Re: [Discuss-gnuradio] FCC creates obstacles for Open Source software radio

[Lamar Owen]

On Friday 06 July 2007, Philip Balister wrote:
> Found on /. I wonder how much Cisco paid for the words ....
>
> http://news.com.com/Feds+snub+open+source+for+smart+radios/2100-1041_3-6195
>102.html?tag=nefd.lede

Well, quite honestly, Cisco's only costs would have been the lawyer time and 
the filing of the petition.

This action to me seems rather reasonable.  The only software that the FCC is 
worried about is that which sets the radio's operating mode, emission mask, 
and transmit power.  Given the FCC's well-known reticence to radio anarchy 
this is as much of a concession as could be expected at this time.

Yes, I said concession.  This is actually a relaxation of the interpretation 
of the rule; the FCC recognized the usefulness of open source in this, and 
intentionally narrowed the scope.  The specific mention of amateur equipment 
(if you think of the USRP as a radio, it is amateur equipment; it is, 
however, marketed as test equipment (and the part 15 rules apply)) is a very 
good thing.

Petitions can be filed to this M R&O too, if the new rule isn't to anyone's 
liking.

But is open source less secure, when the item being secured is 'how do I 
manipulate the operating frequency, power, and mode of this radio?'  
Discussion, anyone?
-- 
Lamar Owen
Chief Information Officer
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
1 PARI Drive
Rosman, NC  28772
(828)862-5554
www.pari.edu