Bought one of these, are they legal in NZ?

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PaulZA

314 posts

Ultimate Geek

#146622 23-May-2014 20:58

Hey guys.

I bought one of these 7w FM transmitters on Ebay yesterday.

Here's a link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CZE-7C-7W-FM-Transmitter-Stereo-PLL-Broadcast-Radio-Station-Antenna-76-108MHz-/161089004690?pt=US_Ham_Radio_Transmitters&hash=item2581a72492

I want to know, are they legal in NZ? I know they are 7w, and the maximum legal power for unlicensed people is 1w, and thankfully they say the unit can be switched, to transmit at 1w only, even if I did transmit at maximum power, the signal won't go far, as it's a small antenna, and we live in a dip in the road, surrounded by trees.

Just out of interest, how power is 7w anyway, and how does it usually go, under best conditions, line of sight etc?

Are these devices legal to import into NZ, I looked on Customs, and related websites before I bought it, and the closest thing to being banned, are "Radio Jammers", and this is a transmitter.

Since customs said nothing about it being banned, I went ahead and bought it, but I just thought I'd check, in case, when it arrives, I start broadcasting, and then I get a knock on my door from the police.

Thanks

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B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#1052055 24-May-2014 09:19

I think you'll find it's not illegal to own it, only to use it. Customs won't be interested but RSM certainly will.
What you probably don't know is that given the right atmospheric conditions it has the possibility of being heard as far away as Australia or even further.
Under normal conditions I would expect a range of several Km or even more.
And being of Chinese origin and cheap it is likely to cause many problems in the FM and other bands due to lack of filtering etc. Even at 1w you could be in deep doo-doo.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1053056 25-May-2014 19:57

PaulZA: Wouldn't do this, but just for interest sake what would happen if somebody had to broadcast at the full power somewhere off the NZ mainland, ie Motutapu island, Great Barrier island etc? I doubt the RSM inspectors will have the equipment, ie boats to actually go to the destination, and seize the equipment, sure they could probably do it easily, but unless one's actually being a menace, and deliberately interfering with legitimate communications, they should leave you alone for longer. On a side note, changing the subject here I know, somebody actually brought it up with me in the day, is why haven't people transmitted the usual 87.5FM - 108mhz band from space? providing the technology was properly researched, and proper measures were put in place. Losing signal, through bush and rough terrain will be a thing of the past. I know, of XM in the USA, but I'm talking analog, not digital.

Simple answer to question 1? Yes RSM will come and get you. You're breaking the law which they're there to enforce. From your posts I'm beginning to think that you're not taking the RSM seriously. That's a very bad approach to be taking. If you do things illegally they will track you down, and they will fine you.

Simply answer to question 2? I'm not quite sure how to answer that in a PC way, safest is to simply say that quite frankly it won't work.