At 05:47 PM 10/3/99 -0500, you wrote:
>> "Anything that contain a semiconductor..."
>
>I think that you'll find the real reg is anything with a clock over 9kHz,
>with an exception for digital watches.
>
>> Actually, I think, by the law, it is illegal to do pre-testing, as the
>device is not yet certified!
>
>Hardly. You just can't sell the device. You're still responsible for it's
>emissions.
>
>You can also self-certify, but if the FCC finds your products in violation,
>you better have really good paperwork. That's why the independent labs make
>their money.

On the general topic of FCC testing for sales in the US, a couple of the
labs I talked to told me independently and rather emphatically that
"scientific instruments" are generally exempt, and that up to five
prototypes of any given model can be built and put into service without
formal testing.  However anything placed into production for resale MUST be
tested.

There is a magazine out called COMPLIANCE ENGINEERING that is dedicated to
this field--controlled circulation = free.  Also, most test houses have a
free pre-test review service.  If they are going to get the do the final
testing, then they will review the design--schematics and hardware--and
make their technical suggestions to help you to pass the first time
through.  I'm looking at going through the process over the next month or
two, so if any of you have experience with particular test labs--good, bad,
or indifferent--I'd like to hear about it.  Off list is OK.

Kelly

William K. Borsum, P.E. -- OEM Dataloggers and Instrumentation Systems
<borsum@dascor.com> & <www.dascor.com>San Diego, California, USA