New FCC ID format could make searching IDs difficult

Starting tomorrow, May 1^st, 2013, the FCC will begin issuing new grantee codes as five character codes. Existing 3 character codes will still be valid, but new codes as of tomorrow will be in the 5 character format.  An earlier post describes why the change to the 5 character system. See FCC running out of Grantee codes.

Now that grantee codes could be both 3 character and 5 character, for those who use the Equipment Authorization Database search to lookup FCC IDs, it could be difficult at first getting use to the new system. How do you know if it’s a 3 character code or a 5 character code just by looking at the ID?

Example;

FCC ID: 2AA567SAMPL

FCC ID: G777SAMPLE500

Here’s a tip.

3 or 5 character grantee code? To tell;

1. if it starts with a number, it’s a 5 character code

2. if it starts with a letter, it’s a 3 character code.

The use of 1 and 0 is excluded, to avoid confusion with the letters i and o.

I don’t know if this visual would work the same for you, but what I do is picture a telephone keypad, it kind of looks like a # symbol with the number 5 in the middle;

 

 

# = Number so 5 starts with number. Silly, but it works for me.

So for the example above; 2AA56 is the 5 character code (starts with a #) and G77 is the 3 character code (starts with a letter).

REF:

Released: 04/09/2013. OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY TO BEGIN ISSUING FIVE-CHARACTER GRANTEE CODES FOR CERTIFIED RADIOFREQUENCY EQUIPMENT. (DA No. 13-669)

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-669A1.pdf

Many new FCC draft publications released this week

Preceding the spring TCB training session this week, the FCC released a number of draft publications that will have an impact on a wide range of product. Links to the drafts can be found at https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/PublishedDocumentList.cfm

941225 D07 UMPC Mini Tablet Devices v01r01 DR09-41372
941225 D06 Hot Spot SAR v01r01 DR08-41372
941225 D05 SAR for LTE Devices v02r02 DR07-41372
941225 D02 Guidance for 3GPP R6 and R7 HSPA v02r02 DR06-41372
935210 D02 Signal Boosters Certification v01 DR02-41372
935210 D01 Signal Booster Definitions v01 DR01-41372
971168 D01 Power Meas License Digital Systems v02 DR02-41372
680106 D01 RF Exposure Wireless Charging Apps v02 DR02-41372
865664 D02 SAR Reporting v01r01 DR05-41372
865664 D01 SAR measurement 3 to 6 GHz v01r01 DR04-41372
662911 D01 Appendix I of D01 Multiple Transmitter Output v01 DR03-41372
662911 D01 Multiple Transmitter Output v02 DR02-41372
648474 D03 Handset Wireless Battery Chargers v01r02 DR03-41372
648474 D04 SAR Handsets Multi Xmiter and Ant v01r01 DR04-41372
616217 SAR for laptop and tablets DR03-41368
447498 D01 General RF Exposure Guidance DR03-41369
200443 D02 Millimeter Wave Testing DR01-41369

Jamming employee cell phones can cost

The FCC issued several notices of apparent liability, in amounts exceeding $120,000 for illegal cell jammer use.

In the referenced Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL), anonymous complaints resulted in immediate investigation of companies employing cell jammers to block cellular communications. Upon investigation by FCC field agents, the companies were found to be using broadband cell signal jammers, illegally shipped from overseas. In one case it was noted the jammers had been installed following a "near miss" potential for an industrial accident, attributed to employee phone use on the job. The managers at the work sites confirmed that the jammers were installed to prevent employees from using cell phones while working.

The problem is noted that these jammers don't discriminate, blocking all cell traffic in and around the area including necessary emergency communications such as 9-1-1 calls.

In each of the cases, the jammers were surrendered to the FCC agents, along with any spare backup jammers. The FCC agents confirmed that the cell band interference had ceased after the jammers were removed.

In each case, the maximum forfeiture amount allowable by statute was proposed, however, the total amount was revised downward by 25%, due to the immediate voluntary surrender of the illegal jammers. It was acknowledged that the Commission has authority to confiscate illegal devices, however, the Commission recognizes the benefits of the voluntary cooperation, and would like to encourage similar conduct in the future.

Ref
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db0409/FCC-13-47A1.pdf
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db0409/FCC-13-46A1.pdf