[Elecraft] Headphones

[Phil Kane]

On 5/10/2020 8:14 AM, Gwen Patton wrote:

>  I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Neither did I, but I am a lawyer who deals in this area.

Part 15 sets the minimum standard for RF emissions from devices that do
not require individual or blanket station licenses.  If they don't
comply, they can't be used legally or be marketed (a "term of art" that
covers manufacture, sell, offer for sale, ship, modify, and in some
cases, use).  Compliant devices must be certified by the manufacturer
and labeled as meeting those standards.   There are certain exemptions
for home-brew ham equipment and school projects.

Regulatory law is clear - even if the emissions from a device comply
with the levels mandated in Part 15, if they cause harmful interference
(another "term of art") to licensed/authorized communications, the
operator of the Part 15 device is required to cease such operation until
the interference is abated.

Conversely, as many have noted, if the Part 15 device gets interfered
with by signals from a licenses/authorized station or device, it's
"tough".  What part of "must accept" is not clear?

A good part of my early legal career was devoted to assisting and
defending hams against claims of interference to consumer-level
entertainment equipment.  Much of that has gone away, because the
European Union has regulations about how such equipment must reject
outside signals and reputable manufacturers are adhering to those
standards if they want to sell in the worldwide market. The FCC has
kicked around establishing similar standards for decades with no action,
relying on the broad "must accept" to protect the public.

 When is the last time that we here have had to deal with a substantial
claim of causing TVI ("Tennessee Valley Indians)?  Not since I have been
running my K2.

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
ARRL Volunteer Counsel