I have an Amateur Radio license. The conditions of that license grants the FCC the right to inspect my station. But---they have to notify me in advance and make an appointment. If they find I'm not operating within the parameters of my license, they can seize my ham transmitter.
But, that's all. They cannot seize anything else. The FCC has been working with Ham operators for almost a century. There has been seizures but all have been legal and due to improper or illegal use of the equipment. Conversely, those who do not have a license do not have to allow the FCC on their property without a search warrant and an accompanying law enforcement officer.
There's too much being made of this that just ain't so.
Frankly, my reloading bench is right next to my Kenwood TS-520 transceiver.
I also have a license, extra class, which isn't really relevant, the real point is that the law doesn't matter, the jbt's in every form and at every level claim jurisdiction and authority and use it to great excess regardless of law with no or very few consequences. You can say they can't seize this or that with little effect when they have done it already and your property is trashed, and you in jail, the hospital, or the morgue.
The IRS and the Postal Service have SWAT teams. It would be no surprise if the FCC did too. Everybody better be nice, and so will we. If you think my electronic equipment is incorrect, you call, you ASK, you say "Sir," "Please" and "Thank you." Heavyhanded is exactly the wrong style.
Next thing you know, they will arrest you because your electronic device complies with fcc part 15 - may cause harmful interference. your cell phone, iPod, etc... it caused a disruption, there for you are responsible and will be prosecuted.
"There's too much being made of this that just ain't so."
I would agree... any wi-fi router bought at retail would use normal frequencies... to get it to do otherwise, you at the very least have to overwrite the firmware and probably would have to even crack it open and modify the transmitter...
this is not going to affect anyone that isnt specifically trying to use frequencies that arent normally used for WI-FI...
now that isnt saying that i agree that they should have warrantless powers... but that this is very unlikely to be used...
Guys, read the linked article. This isn't some wild-eyed conspiracy theorist ranting, it's the FCC that's saying it:
“Anything using RF energy — we have the right to inspect it to make sure it is not causing interference,” FCC spokesman David Fiske told Wired for an article Thursday. The FCC spokesman said the scope included Wi-Fi routers.
I'm an Extra Class, too, and I've dealt with the Field Office many times locating interference on our Amateur bands from commercial sources. While I've always found the local guys to be good people, it wouldn't surprise me there could be some warrantless searches conducted. Having WiFi could just be a premise to get into your place and seize your stuff. They're a Federal Agency, and I'm sure they could "borrow" or be persuaded to "borrow" a few JBT's to get the "job" done.
If you want an example of how ridiculous Feds can be even w/ a search warrant, there was a case back in 1990 where the FBI raided a company that made Role-Playing Game and, confiscated most of their computer equipment and manuscripts.
The reason?
They were designing a game called Cyberpunk that the FBI took to be a 'a handbook for computer crime.' After near bankruptcy, they finally got their stuff back w/ much of it being damaged or destroyed.
A huge point is being missed on this topic. a wifi router only sends a signal out for a matter of feet and not too many at that. This is nothing but a starting point for parasites to jump down on people as Big Brother. That parasite running his jaws in this story is a chicken shit coward who will never be on the front line of a no warrant raid. He is a slimy as a piece of shit coward can get. He wants to attack the freedom and Constitutional rights of the citizens of this country so he can feel like some kind of bad ass. Which he will never be.
An unfortunately logical progression as fedzilla is intent on ending all net anonymity and open wifi access by mandating id before access coupled with indefinite retention of surfing sessions and emails (sponsored by Cornyn (R TX) I believe...there is speculation this will filter down to the home wifi user, not just the coffee shop or hotel w/free net access. Guess FCC will be fielding swat squads with milli-micro-volt field strength meters to snuff, er sniff, us out.
I don't have wifi, but I sure as Hell have an intruder dissuader.
ReplyDeleteWithout a warrant they are intruders, just like any other criminal who enters a home without invitation.
I have an Amateur Radio license. The conditions of that license grants the FCC the right to inspect my station. But---they have to notify me in advance and make an appointment. If they find I'm not operating within the parameters of my license, they can seize my ham transmitter.
ReplyDeleteBut, that's all. They cannot seize anything else. The FCC has been working with Ham operators for almost a century. There has been seizures but all have been legal and due to improper or illegal use of the equipment. Conversely, those who do not have a license do not have to allow the FCC on their property without a search warrant and an accompanying law enforcement officer.
There's too much being made of this that just ain't so.
Frankly, my reloading bench is right next to my Kenwood TS-520 transceiver.
I also have a license, extra class, which isn't really relevant, the real point is that the law doesn't matter, the jbt's in every form and at every level claim jurisdiction and authority and use it to great excess regardless of law with no or very few consequences. You can say they can't seize this or that with little effect when they have done it already and your property is trashed, and you in jail, the hospital, or the morgue.
ReplyDeleteThe IRS and the Postal Service have SWAT teams. It would be no surprise if the FCC did too.
ReplyDeleteEverybody better be nice, and so will we. If you think my electronic equipment is incorrect, you call, you ASK, you say "Sir," "Please" and "Thank you." Heavyhanded is exactly the wrong style.
Next thing you know, they will arrest you because your electronic device complies with fcc part 15 - may cause harmful interference. your cell phone, iPod, etc... it caused a disruption, there for you are responsible and will be prosecuted.
ReplyDelete"There's too much being made of this that just ain't so."
ReplyDeleteI would agree... any wi-fi router bought at retail would use normal frequencies... to get it to do otherwise, you at the very least have to overwrite the firmware and probably would have to even crack it open and modify the transmitter...
this is not going to affect anyone that isnt specifically trying to use frequencies that arent normally used for WI-FI...
now that isnt saying that i agree that they should have warrantless powers... but that this is very unlikely to be used...
Guys, read the linked article. This isn't some wild-eyed conspiracy theorist ranting, it's the FCC that's saying it:
ReplyDelete“Anything using RF energy — we have the right to inspect it to make sure it is not causing interference,” FCC spokesman David Fiske told Wired for an article Thursday. The FCC spokesman said the scope included Wi-Fi routers.
I'm an Extra Class, too, and I've dealt with the Field Office many times locating interference on our Amateur bands from commercial sources. While I've always found the local guys to be good people, it wouldn't surprise me there could be some warrantless searches conducted. Having WiFi could just be a premise to get into your place and seize your stuff. They're a Federal Agency, and I'm sure they could "borrow" or be persuaded to "borrow" a few JBT's to get the "job" done.
ReplyDeleteIf you want an example of how ridiculous Feds can be even w/ a search warrant, there was a case back in 1990 where the FBI raided a company that made Role-Playing Game and, confiscated most of their computer equipment and manuscripts.
ReplyDeleteThe reason?
They were designing a game called Cyberpunk that the FBI took to be a 'a handbook for computer crime.' After near bankruptcy, they finally got their stuff back w/ much of it being damaged or destroyed.
A huge point is being missed on this topic. a wifi router only sends a signal out for a matter of feet and not too many at that.
ReplyDeleteThis is nothing but a starting point for parasites to jump down on people as Big Brother.
That parasite running his jaws in this story is a chicken shit coward who will never be on the front line of a no warrant raid. He is a slimy as a piece of shit coward can get. He wants to attack the freedom and Constitutional rights of the citizens of this country so he can feel like some kind of bad ass. Which he will never be.
An unfortunately logical progression as fedzilla is intent on ending all net anonymity and open wifi access by mandating id before access coupled with indefinite retention of surfing sessions and emails (sponsored by Cornyn (R TX) I believe...there is speculation this will filter down to the home wifi user, not just the coffee shop or hotel w/free net access. Guess FCC will be fielding swat squads with milli-micro-volt field strength meters to snuff, er sniff, us out.
ReplyDeleteGood luck folks