Hi Guys,

I was just reading today's newspaper and the above heading caught my attention, its on the first page of TOI..

The custom officials at the mumbai port trust have decided that they will destroy all the radio operated planes about 3,000 imported from china, taiwan & korea on the grounds that they pose a serious security threat. These planes especially the chinese planes can intercept frequency bands used by their security agencies.  

And in india the models can only be flown on Amplitude Modulation (AM).  As per the national frequency allocation table the frequency spots 27,004 kilohertz (khz), 27,116khz, 27,148khz, 27,156khz, 27,228khz are ear-marked for RC aircraft.

I guess there wont be much of importing nw   Congress Zindabad  

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/3000-Chinese-radio-planes-to-be-destroyed/articleshow/4839884.cms

Since they mention radio equipment, they must be the cheap Chinese RTF ones.

"Importing" You kidding?? We are looking at a sort of ban here!! But according to what I know the 27Mhz and the 2.4Ghz are delicensed and can be used.  Use of 72, 40 Mhz etc is illegal in India.  Officials cannot ban 2.4Ghz since all our wireless devices transmit in 2.4Ghz!  But making those custom officials understand about everything is going to be a pain.  As I was typing this, I got TOI (Chennai edition) and I dont see anything mentioned in Atul's post.  Probably the rule is being framed by Mumbai officials only!! Bad break dude!!

I always carry a printout of the govt webpage where the delicensing rules are written and it clearly specifies that use of 27Mhz and 2.4Ghz is permitted!!

But yet again India has proved to abhor us aeromodellers !!

And I heard that the Turbine Jet Championships might be held in India in 2010 or max 2011!!

With absolutely no kind of motivation from the Indian govt., how are we expected to host such a mega event here let alone participate??

- Chan

They mention repeatedly that "state" rules are violated, not "national" rules.  I guess this is a Maharashtra only thing (for now?), and that is probably why it is not showing up in other editions of TOI.

that maybe the case, but as chan said 72 will be illegal. most of us use 72, so what will be now ?

2.4GHZ!!!!!

hmmm..
good news for dealers..
 

Yep, yet another reason for 2.4  

And remember, Futaba rocks    

PS: It is like getting married; now that it is a done deal (bought Futaba already!), one's girl/wife is the prettiest (Futaba is the best), no matter how many others (even better ones) are out there      

agree with u..
i m glad i have two of them
 

I guess these are the toy class .
I think this is nth time we are having this ban matter  got a bit sick of it though.
I think it is better for us not to make too much of these on the net god knows whom you will wake up with the noise we are making

sai

Anwar ,
I did not think you are the one married to the Futaba family LOL

Sai

Anwar has vouched his daughter for the Futaba family... That is one wedding I won't want to miss... Guess Anwar is just preparing himself for the big day...

Saju

That is indeed sad.
Bad news for importers in MH. I think there were several companies who were trying to import new ARFs, IndianHobbies being one of them ? ( i was awaiting the BlackHorse ARFs ).

Perhaps time for everyone to stock the 2.4Ghz radios, as now there is a very big reason for people to opt form them instead of the 72Mhz ones.

On a lighter note, we all are happy that very soon the RCIndia community would be "related" to the Futaba family, and hopefully Anwar, will share the "gifts" from this alliance ! 

Gaurav

There is no ban on importing planes, only those RTF ones using illegal frequencies. What can a few balsa sticks stuck in shape with flimsy covering do to anyone - except of course making ppl drool and wanting them to buy a truck load of those 

Hey,
Why don't we form an association or club of RCINDIA members, register the association  and Issue ID's and collect contact details, address etc  etc tabulate it and post it on the site so that any governmental agency can verify the same as verified  aero Modelers .
With the membership we could be a PAN Indian official Club who meet on the Net.

I know some of you might throw stones at me for this 

good idea sir,
but lets not do it until there is complete ban on flying, bcz if we took such step now, probably flying may be banned if it not have to be..
so lets make legal plans, and be ready , if such situation occurs we can request a meeting with the officials..
otherwise we will protest 
anyways nothing gonna stop us to fly 

I have always said this. Associations should be local, at least to start off.  Because most of the time, the issue can be resolved with the local authorities. 

Of course, if there is an issue that effects everyone, all associations can come together and raise the issue with higher authorities. 

RC India can be the co-ordinating point, but we don't want to be in the ID issuing business.  That is best done locally.

Amir, is that Futaba or...... !!!

I think this forum could  do good to the hobby by rallying round individual city  clubs and their office bearers .

Sai

Is ToI always scare-mongering RC ? 

 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/582847.cms

Some response.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Mumbai/Enthusiasts-say-law-is-half-baked/articleshow/4839578.cms

really it is scary to read the news today morning...

well the news also have a typo, which states KHz instead of MHz.

Even we accept the typo error then also there iare not much Tx/Rx  on 27MHz band.
The WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination) should change the 1951 Wireless & Telegraph act to accomodate more frequency
At least 35MHz, 40MHz, 72MHz and 2.44GHz.

I think there are many RC enthusiasts who hold top positions in Govt.
They should come out now and help survive this hobby.

why not a signature campaign, and we should involve ministry of tourism, Youth affairs and Sports to look into this matter?

I think talking to the media may help spread the message, than talking to the officials.  The media will convey the message to a broader audience, including officials who are otherwise not easily approachable.

The earlier article I posted with response from RC fliers is a good step. 

If the government is worried about the use of these items for acts of terrorism, they should very well be aware that all these are available here in one form  or the other. Balsa/ply/foam is available, glue is available, motors, batteries, IC engines etc are available, radio equipment is available in the "legal" 27Mhz band; and so on.  Preventing new stuff is not going to deter people who are determined to cause trouble.

A good/great way of publicity is to have public shows. These are preferrably not flying shows but just static displays of models. For example get all your models out and put them up on a static display say at a mall in the city. Let ppl come and see these, learn about the stuff, meet modellers get to know what this hobby is about. I've seen similar mall shows abroad and those are pretty good at generating participation.

lets be prepared for any case!!
and lets enjoy the hobby to the fullest until there is some legal seriousness ( hope it shud not ).