Ramsey Electronics gets busted by FCC

[Bill, KD0HG]

From the "Walking the Plank" department
Via the M Street Journal:

The FCC's been investigating Ramsey Electronics of Victor, NY for years and last week it slapped the maker of low power transmitters and kits with a $25,000 Notice of Apparent Liability. The Commission says Ramsey's FM transmitters and power amplifiers, which operate with as much as 40 watts, aren't type-approved. And even though Ramsey says the higher-powered units are meant for export only, the FCC alleges that Ramsey's still selling the units to customers within the U.S.

[Herb K2VH]

That's only 40 miles from here.  I never even heard of them!

Herb

[Paul, K2ORC]

That's something.  Ramsey kits are all over the place, Herb.  I own a few including a low power FM xmtr (NOT the 40w variety mentioned in the article).  They sell receiver kits, QRP kits, all kinds of stuff, RF and non RF.   

The Ramsey NAL hasn't showed up on the FCC's NAL/Citation page as of today.

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/

[John Holotko]

Hmmmm... It seems like the Feds don'tlike  Ramsey very much. About ten years ago they were  busted by the FBO or Secret service for selling FM Wirless transmitter kits that could be used for eavesdropping projects. Now, ten years later the FCC busts them for selling FM transmitter and amp kits.  Personally I feel the person who should be liable should be the person who buys and  misuses the kits. For example if I buy a 40 watt  FM  transmitter and  set up an unauthorized broadcast station then I can/should be held liable for  infringement. besides, it really doesn't matter if Ramsey sells  these kits or  not. Dozens of other companies sells similar stuff on line. And besides, anyone with a schematic and a Digi-Key or Mouser catalog can build  themselves up  40+ watt bcast station pretty easilly.

BTW I built up a Ramsey  QRP 40 Meter CW ham transmitter many years ago. Damned  thing worked great.

[KB2WIG]

Herb, They useda sell at the Rockchester fest...




I think the FM B'cast might have caused some waves...  CORPORATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!  . ?? Maybee some competition for the local (media Giants) talent.




I hope the candy co. goes after outfits like Cooper, and the truck stops that sell "10m" stuff to the "CB"ers, freebanders, whatever havvue... Ramsey is small potatoes.....   klc

[w3jn]

There's been a rash of people re-braodcasting the Howard Stern show on pirate FM xmitters.  Most likely the FCC would go do the other million or so things that are important, but since it's Howard Stern and nobody under the age of 18 could ever be permitted to hear the "F" word lest the world melt, priorities apparently have been rearranged.

[KB2WIG]

JN
    ... could be taken on holiday..........  My conspiracy guess is that the FCC encourages rebroadcast of Howard, thereby closing him down and then burning him like a steak.......  klc