Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20554
                         PUBLIC NOTICE
                                
         Extended Coverage High Frequency Transceivers
                                
                                                   May 13, 1996
                                                          62882

     The purpose of this Public Notice is to clarify the Commission's rules regarding
equipment that is intended to operate in various radio services in the high frequency radio
spectrum, including "10-Meter" Amateur Radio Service (ARS) equipment.

     The Commission has noted that a number of transceivers imported as ARS equipment
are also capable of transmitting, and are being operated, in nearby frequency bands allocated
to other radio services such as the Private Land Mobile Radio Services, Maritime Services,
Auxiliary Broadcast Services, International Broadcasting Services, the Citizens Band Radio
Service, and the U.S. Government.  Operation of this equipment causes interference to the
authorized users of these frequencies.  Some of these transceivers are capable of using
output powers or emission types which are not permitted for the radio services listed above
and some are capable of  transmitting in the radio astronomy band where no two-way
radiocommunication is permitted.  Some manufacturers are promoting the sale of conversion
kits, or have designed their transceivers such that they can easily be modified by the users, to
extend the operating frequency range into the frequency bands listed above.  In addition, so
called "export" radios which are deliberately designed to facilitate this capability are also being
imported and marketed.

     Manufacturers, importers, vendors and users of these transceivers are reminded that
transmitters intended for operation on frequencies allocated to any of the FCC authorized radio
services listed above, except the ARS, must be type accepted by the Commission for the
particular radio service(s) in which they are intended to operate prior to their importation,
marketing or use.  The Commission considers that the transceivers discussed above are
intended to be operated on frequencies where the use of type accepted equipment is required,
because of the simplicity of modifying them to extend their operating frequency range. 
Transmitters designed and intended for use only in the ARS must comply with the applicable
technical standards contained in Part 97 of the Commission's Rules but are not required to be
type accepted.

     It is a violation of the Commission's regulations to: (1) import or market a transmitter
that is designed or intended to operate on frequencies outside of the ARS bands, if it has not
been issued a grant of equipment authorization for the radio service(s) in which the transmitter
is capable of operating; (2) import, market or operate a transmitter that requires a grant of
equipment authorization but for which no grant has been issued; or, (3) transmit on a
frequency allocated to a licensed radio service without the appropriate Commission-issued
station license.  Violation of the Commission's regulations will subject manufacturers,
importers, vendors and users of this equipment to appropriate criminal penalties as provided
for by federal law(s), including fines and/or imprisonment.  In addition, the equipment
described above can be seized by, and forfeited to, the government.

     For further information concerning this Public Notice, contact Gary Hendrickson at the
FCC Laboratory, 7435-A Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, Md. 21046, (301) 362-3043, or E-
mail: ghendric@fcc.gov.