Re: Will there be Intel Wireless 3945ABG support?

["H. Peter Anvin" <hpa@zytor.com>]

Thomas Tuttle wrote:
> 
> Frankly, I think Intel is misinterpreting how strict the FCC is being
> (or maybe the FCC is being too strict).  I would interpret their
> mandates as meaning that, as purchased, equipment can't transmit on
> unauthorized frequencies, and that it's not "user-modifiable".  User
> modification doesn't include things like opening the case of a toy
> walkie-talkie up and swapping out a crystal, nor does it include things
> like opening up the firmware or driver for something and messing with
> it.
> 

Unfortunately you're wrong.  Some manufacturers have gotten rapped for 
marketing equipment that can be modded by stuff like desoldering diodes.

The FCC has some incredibly heavy-weight regulations, like:

- Problem: unlicensed high-power CB operation
- Solution: ban amplifiers that work anywhere near the CB band, 
including several amateur radio bands (even for sale to users with valid 
amateur licenses)

- Problem: unencrypted cell phones
- Solutions: ban scanners that work on the cell phone bands

... etc ...

	-hpa