UHF/VHF transceiver needed

[Berkut]

I didn't want to bring it up in an effort to avoid being derailed by BERKUT, but back in the day I had a 'Standard' brand HT, that if I remember correctly can switch between am and fm modulation.

I'm not trying to be rude. I'm only trying to keep the guy from wasting hundreds of dollars on a radio that isn't going to do what he wants.

The radio you are probably thinking of is the Vertex Standard VXA-700, which is a combination air band/ two meter handheld. It is capable of AM, since it's an airband radio. However, it cannot be modified to work on UHF.

The Yeasu VX-7R handheld is capable of AM only on six meters, even with the extended transmit mod.

Leaving all that aside, if there does happen to be some VHF/UHF handheld ham radio that can be suitably modified (I doubt one exists), it would still be illegal to transmit on a band for which that radio isn't certified. The FCC could yank any of your licenses that they've issued, including your restricted radiotelephone operator. Try explaining that one in an interview.

 

[TWA]

It doesn't matter what your radio can do, it's how you use is that gets you in trouble. If he has a valid reason to be able to transmit in the military UHF band, then he has nothing to worry about. If it's some kid that thinks it would be cool to talk to an F16 pilot, then you have trouble.

 

[tathepilot]

it would still be illegal to transmit on a band for which that radio isn't certified.

I don't remember this being a regulation.. Transmitting on a band you're licensed for yes, but not specifically a radio..

 

[Berkut]

It doesn't matter what your radio can do, it's how you use is that gets you in trouble. If he has a valid reason to be able to transmit in the military UHF band, then he has nothing to worry about.

I don't remember this being a regulation.. Transmitting on a band you're licensed for yes, but not specifically a radio..

TWA and tathepilot, here is the applicable regulation:

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR87.145]

[Page 199-200]

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

PART 87_AVIATION SERVICES--Table of Contents

Subpart D_Technical Requirements

Sec. 87.145 Acceptability of transmitters for licensing.

(a) Each transmitter must be certificated for use in these services,

except as listed in paragraph (c) of this section.

The exemptions listed in paragraph (c) are for test equipment and the like, and do not apply in this case. You can also reference 87.147, which specifies the technical requirements that a transmitter must meet before it can be approved for use in the aviation service.

This is what the FCC used to call "Type Acceptance." Where the confusion comes in is there are no type acceptance requirements for operating in the amateur radio service. If you can cobble together a transmitter from a stolen iPod using an empty can of hair gel for an antenna, you can use it legally on the amateur bands. However, that does not mean that you may use an amateur radio transmitter (which requires no type acceptance on its own band) to operate in the aviation service (which does have a requirement for type acceptance).

Clear as mud, no?