SGQ-450D Duplexer - Tune-up and Review

[tweiss3]

I would also be weary of adjusting the power using the input voltage. That sounds dangerous for the long term survival of the circuits. That typically isn't the correct way to adjust a transmitter.

[LeoG]

Manufacturer says the whole setup is Part 95 compliant.  Pretty sure as long as it's designed and built as an all in one unit the output at the connector is what is limited to 50 watts.

 

[marcspaz]

6 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Manufacturer says the whole setup is Part 95 compliant.  Pretty sure as long as it's designed and built as an all in one unit the output at the connector is what is limited to 50 watts.

 

 

I think you are correct, in that what the FCC care about is everything is in one chassis, and what transmit power is coming out of the chassis. Not necessarily the PA output power.

[SteveShannon]

That would be a good thing to send to the fcc in response to their request for regulation simplification suggestions.  I agree that it absolutely makes sense to look at the output of the box, but that’s not how the regulations are currently written.

[LeoG]

And it would make sense.  You can have a 50 watt radio and put all kinds of doodads internally but as long as it all complies with part 95 and is 50 watts or less out the connector they probably don't care.  Btech made a big deal out of it being an all in one unit along with being able to output close to 50 watts.

You know people are always miffed when it says 50 and you only get 40 even though it likely won't even make a difference.  But it's the thought that you paid for that output and it comes up short.  As long as I can make it to my house I'm pretty alright with it.  And I know that 25 watts from my house couldn't punch through the leaves and 50 watts does it in spades.  So power can matter.

[LeoG]

1 minute ago, SteveShannon said:

That would be a good thing to send to the fcc in response to their request for regulation simplification suggestions.  I agree that it absolutely makes sense to look at the output of the box, but that’s not how the regulations are currently written.

Ya, that's not happening.  That's just causing trouble for myself.  I'm sure if there were regulation violations Btech would be the first to know about it.  I'll keep the box output under 50w and it's not going to bother anyone.

[SteveShannon]

7 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Ya, that's not happening.  That's just causing trouble for myself.  I'm sure if there were regulation violations Btech would be the first to know about it.  I'll keep the box output under 50w and it's not going to bother anyone.

Nothing says you have to throw BTech or yourself under the bus to make a suggestion for a rule change.  
Frankly, I don’t think the FCC knows when there are violations.  They have neither the people nor an interest in challenging the certification atteststions submitted by manufacturers unless the problems are so egregious that someone reports them.

[marcspaz]

I found the authorization... it took a few minutes between meetings. LOL

 

What is wild is, the FCC authorization only seems to be valid if the user is operating with a maximum of ZERO dBi gain antenna, unless I am reading this incorrectly.  I mean, it says "should" not "must"... so I don't know the correct answer.  There is nothing in the rules about antenna gain. 

 

Where is my FCC enforcement guy?  We know you read this stuff...  LOL.  Can the FCC legally put a limit on one-off stuff like that without going through a PRM process and an update to the rules?  Seems odd.

 

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/tcb/reports/Tcb731GrantForm.cfm?mode=COPY&RequestTimeout=500&tcb_code=&application_id=MjZkkijyA8IfBeMCZsYVMw%3D%3D&fcc_id=2AGNDGMRSRPT50

 

  

TCB	GRANT OF EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION	TCB
Certification
Issued Under the Authority of the
Federal Communications Commission
By:

 

MiCOM Labs 575 Boulder Court Pleasanton, CA 94566

Date of Grant: 12/15/2023 Application Dated: 12/15/2023

BTECH (BaoFeng Tech)

702 N Industrial Ave

Arlington, SD 57212

Attention: Greg Wilson ,

 

NOT TRANSFERABLE

EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION is hereby issued to the named GRANTEE, and is VALID ONLY for the equipment identified hereon for use under the Commission's Rules and Regulations listed below.

FCC IDENTIFIER:	2AGNDGMRSRPT50
Name of Grantee:	BTECH (BaoFeng Tech)
Equipment Class:	Licensed Non-Broadcast Station Transmitter
Notes:	GMRS Repeater

Grant Notes	FCC Rule Parts	Frequency Range (MHZ)	Output Watts	Frequency Tolerance	Emission Designator
	95E	462.55  -  462.725	46.7735	1.097  PM	16K0F3E

 

Output Power listed is conducted power. The transmitter has maximum duty factor of 50 %. This device is authorized to operate in the following radio services: GMRS (Part 95E). There must be an informational insert inside the box (product package) or the Users Manual must include information that clearly informs the consumer (buyer/owner) when the radio is transmitting on GMRS frequencies, that operation on GMRS frequencies requires an FCC license and such operation is subject to additional rules specified in 47 C.F.R. Part 95. The ant gain used should be 0dBi as max,The device with it's antenna must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 114cm from all persons. End users and installers must be provided with antenna installation instructions and transmitter operating conditions for satisfying RF exposure compliance.

 

[LeoG]

As long as it doesn't say "shall be".  Should and must can be gotten around legally.

 

[marcspaz]

Also, they are going by what is at the antenna connector of the chassis.  "Output Power listed is conducted power."

 

Conducted Power: This refers to the RF (Radio Frequency) power that is supplied by the transmitter to its antenna, measured at the point where the cable connects to the antenna. This is different from radiated power, which is the power emitted into the air from the antenna.

 

Based on what I read from Cornell, the FCC's definition of "conducted power" primarily refers to the total transmit power delivered to all antennas and antenna elements when the transmitter is operating at its maximum power control level. This is also referred to as "maximum conducted output power."

[LeoG]

Well I'm not putting a 1/4 wave antenna up on an 80' tower.  That would look silly.  LOL