RC India

When we started flying 2 years ago, I was given the impression that we do not need a license from the Ministry of communication.I looked up their site and only Fr 25, 26 and 2.4  and 5.8 Ghz are mentioned in the list of license free bands.Do we really need a license for other frequencies like 35, 72 and the use of synthesized receivers which are so popular these days?

You can't get a license as these freq are not allocated to aero modeling. If you want to abide by the law, stick to 2.4GHz.

There is another factor to be taken into consideration if you talk about licence .
Apart from frequencies the power of transmission is also to be considered .
Most RC transmitter operate below 5 watts , hence there is one interpretation that such transmissions are below the licencing requirement .
So as usual there  are two sides to it so do what you like best.

In fact I heard from a source close to discussion with the Mumbai episode that the TOI article as usual a misinterpretation of the Media  the authorities did mention that they were quoted out of context and that transmissions below 5 Watts were left to varied interpretation either way .

So  no real clarity on that .

Sai

Usually any RC tranmitter would consume not more than 200mA. So for a tranmitter consuming 200mA at 10V (Average), the output energy cannot be more than 2W (P=V*I). So as mentioned by Sai, the tranmissions would not be more than 5 Watts anyways...

Cheers !!!

Typical 2.4 systems transmit at upto 100mW.  But in some countries (especially in Europe), FHSS systems are allowed transmission at 100mW, while DSSS systems are only allowed 10mW.  People point this out as an advantage of Futaba FASST over Spektrum DSM.

In any case, these values are very low compared to the limits being discussed.

the 5watt ERP transmitter limit with an internal antenna only one cannot use an external antenna with the 5watt transmitter .

sahil

Hi, please paste the link here for everybody's reference

Pankaj

Could you point us to the source of this ? As far as I recall it was 5mW not 5W.

5W is good power... you can transmit over a long distance with that. I think our TX will be in range or couple of hundred milli Watts.

Here are few facts and well supported by evidences
1. The only band authorised for model use in India is 27 Mhz (AM Only) band. Ever since it has been deliceneced and made into a Citizens band you do not need licence as long as your equipmet is type approved by Wireless Planning and Coordination wing (WPC). But this also means that any one else can operate anything else on this frequency and possibly shoot you down.
2. Similalry 2.4 Ghz band is delicenced for any use (there are two seperate notifications for indoor and outdoor use) with limited Tx power as long as the equipment being used is type approved by WPC. All this is on basis of  ‘Non Protection and Non Interference’ only

So as long as you are operating on either of these bands you do not need a licence if (a) Your equipment is type approved (b) The tx transmission wattage is within the prescribed limit.

If any one requires will post the circulars here (all these are availble at WPC site)

While we are at it, it might be eductive to know the penalties prescribed by the law for contravention of the wireless act

6. Offence and penalty.—



(1) Whoever possesses any wireless telegraphy apparatus, other than a wireless transmitter, in contravention of the provisions of Section 3 shall be punished, in the case of the first offence, with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, and, in the case of a second or subsequent offence, with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.

(1A) Whoever possesses any wireless transmitter in contravention of the provisions of Section 3 shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or with both.



(2) For the purposes of this section a Court may presume that a person possesses wireless telegraphy apparatus if such apparatus is under his ostensible charge, or is located in any premises or place over which he has effective control.



(3) If in the trial of an offence under this section the accused is convicted the Court shall decide whether any apparatus in respect of which an offence has been committed should be confiscated, and, if it so decides, may order confiscation accordingly.

7. Power of search.—Any officer specially empowered by the Central Government in this behalf may search any building, vessel or place in which he has reason to believe that any wireless telegraphy apparatus, in respect of which an offence punishable under Section 6 has been committed, is kept or concealed, and take possession thereof.

8. Apparatus confiscated or having no owner to be property of Central Government.—All wireless telegraphy apparatus confiscated under the provisions of sub-section (3) of Section 6, and all wireless telegraphy apparatus having no ostensible owner shall be the property of the Central Government.

OK, bye bye 72...   2.4 sounds a lot better than 3 years of sarkari hospitality ! ;)

Now seriously, some should have exchanged the digits of the 27 a looooong time ago !

Going through the WPC site (http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/faq.asp#19). So, if 2.4Ghz is license free band, why do they mention "Remote Control of Models", No.5. Is it another case of legacy documents carried forward over the years...