narrow banding issue

> Anyone know what the penalty is for non-compliance? (not that I would consider that... just curious)

Sounds like the time I told my son that if he didn't stop, he was going to get a spanking.....

He asked how hard the spanking would be....

It wouldn't be much of a punishment, if it was cheaper to just pay the fine.....

The FCC says that "Enforcement Bureau is committed to aggressively enforcing the narrowbanding transition deadline and violators may be subject to enforcement action. Penalties for non-compliance may include license revocation, and/or monetary forfeitures of up to $16,000 for each such violation or each day of a continuing violation, and up to $112,500 for any single act or failure to act."

I haven't verified the above, but it caught my attention.

Several years ago I know someone who was working in the Chicago area and had a FCC guy stop and want to check out their radio equipment and license. They were doing static work so the guy left, but there are enforcement guys out there. I'd say the chance of getting caught are slim, but if you did get caught, I'm betting some kind of fine would happen.

I don't know about the Topcon stuff, but the Geodimeter radios fall under this new ruling. The only fix is to replace them with the newer 2.4ghz radios, the blue light ones. This is not cheap.

> I don't know about the Topcon stuff, but the Geodimeter radios fall under this new ruling. The only fix is to replace them with the newer 2.4ghz radios, the blue light ones. This is not cheap.

Should I assume the blue dot radio also requires a change in the instrument??

Andy

My radio guy said 25k fine, first offense. Enough to make me do it (or about to get ready to do it).

SOunds like your going to be getting new radios(s). More importantly have you contacted the FCC to be able to use the new narrowband frequencies. This can take some time to get through the system.

My old boss had his Geo610 redone, you need the on-board and internal radio changed. I think he said $4200. I'm guessing you could save some money by purchasing a used 2.4ghz external radio (for the rod), and just getting the onboard radio replaced.

Jim,
it was that same posting I saw that my got my attention to update our radios.
$16,000 to over $100,000 - that's more trouble than I want to be in, for sure.

Oops. Should have said "you need the on-board and external radio changed"

So the "official" verdict is all Geodimeter 600 or Trimble 5600's with the older radios (the ones with the red light) will need to be replaced in order to comply with the FCC Regs. You have to have BOTH INTERNAL & EXTERNAL Radios replaced for a total cost between 3600 - 4200.00 depending on where you have them done.

Andy

Wow!! Yep, got a newer blue radio for the external sitting in my office . Will call my tech guys tomorrow to schedule internal switch. Might also look into straight out upgrade, given the cost.

> SOunds like your going to be getting new radios(s). More importantly have you contacted the FCC to be able to use the new narrowband frequencies. This can take some time to get through the system.

The 2.4ghz radios were originally advertised by Trimble as being "license free".

http://investor.trimble.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=191379

Here is the email I received from Trimble Support;

Hello Jeff,

The radios (USA) are programmed in 467.xxx frequency range and must comply with Narrow Banding. Trimble Service provider must perform this replacement. Upgrade part number is E7156010121.

Regards,
Trimble Support

The part lists for $6,200.00 plus the labor to install it. Our tecnician said he could do the whole job and throw in replacing the internal batteries, cleaning and calibration for that amount (including the new radios, but that is still expensive for system that are this old).
thank you Uncle Sam!

Just took my Hiper PRO to the topcon dealer yesterday he says it's compliant, but I need to get a fcc license.

He didn't change any of my settings, just printed off a sheet showing my frequencies to help with obtaining a license.

I told him there are mixed messages from people who should know (other topcon dealers) and asked him to double check. He said he would call topcon again and call me if I need more attention.

I wouldn't doubt you can pick up an ENTIRE 5600 instrument (2.4 ghz) for less than $6200 on Ebay, etc.

Edit: Or you can just buy the internal radio for $1000

Ebay 2.4 Ghz radio

The radio sold for 600.00 which was a great deal for someone!

I checked with Topcon and Trimble, Topcon radios can be changed over to the 12.5Khz spacing but all the Pacific Crest blue bricks & PDL450 radios cannot.
On the Trimble side the Trim Talk 2, Trimb Mark 3, and 5700's - R8's can be changed as well. both require a tecnician using the factory software to upgrade the radio channel spacing. All of your existing frequencies will remain the same. Tirmble offers a $300.00 dollar trade in for an HPB450 radio, so if you have one don't throw it away just yet.

> I wouldn't doubt you can pick up an ENTIRE 5600 instrument (2.4 ghz) for less than $6200 on Ebay, etc.
>
> Edit: Or you can just buy the internal radio for $1000
>
> Ebay 2.4 Ghz radio

I wonder if that would bolt onto a Geo600. They are very similar.

FCC Narrowbanding

Basically ANYTHING that transmits in the VHF or UHF band (150-512 MHz), (RTK, Robot, Voice, ANYTHING) needs to be narrowband complaint in 13 days.

All of the transmissions in that range also require the proper FCC license (nothing new there), BUT the license does need to be narrowbanded now.

In addition to the license, your hardware has to transmit using 12.5 kHz efficiency technology, this may mean new hardware or might be attainable through a firmware setting or upgrade for some hardware.

SHG