I am considering purchasing and using a RTK system that will be using a 4 watt radio. What do I need to know about getting (or not getting) a FCC License? Cost, hassle, penalty, common practice.
Thanks!
[sarcasm]If your name is "Boudreaux" or "Landraunaux" then you don't need to think about it![/sarcasm]
900mhz does not need a license, UHF (450) does. Since you said 4 watt, then I'm assuming it's uhf.
This is who I used. It's a service that does the application for you. It was pretty much painless.
http://www.alcds.com/
James
We used a similar service; they do all the work, all you have to do is write a check. If it's a UHF radio (as above I assume so since it's 4W) make very sure that it's 12.5KHz bandwidth; any used system more than about three years old probably has a 25KHz radio and those are no longer legal.
Not getting a license isn't an option unless you like paying big fines; we've had the black SUV with blacked out windows show up on a job site at least once that I know of.
I am using an Intuicom 900 Mhz, line of sight good solution, non line of sight you need to be more creative, so far I have reached out 5.5 miles line of sight on a 1W radio, no FCC license needed. Of course UHF isn't magic either with non-line of sight, but may be slightly more forgiving in that regard.
SHG
I just received my fcc authorization a couple weeks ago. I went with a company, pay them and they do the rest. My emission designator came back as 11k2f1d, I did some research and spoke with equipment rep, he seemed to think something may be wrong with this designator. He has been trying to work directly with the company that did the license but hasnt had no luck. Next go around I would try to work thru this before purchase. I havent used the equipment fearing "the black suv with tinted windows" might pull up. Are any of you guys using this same designator.
Good article Mark. Lots of folks around here don't have any idea they need a license. On the channel sharing report they sent me, it listed no other users within 80 kilometers. I reckon I shouldn't have any trouble finding an open clear channel.