Neowin.net - UK 'bans' iPod radio add-on

UK 'bans' iPod radio add-on

Posted by TheFamousGeoff on 01 August 2003 - 10:00 · 12 comments & 1331 views

Griffin Technologies' iTrip iPod add-on is illegal in the UK, British distributor A M Micro has said.

The iTrip connects to an iPod and transmits songs by FM radio to any radio receiver in the vicinity. While its operation in the US is permitted by the Federal Communications Commission, over here the device contravenes the UK Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949.

Unlike the 2.4GHz band in which 802.11b Wi-Fi operates, or 802.11a's 5HGz band, for example, the 87.7-107.9MHz band used by the iTrip is not licence-exempt spectrum, according to the WTA. As such broadcasters hoping to use that part of the spectrum need the permission of the UK's Radio Agency.

The rules state that UK broadcasters have unique access to the frequencies they have licensed, and that, say the RA, means the iTrip can't transmit on frequencies already taken in the FM band. A M Micro can't license a section of the band and dedicate it to iTrip users because all the available FM frequencies have already been licensed.

News source: The Reg

Cost isn't an issue - it's only £339 ($548) a year for VHF stations with under 100,000 listeners. That said, anyone using the iTrip would also need to cough up £500 ($808) a year to the Performing Rights Society to cover royalty payments to artists whose music is broadcast.

Of course, the iTrip broadcasts at very low power - the device itself draws all the power it needs from the iPod itself - but it's still enough to intrude on a broadcaster's licensed frequency, potentially interfering with listeners who have tuned into a specific station.

The bottom line, says A M Micro, is that using iTrip is an offence akin to operating a pirate radio station. If caught, the user faces prosecution, as does the dealer for selling him or her their iTrip. Not surprisingly, A M Micro wants to avoid that. ®

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(1 reply) #1 Posted by Tom Servo on 01 Aug 2003 - 10:30: Good that it's forbidden, I dont suddenly wanna hear my neighbours iPod playlist on my favorite radio station.

#2 Posted by jsuen on 01 Aug 2003 - 10:48: There's plenty of these devices in the US. In fact, you're allowed to transmit, or rather radiate, in almost any band (the exceptions are aircraft and public safety bands). There's a large list of maximum field strengths for each band and these things won't work over 30 feet. Certain bands such as 2.4 GHz ISM allow you to use more power as long as certain other requirements are met, bandwidth for example.

It fits within the policy that you can do whatever you like, as long as it doesn't affect your neighbors. EMC certification for computers is based on the same concept, and IIRC the same list.

For the FCC, it would be called an intentional radiator, not a broadcast radio station. There's absolutely no reason why you would need a license for the content.

(1 reply) #3 Posted by MR_Candyman on 01 Aug 2003 - 11:33

QUOTE

A M Micro can't license a section of the band and dedicate it to iTrip users because all the available FM frequencies have already been licensed.

I HIGHLY doubt that! I can't see every possible frequency being licenced, because who'd pay for it knowing that you can get interference from slightly different frequencies.

#3.1 Posted by Jon on 01 Aug 2003 - 12:48: You dont get it, that frequency band is ALL we use for public broadcast.
Every regional station, and all the main stations (bbc radio1>6 or so) are in that range from 80 odd up to 106. Just above it you'll find olrd police frequencies IIRC.

Sure we mirror some stations on LW/AM, but no one listens or cares.

The UK is *carefull* about the allocation of frequencies, and it works very very well.
I'm a qualified radio ham, and am all to familiar with how careful we have to be regarding excesive signal propagation. Thats why we have to keep very extensive log books... so we can prove that its not us interfering with out neighbours TV at 9pm on sunday. (I havn't used a rig for about 10yrs. The net is better )

(1 reply) #4 Posted by Garrett Socling on 01 Aug 2003 - 12:30: And I thought that the US was draconian and absurd when it came to massively overregulating the FM band and suppressing the 'free and public airways'...

Looks like the UK is even more anal..

'Oh no! Someone is radiating at 101.1FM with a 30' radius! CALL THE POLICE!!!'

Give me a frikkin break...

EDIT : No one has to worry about these devices intruding on existing radio stations. If one tries to compete with any commercial station head-to-head on a given frequency, it is going to get absolutely SWAMPED. Think of the light radiated by a smouldering piece of coal compared to that put out by a light on a sports field for nighttime play. We are talking ORDERS of magnitude difference in power output. Milliwatts compared to kilowatts. A local station here where I live puts out 50,000 watts and I can pick it up pretty good although it is about 45 miles away. It is up a valley from where I live, but you get the idea of exactly how powerful a 'real' radio station is.
So, users of these devices need to find VERY quiet spots on the dial just to get them to work with any acceptable performance.

G

Last edited by 17559 on 01 Aug 2003 - 12:37

#5 Posted by idbuythatforadollar on 01 Aug 2003 - 13:05: if they restricted the device to 3 meters or something, that would be far cooler...

and about your neighbours broadcasting on the same freqency as your fave radio station, im sure a polite request to move it down a Hz would solve the problem. i really doubt they would do it purposley to piss you off. despite english soaps and 'neighbours from hell' tv shows, real people arent like that.

(1 reply) #6 Posted by headless_armadillo on 01 Aug 2003 - 15:22: 3 metres!! a lot of use that would be :p
tom

#7 Posted by nathanintu on 01 Aug 2003 - 21:11: This is a load of crap!

Here in Australia, anything below 90.0 is used for narrowcasting which only broadcasts for a subburb, and things like itrip, wireless mobile phone car kits broadcast in feq below 90.0. because it wont do any harm below that feq.

#8 Posted by Icepick4u on 02 Aug 2003 - 03:56: I have one of this aparatus the Irock
is a pice of crap, in my car, connected with an archos recorder, can't reach the minimum audible level,
i suggest to the UK auth.
don't bother too much

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