The following link relates to a recent decision by the US authorities to
raid a maker of kitset electronics, confiscate $30,000 of equipment and
start a prosecution relating to the possibility of the equipment being used
for terrorist purposes.

There are several articles plus a discussion group of variable worth.

The maker has apparently been selling this and similar kits for 25 years
without problems.
While it's hard to be sure of the merits of this sort of case from this
distance (world gets in the way) it is probably worth all US based list
members who are interested in electronics, at least having a look and
deciding whether its worth "writing their congressman". Seems a bit like the
thin edge of the wedge, but maybe not?

RM

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This is the on-line discussion group regarding the recent Federal Government
restriction on a number of Ramsey Electronics hobby kits and products.
Since this action, we have been swamped with inquiries regarding the
restriction.  This discussion group was created to keep you informed.

http://208.46.148.11/



1st article
http://208.46.148.11/cyberskip.htm



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A recent US Federal Government action has prohibited us from selling a
number of products to you because they feel you are using it for illegal
use.  For over 25 years, Ramsey Electronics, Inc. has been selling wireless
hobby and educational kits for your fun, pleasure, and education in kit
building.

Investigators believe world class "kidnappers and organized crime" are using
things like our $5.95 wireless microphone kits for their "surreptitious"
international espionage use!  When in reality, they've been used for years
and years as a valuable educational kit used in things like model trains,
amateur radio, school projects, Scout projects, baby monitoring and more.

Further, our FM-5 kit has become the most popular "starter" kit to learn all
about Surface Mount Technology.  Schools use them around the Country for
their students first hands-on project with SMT!

Yes, we've been advised that some of our award winning low cost hobby kits,
the same ones you see below, and that were FORMERLY ordered by thousands of
scouts, schools and hobbyists for all these years, might be in violation of
US Code Title 18, Section 2512 because they believe their "primary use" was
designed for such "surreptitious" use, and not for hobby, and educational
use.  Our catalogs have always had a very specific notice  regarding the
proper use of these products, and strongly warns against such improper use,
but apparently that wasn't good enough either....GO FIGURE!

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      Russell McMahon
_____________________________

>From other worlds - www.easttimor.com
                                www.sudan.com

What can one man* do?
Help the hungry at no cost to yourself!
at  http://www.thehungersite.com/

(* - or woman, child or internet enabled intelligent entity :-))