Joel Kolstad wrote:

"Joerg" wrote in message
...

Hmm, when I bought a PC-controlled receiver for EMI debug purposes lately
they told me I can only have a version where the cell bands have been
disabled.


That's because what you're buying is being sold as a "radio." When you buy
"test and measurement" equipment, no such silliness applies.


Tried that one. Didn't work. Once it's categorized as a radio it remains
a radio, no matter how you turn it. They were very friendly and took
time to explain. Basically it's because of the capability to listen in
and to dump data into a computer. I wouldn't have needed the latter but
I do need the ability to listen to RF sources in client's systems which
is why a regular spectrum analyzer doesn't cut it for this kind of job
(they don't have single sideband demodulators).


Only gov folks can buy the full range version.


Yeah, but with many receivers it's just a matter of cutting a jumper or
removing a diode to enable it -- the hardware is often 100% the same.


Not on this one. It's mask programmed in the CPU and that is probably
some huge BGA you couldn't possibly get off.


It's a stupid law anyway.


Yes. Because all it takes to skirt it is buy it elsewhere and
hand-carry. Or build an up-converter. But, it ain't legal so I won't do
any of that. Should I ever have to listen to internal noises in that
area I could still connect it to an IF out of a regular analyser.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com