-range AM transmitter illegally used in the UK (which, surprisingly perhaps, can be used legally in paranoid America) is known as the ‘Spitfire’. I believe that Ofcom has made half-hearted attempts to stop the sale of them, but from an enforcement perspective, it doesn't keep OFCOM awake at night - it's just not on their radar. As Jeffrey says, London and most cities in the UK have several illegal pirate radio broadcast stations which OFCOM are forever trying to shut down.
One UK supplier has found a novel way to sell these 'Spitfire' units by shifting the onus onto the purchaser by making the purchase of them subject to the following terms:
Quote:
EU R&TTE directive and EMC Directive 2004/108/EC - in order to purchase this item, you must agree that:-
1. You intend to export the item to an address outside the European Union. Under no circumstances will this item be resold or put into service within the European Union.
or
2. The item will only be used within a completely RF screened and shielded metal enclosure or environment for testing, evaluation, experimental or laboratory purposes and any other use that does not radiate electro-magnetic waves into free space. I am not an unqualified end user and I have RF engineering and electromagnetic compatibility skills at my disposal.
or
3. For use by a Licensed Radio Amateur on 160M Band
End quote.
http://www.6v6.co.uk/transmitters/spitfi...er-eu.html
Another UK company - Quasar Electronics - which sells a wide range of low power transmitter kits is rather more strict about it. Here’s an example of a low power 2 transistor FM ‘bug’. As will be noted, if anyone in the UK or wider EU attempts to place an order, it will be cancelled and any money paid will be refunded.
Quote:
This 2-transistor 3V surveillance 'bug' Electronic kit gives exceptionally clear and stable performance given its low price and simplicity. And because it has a lower output power battery life is significantly extended.
• Transmits to 300 metres plus in the open or 50 metres inside buildings with 3V supply
• Can be received on a standard FM radio
• Highly sensitive built-in electret microphone
• User adjustable transmitting frequency (just requires a small screwdriver)
• !! NOT FOR SALE IN THE UK or EU!! Please do not order this item if you live in the UK or EU. The item will be removed from your order and refunded accordingly.
Unquote.
https://www.quasarelectronics.co.uk/Item...ransmitter
My son has a Spitfire - it works very well.
I've built a couple of 'Mini-Mod' home-brew AM micro-transmitters which have a range of just a few feet and work well if placed close to an AM receiver on MW. I've referred to that in another thread.
For all practical purposes, Ofcom's stance is evocative of that quaint term so beloved of the US armed forces in less enlightened times in another context - 'Don't Ask - Don't Tell'. Though I've outlined the regulatory framework, I don't think we need concern ourselves with it, and just do what we need to so that we can enjoy listening to our AM radios, which would otherwise be simple ornamental as fewer and fewer stations are on the AM bands, and as in Geneva, the FM band too is slowly losing out to DAB - only hanging on due to the millions of cars which only have AM/FM radios. It would be disastrous for commercial broadcasters to not be allowed to continue transmitting on FM with so few DAB radios in cars, there would be a hug loss of listeners, and hence, advertising revenue.
Waffled and dribbled Yorkie.
