TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Cell Phone Extenders?


Re: Cell Phone Extenders?


Michael D. Sullivan (userid@camsul.example.invalid)
Thu, 29 Dec 2005 09:25:11 GMT

DevilsPGD wrote:

> As for the devices, they're not illegal to own, only to operate (And
> then, they're only illegal without a license, or only if they operate
> outside the licensed bands)

They (cellular/PCS repeaters or "enhancers") are entirely legal to own
and operate as long as they are operated under authority of the
licensee(s) whose signals are involved. They cannot be used legally on
an independent, unlicensed basis. They are, in the eyes of the FCC,
cellular or PCS transmitters.

If you're a Verizon (or whoever) customer, contact Verizon (or
whoever) to see if they will authorize installation of the
transmitter. Absent such authorization, these are no more legal than
pirate FM stations.

niallgal@yahoo.com wrote:

> A quick web search comes up with
> http://www.digitalantenna.com/cellamprep_DA4000SBR.html which makes the
> following claims:

> Q: Does the owner of this equipment (installed location) require an FCC
> license to operate the repeater?

> A: No, neither the user nor the installer needs an FCC license. All of
> our products are FCC approved. In the instruction manual, you will
> find guidelines to follow to comply with all FCC requirements, such as
> proper separation between antennas, and persons must be 6 meters
> horizontally away from outside antenna.

Well, the manufacturer seems to be playing fast and loose. The unit's
FCC approval is valid only under Part 22 and 24, which require a
license (i.e., you have to be the licensed cellular or PCS operator
whose signal is involved), but the manual says it's approved under
Part 15, which is for unlicensed operation.

I have seen similar deceptive FCC "approvals" with other cellular/PCS
enhancers. The test report for the unit under the Part 22/24 rules is
at
https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=440134&native_or_pdf=pdf ;

the FCC certification grant is available at
https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/tcb/reports/Tcb731GrantForm.cfm?mode=COPY&RequestTimeout=500&application_id=286287&fcc_id=PZODA4000SBR clearly
showing authorization only under Parts 22/24. Can the company show
any Part 15 (unlicensed) approval?

Michael D. Sullivan
Bethesda, MD (USA)
(Replace "example.invalid" with "com" in my address.)

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