Take a look around http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/ ,
http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/scstore/sitepages/hobby/fedpage2.htm
and 
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/2512.html
Feel free to not change your mind. *Shrug*.
...I invite you to factor out the 2600 Magazine phreak/cracker component
from the link I first gave. I managed to, somehow. 
Now, Supercircuits might have been promoting unlicensed use of 452 MHz.
Possibly Ramsey did too. As a right-thinking radio amateur myself, I
deplore this. Mostly because getting a ham license just isn't that hard
any more.
I have my doubts that Ramsey deserved to get busted by people with guns
(*if* they did) any more than Steve Jackson Games. And it pisses me off.
Zetetically yours,
MMB
PS: Ob relevance to Extropians, in case you were wondering: One might
infer that this is the worm turning (writhing?) as an overture of the
choice Brin says we will face in _Transparent Society_. One might, if
one were capable of focusing past one's nose.
Interesting times.
Harvey Newstrom wrote:
> 
> > > > > http://www.2600.com/news/1999/1218.html
> > > And on the gripping hand, these are probably the same twits that send me
> > > spam like:
> > >
> > > THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR LEGAL TV
> > > DE-SCRAMBLER. IF YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN THIS INFORMATION
> > > PLEASE CLICK DELETE NOW.  THANK YOU
> > >
> > > I think they just got clicked.
> 
> That was my thought as well, although the web page does not give enough
> details.  It wasn't clear what crime was charged or why the web page felt
> the raid was unnecessary.  It just described the raid in emotional terms
> that makes the reader side with the victim.
> 
> Editing out just the negative facts, probably out of context:
> These companies operated for years selling educational electronic kits (like
> wireless microphones) to various groups including hackers.  Now their owners
> are facing bankruptcy and prison time.  Violations include wiretapping and
> smuggling.  They seem to claim that small "Mr. Microphone" type toys should
> not be restricted by wiretapping and smuggling laws.  Bill Cheek was
> indicted for selling data-slicer circuits that could intercept data
> transmissions.  BernieS was locked up for possessing equipment built from
> parts available at Radio Shack.  He was distributing parts, software, books,
> and pamphlets about cellular and coin telephones.
> 
> It sounds like hackers who got caught to me.
> --
> Harvey Newstrom <http://harveynewstrom.com>
> Certified Consultant,  Legal Hacker, Engineer, Research Scientist, Author.
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