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FCC changes and Robotic Total Stations

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 liz
(@liz)
Posts: 164
Topic starter
 

Our two Trible 5603 Robotic Total Stations are of the older variety and use the 25 kmz channel width. The cost to upgrade both the internal and extral batteries is about $4500 I think. Are any of you doing this? I am thining of taking my chances? Since the range we get is less than 1000 feet does this lessen the chance the we will interfere with other?

 
Posted : December 4, 2012 11:22 am
(@a-harris)
Posts: 8761
 

I would pull out the scanner or other unit that will let you know if anyone else is using that frequency.

Have had people want to hunt me down for being on their supposedly channel and radio frequency while using handheld radios.

Just never can tell who may make the call to FCC and file a complaint.

Once this goes into effect, the actual legal use of that frequency will become more known to the public.

 
Posted : December 4, 2012 12:01 pm
 liz
(@liz)
Posts: 164
Topic starter
 

Good idea. Thanks!

 
Posted : December 4, 2012 2:13 pm
(@glenn-borkenhagen)
Posts: 410
Customer
 

You should also -

1. Query the FCC database using their Advanced License Search tools to see who else in your working area is licensed on the frequencies installed in your equipment, as well as the frequencies 12.5 kHz above and below each of the frequencies in your equipment.

and

2. While in the field, use your radio scanner to monitor the three frequencies - the one you are using as well as the ones 12.5 kHz above and below the one you are using.

FCC enforcement is pretty much always complaint driven. If you are a good radio neighbor there is not much chance anyone will file a complaint against you.

GB

 
Posted : December 4, 2012 3:58 pm
(@the-pseudo-ranger)
Posts: 2369
 

It's still not clear to me if a 0.25 Watt Radio, that is not subject to FCC licensing, is required to narrow band.

 
Posted : December 4, 2012 6:25 pm
(@scott-mclain)
Posts: 784
Registered
 

Thank You, Very helpful search site.
I, like Liz was "thinking of taking my chances?", I only use the GPS 3 or 4 times a month and who is going to notice little old me? But after searching the county for licenses from 450 to 470 the list came back with 87 active licenses (from bakers to road builders). May have to rethink this as I could cause some noise and be noticed. The map on this site is also interesting and shows the range of each radio user.

 
Posted : December 4, 2012 8:07 pm
(@rick-taylor)
Posts: 114
Registered
 

I have a Topcon 802 with the Satel radios - my dealer told me that since they're under 1 watt they're exempt from the requirement.

 
Posted : December 5, 2012 5:44 am
(@bow-tie-surveyor)
Posts: 825
Registered
 

> It's still not clear to me if a 0.25 Watt Radio, that is not subject to FCC licensing, is required to narrow band.

I have a old Topcon AP-L1 with the original Satel 2ASxm2 radios. According to the user manual these are 0.5 watt radios. I am not sure if these would fall under the new narrowbanding requirement or not. As far as I know, I don't believe they have ever been licensed. Does the FCC license radios that operate under 1 watt?

The Bow Tie Surveyor

 
Posted : December 5, 2012 6:02 am
(@the-pseudo-ranger)
Posts: 2369
 

I was told by my Trimble Dealer that the 0.25 Watt "GeoRadios" are not required to get a license. However, in reading the FCC requirements, it's not clear if they expect all radios in that band to narrowband. There is no specific exemption, as far as I can tell, based on low wattage. However, they do often refers to "licensees" when talking about the requirement. So, I'm really not sure where I stand on this.

 
Posted : December 5, 2012 9:09 am