[PPRAANet] FCC vs Baofeng radios

[John Bloodgood]

  PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission​
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500​
445 12th St., S.W. Internet: http://www.fcc.gov​
Washington, D.C. 20554 TTY: 1-888-835-5322​
 ​
DA 18-980​
September 24, 2018​
Enforcement Advisory No. 2018-03​
FCC ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY​
​
TWO-WAY VHF/UHF RADIOS MAY NOT BE IMPORTED, ​
ADVERTISED, OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES UNLESS THEY COMPLY WITH THE COMMISSION’S RULES​
 ​
OPERATORS MUST ALSO COMPLY WITH FCC RULES​
​
The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has observed that a growing number of conventional retailers and websites advertise and sell low-cost, two-way VHF/UHF radios that do not ​
comply with the FCC’s rules.  Such devices are used primarily for short-distance, two-way voice communications and are frequently imported into the United States.  These radios must be authorized by the FCC prior to ​
being imported, advertised, sold, or operated in the United States.1     ​
​
Many of these radios violate one or more FCC technical requirements.  For example, some can be modified to transmit on public safety and other land mobile channels for which they are not authorized, while others are ​
capable of prohibited wideband operations.2   Such radios are illegal, and many have the potential to negatively affect public safety, aviation, and other operations by Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as ​
private users.  Because these devices must be, but have not been, authorized by the FCC, the devices may not be imported into the United States, retailers may not advertise or sell them, and no one may use them.  Rather, ​
these devices may only be imported, advertised, sold, or used only if the FCC first has approved them under its equipment authorization process (or unless the devices operate exclusively on frequencies reserved for ​
amateur licensees or they are intended for use exclusively by the federal government).  Moreover, with only very limited exceptions, after being authorized, the devices may not be modified.  Anyone importing, advertising ​
or selling such noncompliant devices should stop immediately, and anyone owning such devices should not use them.  Violators may be subject to substantial monetary penalties.3  ​
​
What Should You Know?  ​
​
The Bureau has noted an increase in the manufacturing, importation, advertising, and sale of two-way VHF/UHF radios that are not authorized in accordance with the Commission’s rules.4  Generally, electronic devices that ​
intentionally emit radio waves are required to be certified by the FCC or an authorized third-party certification entity (Telecommunications Certification Body) prior to importation, advertising, sale, or use.5  Two-way ​
VHF/UHF radios require FCC certification to show compliance with our rules, unless they qualify for a limited exception (see Amateur Radio Exception, below, and Federal government exception at footnote 4).  ​
​
This certification requirement ensures that equipment complies with technical requirements to avoid causing interference to federal government operations, private licensed operations, and other authorized operations or ​
equipment.6  Equipment that does not comply with the technical requirements cannot be certified and thus cannot be imported, advertised, sold, or used.7  ​
​
Amateur Radio Exception.  There is one exception to this certification requirement:  if a device is capable of operating only on frequencies that the FCC has allocated for use by Amateur Radio Service licensees, it does ​
not require FCC equipment authorization,8 and an amateur licensee may use his or her license to operate such radios.  However, many two-way radios that purport to operate on amateur frequencies also operate on frequencies ​
that extend beyond the designated amateur frequency bands.9  If a two-way VHF/UHF radio is capable of operating outside of the amateur frequency bands, it cannot be imported, advertised, sold, or operated within the United ​
States without an FCC equipment certification.10 ​
 ​
Even if a two-way VHF/UHF radio operates solely within the amateur frequencies, the operator is required to have an amateur license to operate the device and must otherwise comply with all applicable rules.11  The Bureau ​
will take very seriously any reports of failures of two-way radio operators to comply with all relevant rules and requirements when using devices in the amateur bands. ​
​
What Happens If Manufacturers, Retailers, or Operators Do Not Comply with the FCC’s Rules? ​
​
Violators of the Commission’s marketing rules may be subject to the penalties authorized by the Communications Act, including, but not limited to, substantial monetary fines (up to $19,639 per day of marketing violations ​
and up to $147,290 for an ongoing violation).12  ​
​
What Should You Do?  ​
​
The FCC rules governing two-way VHF/UHF radios are designed to minimize interference to all authorized spectrum users, including important government and public safety operations.  Manufacturers, importers, retailers, and ​
radio operators should take the time to learn the FCC rules governing equipment authorization and comply with them.  When manufacturing, importing, advertising or selling two-way radios and accessories that either are ​
electronic or have electronic components, manufacturers, importers and marketers should ensure that such devices or components are properly certified and labeled as FCCcompliant and cannot be easily modified to operate ​
outside its grant of certification.13  Prior to purchase or operation, individuals should ensure that a device is either labeled as FCC-compliant or operates solely within amateur frequencies.14  ​
​
Need more information?  ​
​
For additional information regarding equipment marketing and amateur radio rules, please visit the FCC website at https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/laboratory-division/general/equipmentauthorization ​
and https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service, respectively.  Media inquiries should be directed to Will Wiquist at (202) 418-0509 or will.wiquist at fcc.gov.  ​
​
To file a complaint, visit https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC. ​
​
1 47 CFR § 2.803(b)(1).  Importing, advertising and selling are three aspects of “marketing” under the Commission’s rules.  Specifically, marketing “includes [the] sale or lease, or offering for sale or lease, including advertising for sale or lease, or importation, shipment, or distribution for the purpose of selling or leasing or offering for sale or lease.”   47 CFR § 2.803(a).​

2 The maximum allowed operational bandwidth for such radios, with limited exceptions, is 12.5 kHz, which is considered “narrowband.”  See 47 CFR § 90.209(b)(5) n.3.​

3 See, e.g., Amcrest Industries, LLC, d/b/a Baofengradio.US, Citation and Order, DA 18-801 (EB-SED Aug. 1, ​
2018) (issuing citation); Pilot Travel Centers, L.L.C., Notice of Apparent Liability, 19 FCC Rcd 23113 (2004) (Pilot ​
NAL), Order and Consent Decree, 21 FCC Rcd 5308 (2006) ($90,000 settlement); CB Shop & More, LLLP ​
Loveland, Colorado, Forfeiture Order, 23 FCC Rcd 4688 (EB-WR 2008) (imposing $7,000 forfeiture); Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, Inc. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Forfeiture Order, 21 FCC Rcd 10798 (EB-SCR 2006) (imposing $25,000 forfeiture).  ​

4 See, e.g., Letter from David Smith, President, and Mark Crosby, Secretary/Treasurer, Land Mobile ​
Communications Council, to Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, FCC at 2 (June 7, 2018) (stating that the “distribution of non-compliant radio devices . . . reaches 1,000,000 units annually.”), http://lmcc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/06/LMCC-Letter-ORielly-re-NonComDev-060718.pdf. ​

5 47 CFR §§ 2.803, 2.805, 2.907, 15.201.  The equipment authorization rules apply to the manufacture, import, sale, offer for sale, shipment or use of devices capable of emitting radio frequency energy.  See 47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).  These rules apply to all radio frequency equipment advertised or sold to non-Federal U.S. customers regardless of the equipment’s origin, including equipment manufactured overseas and imported for subsequent sale to nonFederal U.S. customers or shipped directly from overseas to non-federal U.S. customers.  These rules do not apply to equipment used by Federal Government agencies.  See 47 U.S.C. § 302a(c), 47 CFR § 2.807(d).  ​

6 47 CFR §§ 2.907, 15.201.  ​

7 Frequently, these devices are also not accompanied by required disclosures concerning FCC licensing requirements.  See, e.g., 47 CFR § 95.653(b)(4).  Marketing without these disclosures is also prohibited.  47 U.S.C. § 302a(b).​

8 See, e.g., Pilot NAL, 19 FCC Rcd at 23114 (“[R]adio transmitting equipment that transmits solely on Amateur Radio Service (‘ARS’) frequencies is not subject to equipment authorization requirements prior to manufacture or marketing.”) (emphasis added).    ​

9 For example, the Bureau has observed two-way radios that apparently operate on frequencies 136-143 MHz, 400-419 MHz and/or 451-520 MHz, all of which are outside of the authorized amateur radio service bands.  47 CFR § 97.301(a) (listing amateur frequencies).  ​

10 See, e.g., New Generation Hobbies, Citation, 26 FCC Rcd 9468, 9471 n.23 (EB 2011) (“[W]hile amateur radio service equipment is exempt from the FCC’s equipment certification requirement, it is a violation of the Commission’s regulations to market in the United States a transmitter that is designed or intended to operate on frequencies outside of the authorized amateur radio service bands if such equipment has not been issued a grant of equipment certification.”).  ​

11 See, e.g., 47 CFR §§ 97.5, 97.113, 97.215.  ​

12 See 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(2)(D); 47 CFR §§ 1.80(b)(7), (b)(9) (reflecting adjustments for inflation).​

13 A label indicating compliance may be located on the surface of the product, within a user-accessible non-detachable compartment (such as the battery compartment), on the packaging of the device, and/or within electronic menus if the device has an electronic display.  ​

14 Moreover, any type of authorized equipment that requires a license should not be operated without the appropriate license.  Many commercially-available two-way radios, depending on operational frequencies, require a license to operate.  See, e.g., 47 CFR Part 95 (Personal Radio Services). ​
​
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504 at fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).  You may also contact the Enforcement Bureau on its ​TTY line at (202) 418-1148 for further information about this Enforcement Advisory, or the FCC on its TTY line at 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) for further information about the aviation radio rules. Issued by:  Chief, Enforcement Bureau ​








John Bloodgood, KD0SFY
Emergency Coordinator & Public Information Officer
Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARES (Pikes Peak ARES)
Follow Pikes Peak ARES at:
https://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakARES

https://twitter.com/pikespeakARES
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8258915

________________________________
From: ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net <ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Glenn <n3ulw at comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 10:40 AM
To: ***Reflector PPRAA***
Subject: [PPRAANet] FCC vs Baofeng radios

    To All:

   Some interesting discussions popped up regarding Baofeng/ Wouxan
radios and FCC pulling the plug on them as "NON" compliant radios!

Heres 3 videos explaining whats going on and what you should do. They do
meet part 90 cert.'s but barely.

The first one is on a QRZ website: (Also his take is don't throw it
away, don't hide it nor advertise it, you'll probably not get arrested
"BUT" only use it as you're licensed ergo 2 meters and 70 centimeters).

http://qrznow.com/fcc-warns-on-noncompliant-vhfuhf-two-way-radios-baofeng/

Second vid.: Also on the QRZ site says OMG don't use them and they're
building the scaffolding for hanging as I type! Ironically both vid.'s
dated in Sept.

http://qrznow.com/fcc-enforcement-advisory-targets-noncompliant-imported-vhfuhf-transceivers/

Third vid. again on QRZ site:

http://qrznow.com/fcc-enforcement-advisory-targets-noncompliant-imported-vhfuhf-transceivers/

It too says don't use 'em in the text but the vid. more or less says
have a ball with 'em!!


If it's "SO" big and bad an issue why are they still being imported/
advertised and sold on numerous websites? My take? If you have one, use
it wisely and stay within

your licensed band restrictions. I, personally, own a Wouxan KG-UV9D and
it's a fine inexpensive radio, yes it's capable of transmitting out of
normal Ham bands.

Do I transmit out of band? Empathically "NO"! Also note Wouxan was
hardly mentioned at all. Seems they picked mainly on Baofeng for
whatever reason.


Glenn

n3ulw



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