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True, but what both the article and you miss out on is that some radio frequencies are unlicensed. You actually can spin up a transmitter as a DIY projected, a

True, but what both the article and you miss out on is that some radio frequencies are unlicensed. You actually can spin up a transmitter as a DIY projected, and even built exactly what this guy did, as long as you use check up your domestic laws and ensure you're using the right frequencies and in the manners prescribed. Specifically, see the ITU recommendations on 315 Mhz for low powered transmitters. You should be good if you don't exceed 10 mW. [0]: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/rep/R-REP-SM.2153-2-2011-PDF-E.pdf https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/rep/R-REP-SM.2153-2-20...

myself248 7y ago
Under FCC jurisdiction at least, 315 MHz has strict duty cycle limits -- you can't transmit more than two seconds per hour. There's a really good summary here: https://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra048/swra048.pdf https://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra048/swra048.pdf So, yes, you can buy exactly the parts this guy did, and implement the project differently, and be completely legal. But he implemented it such that the duty cycle violated regulations, and here we see why the duty cycle is supposed to be very limited. What he did was in clear violation, and he did not need fancy test equipment to determine that.
- crankylinuxuser 7y ago
  Even though he inadvertently caused consternation with people with keyfobs and rc garage doors, he did quit after it was brought to his attention. I'm much much more lenient on someone who's tinkering and causes that accidentally. And if you read into the article, the person who did it was special needs (mentally or physically). They're also likely on a fixed income. Jail would be unconscionable, as would fining someone which lack of payment would lead to jail. Hopefully the result here is "person quits, person reads up on proper RF practice, and does things better next time"

myself248 7y ago

Under FCC jurisdiction at least, 315 MHz has strict duty cycle limits -- you can't transmit more than two seconds per hour. There's a really good summary here: https://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra048/swra048.pdf https://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra048/swra048.pdf So, yes, you can buy exactly the parts this guy did, and implement the project differently, and be completely legal. But he implemented it such that the duty cycle violated regulations, and here we see why the duty cycle is supposed to be very limited. What he did was in clear violation, and he did not need fancy test equipment to determine that.

crankylinuxuser 7y ago
Even though he inadvertently caused consternation with people with keyfobs and rc garage doors, he did quit after it was brought to his attention. I'm much much more lenient on someone who's tinkering and causes that accidentally. And if you read into the article, the person who did it was special needs (mentally or physically). They're also likely on a fixed income. Jail would be unconscionable, as would fining someone which lack of payment would lead to jail. Hopefully the result here is "person quits, person reads up on proper RF practice, and does things better next time"