FCC Bans Open Source router firmware
-
@JaredBusch said:
Generally there is a cost savings, thus this is a "cheaper" option and I always make sure to bring it up in order to point out the reasons not to do it. This is, to me, the only way to do business. I do consistently tell potential clients that I am not going to give them the cheapest quote or cheapest rate. But they will not have to call me two or three times and end up paying more int he long run.
My experience has been that when presented with a cheaper option, many clients will go for it. That is why I leave it off the table unless they bring it up for the options I am presenting.
And today, when considering a Ubiquiti ERL or even a 5 port EdgeRouter and a single UAP (that comes with a power injector) it's hard to beat the $160'ish price tag Scott mentioned earlier.
-
You mean I can't use the Japanese frequencies anymore for the 5Ghz band?
Just as Scott was saying, this doesn't impact third party firmware, it impact the ability for third party firmware writers to go "Now don't use this frequencies if you are in the US"
Same problem with 802.11b congestion caused me to flip to channel 14 for a while. I had gear that could do it, and I had endpoints that would support it. Since I kept my radios under 1W, most folks wouldn't know I was using it. Now if I started to pump the power out to 2W or more with that, then the FCC can come ahead and bust my ass and rightly so. Don't spew crap over the airwaves. The FCC is brutally efficient in sniffing out this kind of stuff.
-
@PSX_Defector said:
The FCC is brutally efficient in sniffing out this kind of stuff.
Really? I'm not so sure about that. I've read about and done some very ... sketchy home brew stuff. Unless they have vans driving around town ala WW2 nazi hunter style I don't see them finding you. In fact, I'd put a strong argument up for that being the reason for this silly regulation.
-
@MattSpeller said:
@PSX_Defector said:
The FCC is brutally efficient in sniffing out this kind of stuff.
Really? I'm not so sure about that. I've read about and done some very ... sketchy home brew stuff. Unless they have vans driving around town ala WW2 nazi hunter style I don't see them finding you. In fact, I'd put a strong argument up for that being the reason for this silly regulation.
They actually do have those vans. They take reports of unlicensed spectrum broadcasting very seriously, and radio operators will know when you are broadcasting where you shouldn't and report you very quickly. When I didn't have a license, I would do sketchy stuff. Ever since I got one back in 1997, I've never strayed from what I broadcast out unless I know I can get away with it. Channel 14 on 500mW won't get very far unless the FCC Party Van is parked right next to the house.
Keeping it under a watt should keep most people unaware, as at that power it won't get very far outside your own home. It's the fucknuts who blast at 5W+, which you can get close to with some of the third party firmware gear. And if they are not clean with their wave, it can spill into other channels and critical services. The 5Ghz is pretty narrow with a lot of licensed frequency next to it. That's what the FCC is trying to keep clean.
-
-
@MattSpeller said:
@PSX_Defector said:
They actually do have those vans.
color me suprised I suppose
I know you are more used to the 4chan party van.
-
@MattSpeller said:
@PSX_Defector said:
The FCC is brutally efficient in sniffing out this kind of stuff.
Really? I'm not so sure about that. I've read about and done some very ... sketchy home brew stuff. Unless they have vans driving around town ala WW2 nazi hunter style I don't see them finding you. In fact, I'd put a strong argument up for that being the reason for this silly regulation.
Yup, the FCC vans are famous and are one of the government agencies for which there is no need for a warrant for search and seizure.
-
@scottalanmiller said:
@MattSpeller said:
@PSX_Defector said:
The FCC is brutally efficient in sniffing out this kind of stuff.
Really? I'm not so sure about that. I've read about and done some very ... sketchy home brew stuff. Unless they have vans driving around town ala WW2 nazi hunter style I don't see them finding you. In fact, I'd put a strong argument up for that being the reason for this silly regulation.
Yup, the FCC vans are famous and are one of the government agencies for which there is no need for a warrant for search and seizure.
It's more analogous to shouting at the top of your lungs for everyone to hear your nefarious deeds. The fact that radio emissions are flooding the airwaves is enough probable cause for the FCC to get involved just as if a cop heard someone screaming from inside your house.
Since radio has had 100+ years of history behind it, the laws are shaped well because the technology is well understood. That's why it's generally illegal at the moment to drive around with an infrared camera pointed at houses looking for heavy duty heat signatures without a warrant but using a wireless scanner is not.
-
All of this did lead me to finding a really cool webpage - warning, you will get sucked in and spend 15min looking at cool stuff!
-
How did this thread lead you to that page?
