Vintronics are no more

[DJMellow]

Vintronics, a small company building mainly AM rigs, but a couple of FM rigs is no longer operating. So worth while keeping hold of those rigs if you have them.

From what I understand OFCOM are threatening prosecution now to companies within the UK who build rigs simply because they have not got the resources to go after the pirates.

OFCOM are trying their utmost to ensure transmitters are made out to be prohibited items to Ebay and so on.

Rigs are not prohibited items. This is OFCOMs propaganda machine working overtime

[oazz]

https://www.vintronics.co.uk/

[DJMellow]

Oazz. He isn't selling them anymore at all. Hes personally informed me of that. Too stressful, after OFCOM threats.

[Albert H]

It's ridiculous. Lots of people have sold transmitting gear, usually marked "export only"

[FMEnjoyer]

I thought the FM gear was Chinese Ali express sprog junk boards inside. Same stuff Albert always says never turn on.
Seems like cognitive dissonance.

It's surely one way or the other with the junky stuff.

[jvok]

I wonder if the issue is with selling non CE-marked gear rather than it being a transmitter specifically. Every so often you get a scare story in the press about dodgy chinese stuff on amazon/ali/ebay with no/fake CE certs, then trading standards have to be seen doing something about it

[Krakatoa]

There was a workaround this, like selling it in kit form, where the final user takes responsibility for the performance of the unit and its final use.
Selling finished electronic equipment legally, means obligation to adhere to many technical industry standards (safety, EMC, Rohs...), that cost money, of course.

[stretchyman]

Yes, same old...

It's the non CE certification that they will use to prohibit manufacturing.

I should know!

So Yes, sold as a kit then there is nothing thay can do.

Nothing has changed.

Str

[reverend]

How much of a 'kit' does it need to be? For example, if it only requires the user to solder the input/output connectors, does that count as a kit?

[jvok]

The thing with CE is that its self certified anyway, so theres nothing really stopping you from writing up a declaration of conformity and slapping a CE logo on the box. Of course you *should* do the full suite of tests to make sure it meets the standards you claim, but its not like anyone actually checks, just ask amazon

[radium98]

smart kit vfo wich sprog , is made in the EEC how is that , and was a UK seller who sells them also ( quasar ).

[stretchyman]

Re What defines a kit?

Ive no idea but always sell as such.

All my newer designs essentially plug together with no soldering.

The questions that were asked included, 'Does the kit contain all the parts to build a transmitter'?

Answer, No.

Btw they can historically DF any signal.

Str.

[Albert H]

Stretchy - "they" can track pretty much anything, but seldom bother if you're not causing interference, and if you're not affecting the advertising "take" of your local station. There haven't been any "unfriendly visits" to AM stations for a long time!

The only real downside of MW AM is the size (and expense) of an effective aerial.