Funny what you find on ebay these days.

[ed731pdh]

Hmmmm.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/iTx-Mini-Tube-...lephony_SM&hash=item27d95bb3a4

[Tedzed1]

They have been selling these for quite some time, they also sell the spitfire transmitter,
apparently they work quite well.



http://www.6v6.co.uk/cp/scripts/prodList...ategory=68

[Nick]

They have been selling these for quite some time, they also sell the spitfire transmitter, apparently they work quite well.

I have a Spitfire as a pantry transmitter for my AM radios - nice box.

I also have an SSTRAN AMT3000 (http://www.sstran.com/#AMT3000) which is, IMHO, much better quality.

However, both are good kits.

I would have built my own out of bits of string and whatever I had in the parts bin, but the truth is I'm a digital & LF analogue guy, not an RF one...

[Yorkie]

See the footnote on the conditions of sale:

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 (Kits Only)

These and similar equipment including the Spitifire are unlicensable anywhere in the European Union, though paradoxically, in paranoid America, the Spitfire and similarly commercially made equipment is permitted by the FCC, including for the use of low power community broadcasting. Initially the website did not carry the above conditions of purchase, but if my information is correct, they were taken to task by Ofcom.

I can't imagine that anyone who buys this equipment has the slightest intention of complying with the terms they agreed to - it would make a nonsense of buying it if all one intended to do was to export it or to put it in a completely shielded box so that it didn't radiate any RF - to do so would be to render the transmitter incapable of doing what's its whole purpose in life is - to transmit!

I've little doubt that if Ofcom had a mind to, it could come down on the seller and I don't think that the onus can be shifted onto the buyer by the wording above. Anyone using such equipment contravenes the WT Act, but since Ofcom are governed by the 'principle of proportionality' and need to demonstrate that any restrictions they impose and any enforcement action they take is both proportionate and necessary to reduce or eliminate any perceived risks, I can't imagine that they would take enforcement action unless and until such equipment interferes with other spectrum users, notably the Emergency Services, Air Traffic Control and so forth. Clearly it doesn't, so it becomes a matter of 'don't ask - don't tell, keep on not minding'.

Back in 2010 I decided to take Ofcom to task for not permitting the use of micro-power transmitters, given that there is plethora of licence free wireless PMR equipment ('walkie talkie's), wireless intercoms, central heating programmers and thermostats, wireless doorbells, baby alarms, intercoms, intruder alarms, 'I-trips' for use in in cars, remote car key fobs, CB radio and so forth.

I could see no reason why - if something complies with the FCC requirements, it should not satisfy Ofcom. I engaged in extensive correspondence with Ofcom but it quickly became apparent that Ofcom isn't master of its own destiny, and will only alter its stance if the EC Directives are relaxed. Here's a clip from correspondence I had with Ofcom Enforcement team back in 2010. (Ofcon's comments in purple, with my response in black):

Thank you for your reply, on which I would comment as follows:


>I do not think that we at Ofcom have ever received a complaint of interference attributed to the type of apparatus that you mention.

That in itself, suggests that perhaps Ofcom might consider legalising them, or taking a lead in the EU to make a step in that direction.
Meanwhile, there sale, use and proliferation continues unabated.

>The application that you make reference to appears to be for a very >low power device, even perhaps inductive.

True – it’s a very low power device but it’s not inductive - there’s no doubting that it is an amplitude modulated medium wave transmitter, and described as such. Thus, from information that you’ve already provided me, not licensable in the UK, but as I intimated, I think that complaints would be unlikely due to the fact that the RF transmit output from this Spitfire” micro transmitter” is only10mW.

However, the device does transmit across the entire medium wave band and is marketed as a Community Broadcast Transmitter as well as for use by vintage radio enthusiasts as a wireless input device from any source to a vintage Medium Wave valve radio. The supplier makes it clear on his website use as a community broadcast transmitter is permissible in the US only. However, since he makes no such statement with regard to the use in the UK by vintage radio enthusiasts, many are inferring (erroneously it seems) that such use must therefore be permitted – others seem not to care one way or the other.

Quote:

“So you want to run a "Low Power AM" Local Community Radio Station, and need a 100mw FCC- compliant AM Medium Wave transmitter. (US ONLY) The Spitfire low power (100mw) AM modulator is designed for just that purpose. It is a small mains powered unit, which connects to any mono or stereo source and provides a high-quality AM output, which may be tuned across the MW band.

End quote

Clearly for that purpose, it would need an efficient antenna.

I’m sorry to keep labouring the point – after all, Ofcom is the UK regulator – not me, but I would appreciate answers to the following questions:

1) If Ofcom became aware of a user of such equipment, what enforcement action - if any - would be likely? (Words of advice, confiscation of the equipment, a warning letter, court action?)

2) Given that these devices are unlikely to cause interference – especially to the emergency services, air traffic control etc, is the proliferation and use of such devices something that Ofcom is content to “turn a blind eye to” and would rather not know about, bearing in mind that enforcement activity must be proportionate, necessary and prioritised, and this is surely towards the bottom on the list?

3) These ingenious devices do fulfil a growing need by citizens, and though presently illegal, their use can hardly be described as anti-social. Do you consider that there is scope for Ofcom to take a lead in enabling these MW devices (with a limit of 100 milliwatts RF output) to become licence exempt within the EU?

4) When you say that it’s unlawful to place such devices on the market in the UK, would that still apply if the supplier were to state “Not licensable by Ofcom in the UK”? At least that way, the customer would be buying with their eyes open.

Ho hum.

(Re (4) above, hence the disclaimer appeared on the website no doubt).

All good clean fun, even if it is unlawful

(One of my sons has a Spitfire for use with his Ekco A22 - it works very well. I blame the parents).

Dribbled, rambled and waffled Yorkie.

[pwdrive]

I wonder if Ext. Mod. on a sig gen would work?

Lawrence.

[Joe]

Yes, but not very well.

- Joe

[Nick]

Yes, but not very well.

Works for me.

I wonder if Ext. Mod. on a sig gen would work?

Works a treat - I use it for testing sensitivity AM & FM sets in the workshop and aligning IF stages... HP8904A or HP8657B do it nicely.

[Tedzed1]

I suppose it would make us all micro pirates

[boiss]

The SW option is a recipe for disaster. I don't reckon regular amateurs would be very happy with this stuff on their bands. 100mw and 30ft of wire will go a long way on 7MHz...............
Mike

[Refugee]

I would just pipe it through a coax and strip a little bit of braid behind each set and wrap a few turns of wire round the inner and add it to the AE socket on the back of each set.
There is no need to put the signal to air.