Don't Blame the Truckers,

[Kb2RVL]

Blame Fisher-Price..

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26081076/

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia mother is seeking a recall of a popular walkie-talkie after her 3-year-old’s toy apparently intercepted a profanity-laced conversation between truckers about drugs and strip clubs.

Deborah Pancaro, 34, said she contacted Fisher-Price after she heard a conversation in which a man said “10-4” and other things that led her to believe the device was relaying a CB radio conversation.

“They said we should go smoke some weed, and were talking about being in a strip bar, some really explicit things,” Pancaro said Thursday.

The walkie-talkie is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and allows children to role-play animal rescues like the Diego character does on the cartoon series “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, Go!”

The walkie-talkie is supposed to have a range of about 20 feet, but Pancaro said she heard one of the voices say he was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, about 275 miles north of Huntington.

Pancaro, who bought the toy on Aug. 2, said she sent a letter to Fisher-Price, urging it to either fix the toy so it wouldn’t pick up CB chatter or pull the product from the shelves.

Fisher-Price apologized for Pancaro’s “disappointing experience” and has made two unsuccessful attempts to contact her since Wednesday, spokeswoman Juliette Reashor said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

With a limited number of operating frequencies available for radio-type walkie-talkies, she said they occasionally will pick up transmissions from other products.

Though the product has not been recalled, Wal-Mart says on its Web site that it is being discontinued. A spokeswoman for the company based in Bentonville, Ark., said Thursday she would look into the matter.

Pancaro said she planned to return Fisher-Price’s call later Thursday.

“It’s not about the money. I’d just hate for little kids to be hearing things like that, and I thought maybe they didn’t know.”

[N6KIA]

It's such a joke.

[ky5u]

“They said we should go smoke some weed, and were talking about being in a strip bar, some really explicit things,” Pancaro said Thursday.
Hell of a way for a kid to learn his mother works at a strip bar. I inderstand why she was upset. Hope she didn't fall off the pole and bump her head.

[N0WVA]

I hope the television is never on in that house.

[n8yx]

I hope the television is never on in that house.

It's only 'on' "Dora the Explorer" ...

[n3mqm]

Hell of a way for a kid to learn his mother works at a strip bar. I inderstand why she was upset. Hope she didn't fall off the pole and bump her head.
That's not what I got from the story

[n8yx]

That's not what I got from the story

Charlie's being "cheeky" again...

[w6em]

Well, the news article, as usual, doesn't suggest where to go to fix the problem: Not the FCC, but Congress. To fund an eradication program.

Freeway call boxes every once in a while could be fitted with receiver/field strength sensors and if the 27MHz field strength is sufficient, trigger a video camera and an alarm so the offenders will be ID'd and caught at the next inspection/weigh station stop.

Double the fine if they're using 10 meters as well.

[N7RJD]

Well, the news article, as usual, doesn't suggest where to go to fix the problem: Not the FCC, but Congress. To fund an eradication program.

Freeway call boxes every once in a while could be fitted with receiver/field strength sensors and if the 27MHz field strength is sufficient, trigger a video camera and an alarm so the offenders will be ID'd and caught at the next inspection/weigh station stop.

Double the fine if they're using 10 meters as well.

You're talking about using state and local law enforcement to enforce FCC rules. Not knocking the idea but we both know that will never happen.

[k2nrc]

has anybody looked at what freq that model walkie talkie uses? isn't it in the 49 mhz range???? the chance that this incident actually happened has about as much probability as the fcc 'fixing' cb. sounds more like an attempt at 'early retirement' due to 'mental anguish'. nothing a small monetary settlement couldn't resolve. when my 3 year old son had his 'power ranger' walkie talkies, i think his cousins' said some bad words on them. is there a staute of limitations for that sort of thing? :cool:

[ai4ep]

The fcc is going to FIX cb ?

Yeah, sure. FCC aint gonna do nuthin. :(

And aboout 90 % of what hear is local truckers...log trucks, chip trucks, lumber deliveries, coal trucks, and a few gravel delivery trucks mixed in ....most all COULD be referred to as " natural resource delivery drivers " . They dont go in a rant / rave of obscentities, they just throw out a occassional vulgar word or two ....they are simple folks, who dont really mean to insult any one....they do not mean no harm, just trying to get through a rough day at work .

Your mileage may vary, but here in Alabama it aint THAT bad .

It does more good to whine about the weather than fuss about the truckers .

[AC0FP]

has anybody looked at what freq that model walkie talkie uses? isn't it in the 49 mhz range???? the chance that this incident actually happened has about as much probability as the fcc 'fixing' cb. sounds more like an attempt at 'early retirement' due to 'mental anguish'. nothing a small monetary settlement couldn't resolve. when my 3 year old son had his 'power ranger' walkie talkies, i think his cousins' said some bad words on them. is there a staute of limitations for that sort of thing? :cool:

I'm afraid nrc has a point which, sad but true, is probably the case! :(

Frank

[w6em]

You're talking about using state and local law enforcement to enforce FCC rules. Not knocking the idea but we both know that will never happen.

The fcc once delegated cb enforcement to local government. Many years back. May still be so, but it happened once.

[ky5u]

....they are simple folks, who dont really mean to insult any one....they do not mean no harm, just trying to get through a rough day at work .

Salt of the earth in a low sodium world.

[wb4old]

They will fix CB and free banding in the next lowering of standards. They will be amateur radio licensees, it will be legal. So no problem

[KF4FMT]

Gotta watch out for those "Lot Lizards (http://www.nycop.com/Gina_Gallo/Gallo_-_The_Lot_Lizard/body_gallo_-_the_lot_lizard.html)"! Heard it all the time on the CB when I drove a semi last year.

[KD8BVS]

has anybody looked at what freq that model walkie talkie uses? isn't it in the 49 mhz range???? the chance that this incident actually happened has about as much probability as the fcc 'fixing' cb. sounds more like an attempt at 'early retirement' due to 'mental anguish'. nothing a small monetary settlement couldn't resolve. when my 3 year old son had his 'power ranger' walkie talkies, i think his cousins' said some bad words on them. is there a staute of limitations for that sort of thing? :cool:

Yes, the most common frequency is 49.860 MHz. I have never heard of a toy walkie talkie using 27MHz either :D

[N8CPA]

When I first heard this, I thought they were Channel 14 units. But everything I've read indicates they are 49MHz--at least, they're supposed to be.

I think consumers need to be aware that the quoted range is only for the transmitter. Receivers pick up whatever signals are in their passband and dynamic range--not that they'll ever read or understand such notices...

[WA9SVD]

The fcc once delegated cb enforcement to local government. Many years back. May still be so, but it happened once.

That's only partly true. The FCC (with the permission of Congress) allows local governments to enact laws that address interference caused by ILLEGAL operation on CB frequencies. That is usually limited to illegal operators using higher than legal power on CB. Local authorities do NOT have any authority to act against persons using legal CB radios, nor was it intended that local authotities act solely against other violations of FCC rules (such as indecent language, etc.)

[w6em]

That's only partly true. The FCC (with the permission of Congress) allows local governments to enact laws that address interference caused by ILLEGAL operation on CB frequencies. That is usually limited to illegal operators using higher than legal power on CB. Local authorities do NOT have any authority to act against persons using legal CB radios, nor was it intended that local authotities act solely against other violations of FCC rules (such as indecent language, etc.)

Funny, but one of the most obnoxious problems has been, for many years, the indecent language used by CBers. Seems that your recollection and mine differ. Illegal is a sick bird, no matter how you slice it.

If Congress intended to allow municipalities the privilege of stopping illegal actions by CBers, I doubt that it would have been so specific as to limit it to only equipment violations.

Here. I had the energy to look it up for you:

PART 95_PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents

Subpart D_Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service

Sec. 95.413 (CB Rule 13) What communications are prohibited?

(a) You must not use a CB station--
(1) In connection with any activity which is against federal, state
or local law;
(2) To transmit obscence, indecent or profane words, language or
meaning;

Perhaps you would care to find the piece passed by Congress that just limits local delegation to interference issues.



73.

[KD6NIG]

Can the Fischer Price radios be "whackpacked" or "tweaked and peaked"?

Maybe they just want to start them young. You know, like cigarettes and beer :p

[K1CJS]

Most all of the childrens walkie talkies have been moved up to around 49 mhz, but there are still units available that use the CB frequencies--and it sounds like the Fischer Price units are some that do. It is a shame, but the way things are going today I'm not surprised--not at all.

I drove a tractor trailer once, and I would ignore the more blatant remarks on the CB. It should NOT be used for trash talk. But you've got to remember the CBs are used by some truckers to pass the time, and not go stir crazy while on long hauls. Unfortunately that includes the bucket mouths as well as the other users.

The other thing is the range of the units--if the signal is strong enough the 27 mhz units will pick it up--and with the linear amplifiers some of the drivers use the signal IS strong enough. The real use of the range figures is the distance the units will transmit--not receive.

[ai4ep]

..."stock up on cigarettes and beer "......in case of an impeding ice / snow storm, forget about milk and bread and bologna...stock up instead on cigarettes and beer.

what ever it takes to survive.

I see s lot of new motorcycles on the roads in the past couple of months...it just makes me wonder HOW these same folks are going to get around when the rainy days come, the icy roads, the C C C C C O L D ness of the north wind.

Should be interesting.... 50+ mpg and freezing their fingers off :(

[KA4DPO]

Most all of the childrens walkie talkies have been moved up to around 49 mhz, but there are still units available that use the CB frequencies--and it sounds like the Fischer Price units are some that do. It is a shame, but the way things are going today I'm not surprised--not at all.

I drove a tractor trailer once, and I would ignore the more blatant remarks on the CB. It should NOT be used for trash talk. But you've got to remember the CBs are used by some truckers to pass the time, and not go stir crazy while on long hauls. Unfortunately that includes the bucket mouths as well as the other users.

The other thing is the range of the units--if the signal is strong enough the 27 mhz units will pick it up--and with the linear amplifiers some of the drivers use the signal IS strong enough. The real use of the range figures is the distance the units will transmit--not receive.

Maybe the truckers where using whacked baby monitors in their trucks..:D

[K4KWH]

Funny, but one of the most obnoxious problems has been, for many years, the indecent language used by CBers. Seems that your recollection and mine differ. Illegal is a sick bird, no matter how you slice it.

If Congress intended to allow municipalities the privilege of stopping illegal actions by CBers, I doubt that it would have been so specific as to limit it to only equipment violations.

Here. I had the energy to look it up for you:

PART 95_PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents

Subpart D_Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service

Sec. 95.413 (CB Rule 13) What communications are prohibited?

(a) You must not use a CB station--
(1) In connection with any activity which is against federal, state
or local law;
(2) To transmit obscence, indecent or profane words, language or
meaning;

Perhaps you would care to find the piece passed by Congress that just limits local delegation to interference issues.



73.

I believe this is what you are referring to. I don't think it restricts issues to "interference" ONLY. It also applies to "equipment" and (I'm not a lawyer so this is just comment) behavior (cussing, etc), and messing up people's TV's. It is 106-521 passed in 2000.

************************************************** ********[DOCID: f 106-521]


[[Page 114 STAT. 2438]]

Public Law 106-521
106th Congress

An Act



To authorize the enforcement by State and local governments of certain
Federal Communications Commission regulations regarding use of citizens
band radio equipment. <<NOTE: Nov. 22, 2000 - [H.R. 2346]>>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STATE AND LOCAL ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION REGULATIONS ON USE OF CITIZENS BAND RADIO
EQUIPMENT.

Section 302 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 302a) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f )(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a State or local
government may enact a statute or ordinance that prohibits a violation
of the following regulations of the Commission under this section:
``(A) A regulation that prohibits a use of citizens band
radio equipment not authorized by the Commission.
``(B) A regulation that prohibits the unauthorized operation
of citizens band radio equipment on a frequency between 24 MHz
and 35 MHz.

``(2) A station that is licensed by the Commission pursuant to
section 301 in any radio service for the operation at issue shall not be
subject to action by a State or local government under this subsection.
A State or local government statute or ordinance enacted for purposes of
this subsection shall identify the exemption available under this
paragraph.
``(3) The Commission shall, to the extent practicable, provide
technical guidance to State and local governments regarding the
detection and determination of violations of the regulations specified
in paragraph (1).
``(4)(A) In addition to any other remedy authorized by law, a person
affected by the decision of a State or local government agency enforcing
a statute or ordinance under paragraph (1) may submit to the Commission
an appeal of the decision on the grounds that the State or local
government, as the case may be, enacted a statute or ordinance outside
the authority provided in this subsection.
``(B) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> A person shall submit an appeal on a
decision of a State or local government agency to the Commission under
this paragraph, if at all, not later than 30 days after the date on
which the decision by the State or local government agency becomes
final, but prior to seeking judicial review of such decision.

[[Page 114 STAT. 2439]]

``(C) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> The Commission shall make a determination
on an appeal submitted under subparagraph (B) not later than 180 days
after its submittal.

``(D) If the Commission determines under subparagraph (C) that a
State or local government agency has acted outside its authority in
enforcing a statute or ordinance, the Commission shall preempt the
decision enforcing the statute or ordinance.
``(5) The enforcement of statute or ordinance that prohibits a
violation of a regulation by a State or local government under paragraph
(1) in a particular case shall not preclude the Commission from
enforcing the regulation in that case concurrently.
``(6) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to diminish or
otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Commission under this section
over devices capable of interfering with radio communications.
``(7) The enforcement of a statute or ordinance by a State or local
government under paragraph (1) with regard to citizens band radio
equipment on board a `commercial motor vehicle', as defined in section
31101 of title 49, United States Code, shall require probable cause to
find that the commercial motor vehicle or the individual operating the
vehicle is in violation of the regulations described in paragraph
(1).''.

Approved November 22, 2000.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2346:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-883 (Comm. on Commerce).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000):
Sept. 27, considered and passed House.
Oct. 31, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Nov. 13, House concurred in Senate amendment.

<all>


73

J

[w8gtf]

Yes, the most common frequency is 49.860 MHz. I have never heard of a toy walkie talkie using 27MHz either :D

As a kid, I had a set of 27 Mhz walkie talkie's. Come to think of it, they were Fisher Price too.

[kg4kww]

I like ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, those guys know how to use a radio. :D

[k4raf]

Maybe the truckers where using whacked baby monitors in their trucks..:D

Even when devices are performing & designed as intended, common integrated IC's make 27, 49, 150, 460, 900MHz & 2.4GHz very common to this.

There are an amazing amount of mice, keyboards & other cordless crap on 27.045MHz... A favorite of LogiTech...

Also an FYI about weaknesses of hybrid RF ICs:

900MHz cordless devices -=> Look around 460MHz for IF leakage
2.4GHz cordless devices -=> Look around 900MHz for IF leakage

;)

Raf

[k2nrc]

fisher price hasn't made 27 mhz w/t's in 20 years, they've been on 49 mhz since the late 80's. just like baby monitors & cordless phones of the same era. i had f/p baby monitors along with my scanner to monitor the babies, and other then hearing the neighbors 'modern' cordless phone search out unused freqs & end up on my baby monitor's freq, i never heard any cb skip on it!
i googled, but can't find, where i am pretty sure 'they' are not allowed to use 27 mhz on those types of w/t's anymore....either that or it was a 'gentleman's agreement' that 'they' would only use 49 mhz. even the crappy 'flea market/dollar store'-type imported toy w/t's are on 49 mhz.

[VE1IDX]

It's only 'on' "Dora the Explorer" ...

Yeah but what is Dora exploring? :D

[ke7tfn]

Personally I think this woman should be fined and banned from using any electronic devices! I could not find any mention of her notifing one person about possible openings in 10 Meter :eek:. Her little son's Fisher and Price HT is (by the way, I could find nothing on E-Ham review?) is DXing, and this lady is not letting anybody else know? That is just RUDE.

Now letting her little Johnny listen to Citizen Band is almost forgivable. However not mentioning type of antenna used, height of antenna, ground plane, modification to radio, and Wattage output; Sheesh how can this woman even begin to complain? I just hope her little Johnny finds a suitable Elmer to help him learn how to really squeeze the good out of his first RADIO.

[WY0COP]

Well, the news article, as usual, doesn't suggest where to go to fix the problem: Not the FCC, but Congress. To fund an eradication program.

Freeway call boxes every once in a while could be fitted with receiver/field strength sensors and if the 27MHz field strength is sufficient, trigger a video camera and an alarm so the offenders will be ID'd and caught at the next inspection/weigh station stop.

Double the fine if they're using 10 meters as well.



You are not serious, I hope,,,,,,

[ky5u]

Don't blame the truckers? They could always decide to follow the rules and this would not be an issue. It's hard to deny the blood, when stupid is in the blood.

[kc9jwa]

Poor kids, i use to have those to when i was younger and those little walkie talkies would have the average on it, you hear someone wnating to strart a fight and next thing you know its a kid, i was a teen and so were my buddys, it was just annoiyng and time wasted.:eek:

[KC9NRN]

I like ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, those guys know how to use a radio. :D

When I saw the first TV Ad I was thinking who thought this crap up, who is going to watch it, they drive on ice, big deal!

Haven't missed an episode... go figure I love the show. :eek: