However, since that column was written a couple of days ago, the Minister for Organising A Jolly Good Party (Olympics Minister) has been very quietly
wizened up on the potential for damaging interference these devices represent to the Olympic Games next year. He is NOT amused.

The ACA missed a couple of key words from the Class Licence documentation. There was supposed to be a clause to restrict operation on the band to
garage door openers and the like. These gadgets would transmit for, what? Half a second tops? In other words, a few moments of pain and noise gone!
There was never any deliberate intention to allow voice communications on this allocation.

It is our understanding that there are quite a few red faces over this one. I am very disappointed that a major advertiser has seemingly chosen to put
profit above pragmatism and common sense by releasing a device which has the potential to cause such damaging interference to the amateur service.

However, the ACA does have in its options box the ability to ban use of these devices by anybody other than licensed amateurs, and I further
understand this step is being investigated now.

We wait with bated breath...

73 from Chris Edmondson, VK3CE
Managing Director,
Edmondson Pty. Ltd.,
Box 1 Yarra Road,
Wonga Park,
Victoria 3115
Australia

Editor/Publisher: Radio and Communications magazine
Director: The Radio Book Store

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