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[Shadow Panther]

What is the policy on using two-way radios (LPD frequency range) at EF and in Germany in general?
Reserved/free channels? Transmitter power limit?

[Nightfox]

The Con Staff uses PMR not LPD.

[Shadow Panther]

The Con Staff uses RMR not LPD.

You mean, PMR446? Then we won't interfere with staff, but what about general regulations?

[Gyroplast]

Germany's regulations for short range devices (SRD), which include LPD, allow a maximum transmission power of 10mW over frequencies ranging from 433,050 to 434,790 MHz. Usage of such devices is "not recommended" anymore, but certainly still allowed without registration. (source: Bundesnetzagentur)

I'm not sure if you're going to be happy with their range, though. Beyond the open lobby, we occassionally had trouble contacting people wandering the floors even with high-end PMR devices. We don't mind our guests using their own PMR or LPD devices, as long as they stay off of our staff channels. Free PMR channels for public usage are always given in the conbook, while LPD did not need con-wide regulation yet due to a lack of demand.

Please note that increasing the maximum transmission power beyond the allowed 10mW is a serious offence in Germany.

Hope to help,
  Gyro

[Shadow Panther]

Oookay, got it.
Then I guess that using my 1W/5W radio would be illegal.
On the other hand, if 10mW has such short range, such radios would be useless too.

Another question then - would be using 1W radio (low-power setting on my unit) on PMR still count as illegal?

[Cheetah]

Yes, PMR allows for up to 500mW only in germany.

[Shadow Panther]

Yes, PMR allows for up to 500mW only in germany.

Could I get in trouble for using 1W instead of 500mW or nobody would notice? Actually, I think that my transmitter gives less than 1W on low-power, but still more than 500mW. No way to measure that myself, sadly.

[Cheetah]

Quite obviously, as the guy who is legally responsible for this convention, all I can say is that we officially can not condone illegal activities.