Page 1 of 3

PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 5:47 pm
by MrNovember
So I didn't read all of the actual rules outlined in this article but it seems like the kind of thing that some of our local builders should be aware of
http://www.effectsbay.com/2014/05/fcc-r ... or-pedals/
Apparently EHX was fined $450,000 :eek:

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:10 pm
by Chankgeez
I didn't even make it half way through that article, but I think the FCC should probably be more concerned with more common electronic devices.

Not that people shouldn't be aware of the technology of their electronics...

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:18 pm
by Achtane
What's the best fuzz for blasting through people's TVs via 16kW transmitter?

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 6:52 pm
by tuffteef
the facepalms of facepalms

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 3:55 am
by snipelfritz
Is this because with enough gain you can pick up radio signals?

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:40 am
by rfurtkamp
That's the "must accept harmful emissions" part of it I believe.

Most of this I'm not surprised - since a lot of the EHX stuff is in fact a computer in a box (but not an exempt one) and why all those devices you've bought elsewhere have the legalese on them.

Their competitors were having to pay for this compliance and hassle, and I'm sure somebody who Mr. Matthews has not done well by ratted him out.

If I was building stuff on my own on a small scale I wouldn't worry about it (any more than most of those builders have liability insurance and the like) but if I was, I'd never make a post like this to indicate I was aware of the rules. :)

Basically it's a case of 'the junk you build can't cause stuff to break', and while it used to be relatively trivial, in this era of wifi and the like, stuff like interference does matter.

For a fuzz pedal, wouldn't worry about it- but on fancy IC designs or stuff using DSP, it's a consideration.

I am not your attorney, I do not play one on TV, I am not licensed by any bar, sleep at any particular hotel last night, etc. This is not legal advice, cover your own butt. Yay.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:08 am
by Chankgeez
rfurtkamp wrote:... and while it used to be relatively trivial, in this era of wifi and the like, stuff like interference does matter.
I have a good solution for this: get rid of wifi and the like. :D

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:16 am
by rfurtkamp
I don't think the tethered masses would allow this.

They are eating their cake!

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:35 am
by Chankgeez
No, you're right, but it's a pipe dream of mine.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:38 am
by rfurtkamp
I offer wifi and spite.

And a genuine landline.

I am a man for all occasions.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:41 am
by Chankgeez
If it were up to me, I'd only have a landline.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:45 am
by rfurtkamp
If I had a choice I wouldn't have that but I'm not dumping having a phone for when bad things happen.

And since I don't leave the house, it might as well be wired in my brain.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:49 am
by Chankgeez
Yeah, it's a personal choice, unless dictated by society.

People without high technology are certainly at a disadvantage these days.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:52 am
by rfurtkamp
Yea, I don't get it but I don't get where we're going by and large.

I try to carry on conversations with people without technology interfering whenever possible.

I understand it's a dying art though.

Re: PSA: FCC pedal rules?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:57 am
by Chankgeez
Yep, technology can be a great help, but also a great distraction.