Comments on: Get Ready for Terrestrial Eavesdropping: FM Transmitter Equals Free Satellite Radio http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455 Independent Tech News and Product Reviews from former VP and head of CNET.com and Longtime Computer Shopper Columnist, Alice Hill author of the popular "Hard Edge" column. Originally named AliceandBill.com. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:37:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: FM Transmitter http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-519647 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:51:46 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-519647 If the Satellite Radio user (Sirius or XM) is using a Whole House FM Transmitter to broadcast their show you could listen and be several cars away. This would be great for a group of people doing a "convoy" to some place. It would also work if you were at the beach, park, etc. and still wanted to listen since it transmits about 150 feet in all directions. As for the FM signal causing cancer, I've never heard of a cancer case connected to it. Don't forget you are bombarded by hundreds of signals 24/7 with all the commercial stations broadcasting at hundreds of times more powerful so if it was an issue I'm sure we would have figured it out by now. Besides the government wouldn't allow anything that could harm us right ... ;) A lot of ticked off Sirius and XM customers went to the Whole House FM Transmitter once the FCC made them “tune down” the built in FM Transmitter. For those who are interested the Whole House FM Transmitter website is http://www.wholehousefmtransmitter.com If the Satellite Radio user (Sirius or XM) is using a Whole House FM Transmitter to broadcast their show you could listen and be several cars away. This would be great for a group of people doing a “convoy” to some place. It would also work if you were at the beach, park, etc. and still wanted to listen since it transmits about 150 feet in all directions.

As for the FM signal causing cancer, I’ve never heard of a cancer case connected to it. Don’t forget you are bombarded by hundreds of signals 24/7 with all the commercial stations broadcasting at hundreds of times more powerful so if it was an issue I’m sure we would have figured it out by now. Besides the government wouldn’t allow anything that could harm us right … ;)

A lot of ticked off Sirius and XM customers went to the Whole House FM Transmitter once the FCC made them “tune down” the built in FM Transmitter.

For those who are interested the Whole House FM Transmitter website is http://www.wholehousefmtransmitter.com

]]> by: Neil Hever http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-16183 Fri, 10 Mar 2006 16:56:33 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-16183 Folks, Regarding the part 15 devices (not part 5), they also are capable of sending out interference in the opposite direction to terrestrial radio users. The devices are supposed to switch from encapsulated antennas for satellite reception then back to the anolog aerial for old fashioned FM. When improperly installed, the satellite signal may acually broadcast out of the vehicle up to a quarter mile! If you have an improperly installed device and your signal radiates outside the vehicle - you are breaking federal law. Neil Hever PD WDIY Allentown Folks, Regarding the part 15 devices (not part 5), they also are capable of sending out interference in the opposite direction to terrestrial radio users. The devices are supposed to switch from encapsulated antennas for satellite reception then back to the anolog aerial for old fashioned FM. When improperly installed, the satellite signal may acually broadcast out of the vehicle up to a quarter mile! If you have an improperly installed device and your signal radiates outside the vehicle - you are breaking federal law. Neil Hever PD WDIY Allentown

]]> by: Marcus http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-15876 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 14:37:35 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-15876 I've been doing this for about a week now. I named it "Sirius Squatting" and/or "Sirius Eavesdropping". I was following a red Dodge Durango for a good 30 minutes on the way to work this morning heard Stern the whole way - even got a classic Huey Lewis and the News thrown in while Stern was taking a break. The FCC approves all those FM transmitters, so how could it be illegal? I’ve been doing this for about a week now. I named it “Sirius Squatting” and/or “Sirius Eavesdropping”. I was following a red Dodge Durango for a good 30 minutes on the way to work this morning heard Stern the whole way - even got a classic Huey Lewis and the News thrown in while Stern was taking a break. The FCC approves all those FM transmitters, so how could it be illegal?

]]> by: Chris Mac http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9295 Tue, 10 Jan 2006 12:55:18 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9295 The power of those little FM transmitters is around 0.4 milliwatts, about the same power as a Bluetooth device - tiny power. Cell phones run at about 300 milliwatts and are held against your head. So I think you are safe from cancer from these FM devices. The devices are allowed under a US FCC rules Part 5 rules on low per devices, which do not require licences, but they are not protected from inteference either from terrestrial broadcasts or from other low pwer users. (I'm British, how the hell do I know about such things anyway) There is no issue of "sipping" being illegal if provided in the unit as integral. It is extremely unlike that in encouraging such devices that XM or Sirius would penalise the main user or neighbour of a a similar add-on device. In most of Europe these devices are actually illegal as they transmit on a broadcast band which is allocated only to broadcasters. In the United Kingdom (pro-American regime off the coast of Europe) a case against a gentleman who "Stole" wifi bandwidth by parking outside someone's home ruled against him. ENDS The power of those little FM transmitters is around 0.4 milliwatts, about the same power as a Bluetooth device - tiny power. Cell phones run at about 300 milliwatts and are held against your head. So I think you are safe from cancer from these FM devices. The devices are allowed under a US FCC rules Part 5 rules on low per devices, which do not require licences, but they are not protected from inteference either from terrestrial broadcasts or from other low pwer users. (I’m British, how the hell do I know about such things anyway) There is no issue of “sipping” being illegal if provided in the unit as integral. It is extremely unlike that in encouraging such devices that XM or Sirius would penalise the main user or neighbour of a a similar add-on device. In most of Europe these devices are actually illegal as they transmit on a broadcast band which is allocated only to broadcasters.

In the United Kingdom (pro-American regime off the coast of Europe) a case against a gentleman who “Stole” wifi bandwidth by parking outside someone’s home ruled against him.

ENDS

]]> by: Alice http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9257 Mon, 09 Jan 2006 20:22:13 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9257 That's a good analogy. Jumping on an opne WiFi connection is pretty much a freebie andnot stealing. That’s a good analogy. Jumping on an opne WiFi connection is pretty much a freebie andnot stealing.

]]> by: DJ Moves http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9255 Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:33:02 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9255 I don't think it's officially stealing if you're just dipping your toe in for a few minutes. Especially if you are paying for the same service you are picking up from the other car. It reminds me more of a wi-fi hotspot, although that would be more accurate if the car in front of you KNEW you were listening! I don’t think it’s officially stealing if you’re just dipping your toe in for a few minutes. Especially if you are paying for the same service you are picking up from the other car.

It reminds me more of a wi-fi hotspot, although that would be more accurate if the car in front of you KNEW you were listening!

]]> by: MissingFrame http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9253 Mon, 09 Jan 2006 18:15:05 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2455#comment-9253 "It’s stealing" I doubt it, more likely they are broadcasting illegally (without rights). "wonder if all those FM transmitters are going to give us all cancer." In almost all cases, the power is less than what's already in the air. "And does this mean my neighbors can sip on my home signal too?" They can also see your baby monitor, your cordless telephone, even see what you display on your regular computer monitor, it only requires the right equipment and the curiosity. http://www.google.com/search?q=spy+equipment “It’s stealing” I doubt it, more likely they are broadcasting illegally (without rights).

“wonder if all those FM transmitters are going to give us all cancer.” In almost all cases, the power is less than what’s already in the air.

“And does this mean my neighbors can sip on my home signal too?” They can also see your baby monitor, your cordless telephone, even see what you display on your regular computer monitor, it only requires the right equipment and the curiosity.
http://www.google.com/search?q=spy+equipment

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