Cheap radios from OS

[drcuzo]

Ken and I were discussing radios on sunday at the Knob. I was telling him that there was a supplier in HK with great prices.

www.rc-spareparts.com/jr-propo-pcm-9x-ii-v2-p-1495.html

This is a very cheap price for this radio.

Unfortunately, Mark Kyle (see todays post in Big Black One) told me that all Australia importers are responsible for insuring their radios are certified for use in Australia. On the back there is a sticker with this certification. The radios from OS are out of the same factory and likely have the same specs but without the sticker you are not flying legally in Australia.

So What!!

So, likely no problem if you do not fly at club sites like Bald Knob. But if you use one of these radios at a club site you breach MAAA regulations, therefore no insurance and you AND THE CLUB are liable for damages. Apparently the power boys are onto this and now have regular checks to confirm all radios are certified.

I have 2 radios from OS without the sticker. I will continue to use these at other sites but I will not use then on club sites in the future.


FYI, Steve

[jirvin4505]

c-tick issues.... more info...

Not sure yet where to jump on the 2.4 wagon and how to confront the c-tick issues.

I have found this and the linked threads very informative and a balanced appraisal of the issues.

Some of the posts have shown a real depth of research to sort out the bull from the facts..

Futaba FASST, buying from USA and C-Tick issues
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=892270

enjoy ...
cheers Jeff

[skyboyken]

Thanks Steve and Jeff!

Here's a copy of one post from the link Jeff has provided. IMO it is a good summary of the discussion:

"Actually we need to remember that the C-Tick has to be applied by the importer onto the radio as it is an ACMA requirement for the importer to do so. Note that this only applies to an importer who will then on-sell that radio into the normal consumer market in Aus.

There is no requirement as far as the ACMA is concerned to have a C-tick sticker attached to your radio if you bring it in for your own use, its just an issue if you are importing these things to resell to a 3rd party. The C-tick sticker just ensures that the end user/consumer is protected so they can be re-assured that the equipment meets specs without the consumer having to dig up FCC specs etc just as we have done in the above links.

If we carefully read the MAAA's position on all this [in MOP 058], it states exactly what is pretty much outlined in this thread. No-where does the MAAA state that you cannot fly without a C-Tick Sticker attached to your radio - They just recommend that you have a C-Tick sticker attached so you are then comfortable with the knowledge that your Tx meets ACMA specs.

Unfortunately some Clubs and Retailers? (not the MAAA) have mis-interpreted the documentation and state that you cannot fly without a C-tick sticker, which is basically untrue as far as the MAAA and any insurance issues are concerned.

As Filby has mentioned if there was any issue with regards to an incident and your Tx had no C-Tick, all you require is the FCC label as far as identification is concerned because that traces the transmitter back to the FCC specs and tests which all meet and exceed ACMA specs/requirements for the 2.4GHz band as noted throughout this thread!

In all honesty, the FCC label is actually a much better indicator as as you guys have seen. The label allows anybody to easily identify the actual FCC ID numbers pertaining to the FCC tests which we have traced back to the actual testing/conformance documents. The FCC label provides us with a lot more detail than what the C-Tick does."

The thread Jeff links to has supporting documentation for all statements in the above quote.

So the MAAA accepts FCC certifications, in particular for 2.4GHz equipment. This means that any 2.4GHz gear that has been certified in the USA by the FCC is legal for use in Australia. However, as the linked thread says, without a C-Tick sticker the onus is on the Tx owner to demonstrate compliance in the event of an insurance claim being made. The FCC has a public-searchable website for just such an occurrence.

So Steve you can buy your 2.4GHz Tx from overseas if you wish. It would be wise to check that it comes with an FCC sticker inside though.

Ken.

[jase]

the only other thing of mention if buying from overseas is that your purchasing the right frequency. eg 36mhz. not 35, 75, etc