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So this is a change from the status quo where actually transmitting an interfering signal is illegal to one where having a device that might theoretically trans

So this is a change from the status quo where actually transmitting an interfering signal is illegal to one where having a device that might theoretically transmit an interfering signal is illegal? It sounds like ordering all pencils be made illegal because they can be used to write threats. I can see why they might want to make this change but I can't see how it can feasibly be defined and enforced without making every LC oscillator illegal. But like most legislation I suppose the reality, and reality of enforcement, don't matter so much as having the law to point to. They'll ignore it most of the time but chose to enforce it arbitrarily if someone rocks the boat. And it's quite a bit of a performative, "We're doing something." move. >"These devices have no legitimate purpose, apart from assisting in criminal activity... Expecting street cops to know RF electronics deeply enough to make these judgements of a "legitimate purpose" is beyond foolhardy and the claims of generalized signal generators as having no legitimate purpose is false. They would certainly consider my amateur radio lab equipment to be illegal.

HeatrayEnjoyer 2y ago
Radio equipment restrictions are as old as radio itself. Go into cellular telecommunication or, god forbid, radar, and you will find a great number of things you are not allowed to possess or sell, with very severe punishments for violation.
- zmgsabst 2y ago
  Like what?
  - mingus88 2y ago
    https://www.fcc.gov/general/jammer-enforcement https://www.fcc.gov/general/jammer-enforcement
    - superkuh 2y ago
      Um, your link does not support your implied claim. It is only illegal to actively transmit and interfere. None of the equipment is illegal to own. The entire idea that radio equipment would be intrinsically illegal to own is some sort of misunderstanding or confabulation. I guess you're thinking about the, "It is also unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, import, or otherwise market jamming devices to consumers in the United States." But this means what it says. It doesn't mean you can't own devices that can generate and transmit arbitrary signals on arbitrary frequencies. I means you can't advertise, sell, distribute, import or market devices to consumers explicitly saying they're for jamming. That's pretty clear and does not make ownership of devices illegal. This UK law really is unprecedented and very stupid. It is not a continuation of a status quo anywhere.
- superkuh 2y ago
  I am into radio communication and radar and I think the only thing I'm not allowed to do is sell high power traveling wave tubes, etc, to foreign nationals. I, myself, within the country am unrestricted in equipment ownership. I am, of course, highly restricted in what frequencies I can use in actual practice. Please give a concrete example of radio equipment that would be illegal for me to own.
deergomoo 2y ago
> It sounds like ordering all pencils be made illegal because they can be used to write threats My country enacting overreaching and ill defined laws concerning technology? Colour me surprised…

HeatrayEnjoyer 2y ago

Radio equipment restrictions are as old as radio itself. Go into cellular telecommunication or, god forbid, radar, and you will find a great number of things you are not allowed to possess or sell, with very severe punishments for violation.

zmgsabst 2y ago
Like what?
- mingus88 2y ago
  https://www.fcc.gov/general/jammer-enforcement https://www.fcc.gov/general/jammer-enforcement
  - superkuh 2y ago
    Um, your link does not support your implied claim. It is only illegal to actively transmit and interfere. None of the equipment is illegal to own. The entire idea that radio equipment would be intrinsically illegal to own is some sort of misunderstanding or confabulation. I guess you're thinking about the, "It is also unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, import, or otherwise market jamming devices to consumers in the United States." But this means what it says. It doesn't mean you can't own devices that can generate and transmit arbitrary signals on arbitrary frequencies. I means you can't advertise, sell, distribute, import or market devices to consumers explicitly saying they're for jamming. That's pretty clear and does not make ownership of devices illegal. This UK law really is unprecedented and very stupid. It is not a continuation of a status quo anywhere.
superkuh 2y ago
I am into radio communication and radar and I think the only thing I'm not allowed to do is sell high power traveling wave tubes, etc, to foreign nationals. I, myself, within the country am unrestricted in equipment ownership. I am, of course, highly restricted in what frequencies I can use in actual practice. Please give a concrete example of radio equipment that would be illegal for me to own.

deergomoo 2y ago

> It sounds like ordering all pencils be made illegal because they can be used to write threats My country enacting overreaching and ill defined laws concerning technology? Colour me surprised…