Prohibiting illegal use of two way radios

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ResponseMediaNZ

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#239752 2-Aug-2018 14:03

Just come out from RSM and I am sure more will come out in due course

Radio Spectrum Management Business Update - August 2018

Prohibiting illegal use of two way radios

The RSM Compliance team are working on a Prohibition Notice to limit the import and illegal use of a range of low end two way radios.

There are a variety of these radios on the market, like Baofeng, Pofung and Woxun for example. They allow users to programme their own frequency from the front panel or via a USB cable. Although designed for the Amateur Radio Operator, these radios in the wrong hands have been attributed to malicious calls on police, forestry and rail frequencies.

The import of Amateur two way radios locked to the Amateur bands won’t be affected by this new Notice.

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#2067043 2-Aug-2018 18:09

Although I agree with the intention of this. Long term, operators will need to use radios with built in encryption to avoid malicious transmission on their frequencies. (won't stop jamming, but would still help)

And of course, better enforcement is needed. As it has always been illegal to make false Police or emergency reports.

Also, my understanding is that you have to have an amateur radio callsign to be allowed to transmit on the amateur radio bands. (something that I have been meaning to get for ages)

elbrownos

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#2067243 3-Aug-2018 09:11

I have a Baofeng UV-5R, it's an amazingly versatile radio considering it cost $34 delivered from Aliexpress.

I only use it on the UHF CB channels (477 MHz) but it's capable of transmitting anywhere from 400 to 520 MHz, hence it's not legal.

I wonder how much customs scrutinise parcels from Aliexpress. Not much probably, considering people have been able to get marimo moss balls into the country.

muppet

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#2067249 3-Aug-2018 09:21

elbrownos:

I have a Baofeng UV-5R, it's an amazingly versatile radio considering it cost $34 delivered from Aliexpress.

I only use it on the UHF CB channels (477 MHz) but it's capable of transmitting anywhere from 400 to 520 MHz, hence it's not legal.

I wonder how much customs scrutinise parcels from Aliexpress. Not much probably, considering people have been able to get marimo moss balls into the country.

These sound terribly illegal, thanks for the heads up on them, I'm gonna buy a bunch!

MikeAqua

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#2067250 3-Aug-2018 09:28

I have a couple of VHFs (one fixed and one handheld) and you are required to have a call-sign and an operators licence for them - although you can use one in an emergency without either.

Mike

ResponseMediaNZ

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#2067267 3-Aug-2018 09:32

MikeAqua:

I have a couple of VHFs (one fixed and one handheld) and you are required to have a call-sign and an operators licence for them - although you can use one in an emergency without either.

Yup Marine, Aviation and Amateur bands all require licences

Land Mobile does not but requires the Frequency to be licenced

MikeAqua

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#2067284 3-Aug-2018 09:51

ResponseMediaNZ:

MikeAqua:

I have a couple of VHFs (one fixed and one handheld) and you are required to have a call-sign and an operators licence for them - although you can use one in an emergency without either.

Yup Marine, Aviation and Amateur bands all require licences

Land Mobile does not but requires the Frequency to be licenced

I must admit I get a kick out of having/using a call sign.

"This is Bluefin. Zulu, Mike, Uniform ..."

Mike

frankv

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#2067407 3-Aug-2018 12:02

Interesting disparity between the headline "Prohibiting illegal use of two way radios" and what they are actually doing. Illegal use of radios is already prohibited. Duh!

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tripper1000

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#2067440 3-Aug-2018 12:54

elbrownos: I wonder how much customs scrutinise parcels from Aliexpress. Not much probably, considering people have been able to get marimo moss balls into the country.

Apparently customs are very good at intercepting the GPS dog collars for hunters. Many models use a freq that is private in NZ, so they get impounded. Customs will just added free tuning walkie-talkie's to the pile.

elpenguino

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#2067464 3-Aug-2018 13:47

tripper1000:

elbrownos: I wonder how much customs scrutinise parcels from Aliexpress. Not much probably, considering people have been able to get marimo moss balls into the country.

Apparently customs are very good at intercepting the GPS dog collars for hunters. Many models use a freq that is private in NZ, so they get impounded. Customs will just added free tuning walkie-talkie's to the pile.

Problem is all the 'good' gear works the same way (motorola, tait etc) - it's all set on frequency per customer. One way to stop import of these goods is on grounds of absence of type approval.

Meanwhile, thanks for the tip, will order now :-)

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

mdooher

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#2067476 3-Aug-2018 14:29

Instead of banning the radios, why not provide a pre approved config file (just an excel spreadsheet) for people to download into their radios?

Most people buy these because you get a really really good 5W handheld for $30...not the $300 you pay here. All most people do with them is program them to mimic the ones available here anyway.

Some users (me) program them to work on marine frequencies and to receive on civil defense frequencies etc. but if I screw that up I don't see why others should be punished.

Our Government should be helping people not banning everything

Matthew

tripper1000

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#2067578 3-Aug-2018 16:11

mdooher: Our Government should be helping people not banning everything

Well the government is trying to help their customers - the people who have bought the license rights to a frequency that other people are infringing upon. It's a case of a handful of numb-nuts messing it up for all the responsible people.

The alternate to banning free tuning radios at the border is to spend a stack of cash to build a detection and enforcement system, which will be very NSA-esk and not overly palatable to Joe Public. It seems they're going for the method that gives best bang for (the tax) dollar.

Spelling: boarder vs border.

Oblivian

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#2067579 3-Aug-2018 16:14

tripper1000:

The alternate to banning free tuning radios at the boarder is to spend a stack of cash to build a detection and enforcement system, which will be very NSA-esk and not overly palatable to Joe Public. It seems they're going for the method that gives best bang for (the tax) dollar.

That may or may not already exist...

(keep eyes peeled next time you go past the MBIE offices on a weekend.. COUchchcGH)

mdooher

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#2067623 3-Aug-2018 17:39

tripper1000:

mdooher: Our Government should be helping people not banning everything

Well the government is trying to help their customers - the people who have bought the license rights to a frequency that other people are infringing upon. It's a case of a handful of numb-nuts messing it up for all the responsible people.

The alternate to banning free tuning radios at the border is to spend a stack of cash to build a detection and enforcement system, which will be very NSA-esk and not overly palatable to Joe Public. It seems they're going for the method that gives best bang for (the tax) dollar.

Spelling: boarder vs border.

I see these radios same way as high powered laser pointers, toy toothpick firing cross bows and buckyballs.

I own all of these, but somehow have never blinded and airline pilot, shot someone's eye out with a toothpick, let a child swallow two buckyballs more than 5 min apart or been stupid enough to program my Baofeng to transmit on disallowed frequencies.

So why does the government now not allow me to obtain any of these things? Because I might do "something"? (a bit Minority Report), because someone else might obtain them? Why should I (and most people) be punished for the minority?

Allow us to have these things, help people to keep safe and follow the law by education, even ensure the owner is fit and proper and understands the rules. But ban? No.

Well that's what I think anyway

Matthew