Re: RFID Tags

[Richard Rager <kb8rln () penguinmaster com>]

On Fri, 21 May 2004, lsi wrote:

> > The 3D map of all tags in range is fascinating, but I suspect there
> > may be some issues with building usable hardware into a concealable
> > form.  We're assuming "Badguy gets onto a train to scan" situation. 
> > If I can place my equipment ON the train beforehand, my life (as the
> > scanner) gets dramatically easier. 
>
> A lone wolf might have a hard time managing the complexity.  A team 
> of people might be more effective - a widely deployed, State-operated 
> system would have no trouble, however.
>
> > At least until someone brings his Pocket Pal RFID Jam-O-Matic 2000 to work.
>
> This will be classified as a crime (and may be already).

  All of the RFID systems I have seen are under part 15 of the FCC rules.  
  If you are looking at 15.5(d) (see below) this rule then your are right,
almost.  The bigest problem is enforcement.  Any thing with RF is federal
not state.  If you want to have some fun and do not mind messing with law
enforcement and paying an attorney.

First show court where the state does not have jurisdiction in the case.

Let the prosecutor refile in federal court. 

Now is federal court bring Title 47 with you. show the court the first 
page that said (paraphasing) The FCC has all jurisdiction of RF 
stuff, except CB.

The people who write these bills need to learn to write in plain language 
you need to read about 600 words to learn what I said in 10.  Think of the 
trees we would save.


Maybe you could get the RFID to use 28 Mhz.  <<-- Good Luck CB is there :-)

After all this put out a amateur radio license with said your have primary 
privileges on this band.  By definition RFID tags part 15 are not primary 
users of the band.  Under part 15 you can not cause harmful interferences 
and must accept all interference.


Most likely you a letter saying you should not do and can you use 
another frequency.  Just a note I can transmit on 440Mhz up to 1500 watts 
and with a beam antenna the RFID chip will not have a chance.  35 watts 
would do it also.  There are some other rules that could apply before 
using 1500 watts.  Hams use that high power for moon bouncing RF.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, this is not legal advice.

Enjoy,

Richard Rager


[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2001]
> From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR15.5]

[Page 671]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
              CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
 
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 15.5  General conditions of operation.

    (a) Persons operating intentional or unintentional radiators shall 
not be deemed to have any vested or recognizable right to continued use 
of any given frequency by virtue of prior registration or certification 
of equipment, or, for power line carrier systems, on the basis of prior 
notification of use pursuant to Sec. 90.63(g) of this chapter.
    (b) Operation of an intentional, unintentional, or incidental 
radiator is subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is 
caused and that interference must be accepted that may be caused by the 
operation of an authorized radio station, by another intentional or 
unintentional radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) 
equipment, or by an incidental radiator.
    (c) The operator of a radio frequency device shall be required to 
cease operating the device upon notification by a Commission 
representative that the device is causing harmful interference. 
Operation shall not resume until the condition causing the harmful 
interference has been corrected.
    (d) Intentional radiators that produce Class B emissions (damped 
wave) are prohibited.








[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2001]
> From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR15.105]

[Page 688]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
              CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
 
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart B--Unintentional Radiators
 
Sec. 15.105  Information to the user.

    (a) For a Class A digital device or peripheral, the instructions 
furnished the user shall include the following or similar statement, 
placed in a prominent location in the text of the manual:

    Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the 
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection 
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a 
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate 
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with 
the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio 
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is 
likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be 
required to correct the interference at his own expense.

    (b) For a Class B digital device or peripheral, the instructions 
furnished the user shall include the following or similar statement, 
placed in a prominent location in the text of the manual:

    Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the 
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection 
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This 
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if 
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause 
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no 
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. 
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television 
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, 
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more 
of the following measures:
--Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
--Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
--Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that 
to which the receiver is connected.
--Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

    (c) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section do not 
apply to digital devices exempted from the technical standards under the 
provisions of Sec. 15.103.
    (d) For systems incorporating several digital devices, the statement 
shown in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section needs to be contained only 
in the instruction manual for the main control unit.