Moderator Comment by Nathaniel Caner on April 8, 2011 at 4:02pm

@bGatti

 

Yes you are correct that 433MHz is common as dirt, however the legal restriction on these "License free" devices limits them to 200 uv/meter (see FCC 47 CFR part15.209 here) measured at 3 meters. That works out to be about 50 microwatts to a 0 db gain antenna in the 420-450MHz band and gives a distance of only about 30 feet! I should point out my typo in my previous response I said the 420-470MHz band when I meant to say the 420-450MHz band.

Operation at power levels above this in these frequencies requires a HAM technician class or higher license to operate. The good news is that it's easy to get a license and then you have leagl access to equipment in this band for Amateur TV (ATV) that will give you twice the range of 900MHz systems at the same power levels!

 

Regards,

Nathaniel

Moderator Comment by Brian on April 8, 2011 at 6:30pm

@Nathaniel / @bGatti
I like the feedback everyone, thanks. I too thought that 4.3 did not need a license either. Actually have the book to study and get my ham license. Personally, I think that anyone serious about playing with stuff like this they should take the time to be official or at least follow the rules.

Comment by bGatti on April 11, 2011 at 7:05pm

@Brian,

It's sweet "everyone get a license" and all; but bear in mind that these are restrictions on the sale and potential market for a product; as a consequence it is easier (less restrictive)  to make and sell guns, than it is to make and sell a walkie-talkie.

 

 

Moderator Comment by Brian on April 13, 2011 at 5:36am

@bGatti - How's that saying go... "that's how the cookie crumbles" Sure in a perfect world we'd all have the license and the regulatory folks would all be on the same page and make the higher level of restrictions where they belong, but...

Comment by Alex McEwan on April 13, 2011 at 6:13am

John I have a pair but was getting nowhere with them, GSC info coming back at 9k6 but not having any luck uploading to the APM. Tried it at 19k2 and it just worked. So i think its getting bogged down at 9k6, now to do some range tests.

Comment by Nicholas Winkel on April 13, 2011 at 8:35am

I think getting a HAM License can be a valuable tool for many of the people that are serious about their projects.

What level benefits r/cer's the most? Technician, General, or Extra class?

Moderator Comment by Graham Dyer on February 16, 2012 at 7:12am

Just got some, they work fine over short distances so far but I haven't tested them further. I've tested Config (PID, etc) changes and live Flight Data.

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