At 11:26 AM 28/04/99 -0600, you wrote:

I made some enquiries on this and I am told that all intentional radiators
(any
transmitter) must be tested by the FCC no matter which band is used. There may
be some confusion with the bands as some are allowed for use of "activation"
but no data. This rule applies regardless of power levels or frequency.In the
900MHz band you are allowed to use data or activation.

Peter

>Long time ago...in a galaxy...wait...thats a movie.
>
>Long time ago...when the guru Andrew Warren was around, he and I had some
>discussions on what needed a license, and what did not.
>
>Basically, anything that is telemetry, like alarms, or an "are you alive"
>signal does not need a license.  If it was a RS232 link, it would because
>now its data, and data eats up bandwidth, etc.
>
>I have used DVP modules, with good success (external antenna tho).
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: John Payson [mailto:supercat@CIRCAD.COM]
>Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 11:19 AM
>To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
>Subject: Cheap 900MHz RF low-speed short-range data solutions?
>
>
>Does anyone here have any experience with using 900MHz RF data devices?
>I'm looking for a short range (<20ft) transmit/receiver pair that can
>easily be used to send an "activation" signal.  This would be for use in
>a consumer product, so FCC approval is essential.  I've seen various 314Mhz
>devices [e.g. the Ming thingies] which would be adequate except that they're
>not FCC approved and I can't find any specs about what one can transmit at
>that frequency.  The 900Mhz band is basically a free-for-all, and at 20' it
>shouldn't be too hard for a transmitter to win out over other users of that
>band.
>
>BTW, this application won't necessarily be line-of-sight.  If it were, I'd
>use infra-red.
>