[Elecraft] Which Amp ?

[Don Wilhelm]

OK, I will get a bit into this fray before it is closed.

My understanding --

Any *manufactured* amplifier that is sold in the US (by a manufacturer 
or distributor) must have 15dB or less gain.
Also there must not be a simple way to modify it to a greater gain.
That is the way I read the FCC rules.

BUT any amateur may build an amplifier with greater gain for himself, 
and can sell the same at a hamfest or other flea markets without 
restriction.  But he cannot be a manufacturer or distribute multiple 
amplifiers of that type.

So it is perfectly legal to sell an individual amplifier with greater 
than 15dB gain - it is NOT legal to do so on a commercial basis.

So, if the stock SPE amplifiers being sold in the US have greater than 
15dB of gain as they come from the manufacturer or distributor, they are 
not legal for sale in the US.
Other countries do not have similar restrictions.

I will not post further on this topic.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/24/2018 6:19 PM, W8JH wrote:
> Paul,
> 
> Your statement is completely incorrect and unfair.  I quote:
> "importing and/or selling an illegal amp is illegal. That tells you a lot
> about the US rep."  The flaw in your logic is simply that they are not
> importing illegal amps.  This also may be news to you but US hams ARE
> allowed to use an amp with more than 15db gain.
> 
> FWIW as the amps are imported they are NOT capable of greater than 15db gain
> and are completely legal.
>