First Micro-power Transceiver Legality? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MrVa1ve · 4th Sep 2017, 11:17 am

Hi,

I'm not sure if this question is on-topic for this site, so feel free to re-direct or close if it's not appropriate.

Basically, I thought it would be a fun and educational project for both myself and the kids to build a simple two way wireless transceiver that they could use around the house. I would be careful to restrict the power such that it wouldn't transmit any great distance and I would avoid any commercial radio bands in the event the signal did manage to travel outside the house (unlikely).

Since, I plan on building this using discrete components and I'd like to use FM (simply for educational reasons), something in the VHF range would be preferable.

So, here are my questions:
What is the legal position with regard to this?

What frequency band would be most appropriate? I should point out that I really don't expect the transmission to travel far (if at all!). The new 60 meter (5MHz) band looks quite within my reach technically and looks like it wouldn't affect the neighbours should it stray a little further than intended.

Many thanks!

MrBungle · 4th Sep 2017, 11:32 am

Ignoring the legality which is probably a big problem without a license, and ignoring FM, I always liked the idea of building a couple of "fredbox" transceivers: https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/fredbox

paulsherwin · 4th Sep 2017, 11:44 am

This would certainly be illegal in the UK, and I would assume the Republic too as it is an EU matter. It is effectively impossible for private individuals to build them and have them certified.

Of course, the chances of legal repercussions are low if you are discreet and socially responsible.

4th Sep 2017, 11:17 am	#1
MrVa1ve Tetrode Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 75	First Micro-power Transceiver Legality? Hi, I'm not sure if this question is on-topic for this site, so feel free to re-direct or close if it's not appropriate. Basically, I thought it would be a fun and educational project for both myself and the kids to build a simple two way wireless transceiver that they could use around the house. I would be careful to restrict the power such that it wouldn't transmit any great distance and I would avoid any commercial radio bands in the event the signal did manage to travel outside the house (unlikely). Since, I plan on building this using discrete components and I'd like to use FM (simply for educational reasons), something in the VHF range would be preferable. So, here are my questions: What is the legal position with regard to this? What frequency band would be most appropriate? I should point out that I really don't expect the transmission to travel far (if at all!). The new 60 meter (5MHz) band looks quite within my reach technically and looks like it wouldn't affect the neighbours should it stray a little further than intended. Many thanks!

4th Sep 2017, 11:32 am	#2
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: First Micro-power Transceiver Legality Ignoring the legality which is probably a big problem without a license, and ignoring FM, I always liked the idea of building a couple of "fredbox" transceivers: https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/fredbox

4th Sep 2017, 11:44 am	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,927	Re: First Micro-power Transceiver Legality This would certainly be illegal in the UK, and I would assume the Republic too as it is an EU matter. It is effectively impossible for private individuals to build them and have them certified. Of course, the chances of legal repercussions are low if you are discreet and socially responsible.