[Yaaarc] Antenna confusion

[jeff at aerodata.net]

Rick:

The FCC loosened the Part 15 rules a *little* a couple years ago about
mixing and matching. The manufacturers can certify antennas as a class, in
that they only have to test the highest gain antenna, and then just
include a listing of alternate antennas of the same or lower gain, that
the end user can swap out.

So that is how the big box stores are getting away with it, which is not
to say there is not alot of other questionable sales going on (for part
15) but the FCC for the most part has turned a blind eye.

Neal:

For my Wi-Fi hacking, I use http://www.fab-corp.com    mention "HSMM" in
your order comments field and you will get an additional discount (HSMM
stands for High Speed Multi Media which is a bunch of hams running WiFi
equipment on the ham bands (under part 97).

Mouser also has alot of adapters at a reasonable price.

-Jeff


> On Thu, 7 Jun 2007, Neal Probert wrote:
>

>> Anybody know of a good source for antennas and adapters?  I need a bunch
>> of
>> Type-N to SMA adapters already.
>>
>> Btw, I've found a nice combined GPS/WiFi antenna at www.wi-sys.com
>>
>   You shulda' posted this query a few weeks ago.  The Dayton Hamvention
> was
> the place to shop for all that stuff!


>
> All consumer unlicensed radios are certified as a system, with their
> attached antennas.  End-users aren't *supposed* to be swapping them for
> higher-gain ones, inserting amplifiers, etc  I'm surprised that the FCC
> hasn't cracked down on the big-box stores that are selling stuff that's
> supposed to be prohibited.

> --
> Rick Green

>