karn (08/05/82)
If you can, look at the editorial in the August issue of Ham Radio. There are some very scary developments in local and state laws that affect radio amateurs. What follows are just some excerpts: It is now illegal in California to make or sell "any device or component that could be used in a device that could be used to unscramble pay-TV signals". The way this law is written, you could be arrested for selling a 555 timer IC, because it is possible to use one in an ON-TV decoder. "In Burbank, Illinois, a suburban Chicago community of about 40,000, the operation of \any/ transmitter that interferes with \any/ TV, 'musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device designed for the production or reproduction of sound' is now a criminal offense. The penalty is a fine of $25 to $1000 for each violation or each day the violation continues, and those violating the ordinance are also subject to arrest..." These people need educating FAST. The local hams are planning a court battle; they can use all the support they can get. I would urge people to write the Burbank city council, and the ARRL to urge them to support the fight (according to the editorial, they haven't committed themselves to the challenge yet). Phil