Jim Williams pulse generator is still strategic military or dual-use technology - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 02:19:09 pm
content: I have decided to check (on unrelated subject) and this is what I have found...Executive summary:Jim Williams avalanche pulser is still classified as nukular military or dual-use technology and cannot be legally exported from UK without export licence.https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/export-controlshttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/626629/controllist20170713.pdf"" designation means that the restriction has originated from Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) dual-use list, probably in 1970's.QuoteStay legal, stay safe!Leo

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 02:40:28 pm
content: It does look like this is internationally accepted restriction.USA have the same entry inCommerce Control List, Supplement No. 1 to Part 774, Category 3on page 24.Is this restricted for export to certain countries or anywhere?Leo

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 02:45:05 pm
content: So, if I understand this right, your new fast pulse generator is allowed to be exported because it is lower than 6V in the output level?

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 02:47:35 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on October 21, 2017, 02:45:05 pmI wasn't specifically concerned about my pulser because it is 1V max into 50R but I wanted to know where the line in the sand is...Story time:10 years ago I have worked with a guy who found, read [and misunderstood] the UK export regulations list and decided that sub-heading "3A002 General purpose "electronic assemblies", modules and equipment..." means thatany electronicsrequires export licence. He was very law abiding guy and decided that we are engaging in criminal activity by literally selling USB joystick controllers to France and that "all of eBay will sooner or later be in jail." Nothing could reason with him. I suggested him to ring export control group at department for international trade and get us a licence. So he rang them and asked to get an export licence for a USB joystick game controller. Obviously they had no idea what he was on about and told our guy [probably collectively folding in half] that he needs to present his case to a panel of experts but attack weapons specialist is booked for the next 3 weeks. He got off the phone and demanded that we shut down our website for 3 week until we get the export licence. You can probably guess what I said. Next day he rang and said that he is leaving the company because he is not a criminal and that was the end of our partnership.Leo

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 02:51:38 pm
content: Leo,You will know if it is illegal if you get an inquiry from 'Little_Rocket_Man'.Jay_Diddy_B

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 03:27:36 pm
content: Quote from: Jay_Diddy_B on October 21, 2017, 02:51:38 pmIn 2014 I have launched a small amateur radio balloon that on its second circumnavigation leg flew through North Korean airspace at 14km altitude. It was a bit tense but nothing happened.Leo

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 03:34:13 pm
content: About 1 year ago I tried to import a old Fluke 731B DC reference standard from the USA to Germany and the seller referenced the US export law and would not send me the 731B.So, some people take the law it little too far.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 03:51:39 pm
content: Hi,Sometimes this happens through association. If you have a hammer that is used to break open a packing crate containing an XYZ restricted system the hammer becomes a key component in the XYZ system and adopts the restrictions of that system.You get screwdrivers becoming F14 spares etc.The other scenario is that the government liquidates obsolete material through an auction. They lump everything together and place export restrictions on everything. This is to prevent mistakes. If they break the terms of the export restrictions and get caught it is a disaster. There are fines, they may be banned from future transacations....So you get the situation, like you describe, where a harmless piece of equipment can not be exported. It makes no sense, but when did governments ever make senseJay_Diddy_B

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 03:56:51 pm
content: I once had to go through the "export and import munitions" paperwork for a glorified DDS.The glorification was that it could be programmed to generate an arbitrary waveform; reputedly it could establish communications with some fighter aircraft

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 04:06:34 pm
content: The statute is less important than an interpretation which cannot be challenged.One case I know of involved someone trying to import Tektronix tunnel diodes from Italy to the US from and for equipment that was 40+ years old. They had to give up.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 05:10:58 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on October 21, 2017, 02:19:09 pmAarrgh!What side of the Atlantic do you live on?The correct spelling -and pronunciationisNuclear(Sorry - pet peeve, as in: If you can't pronounce it then you shouldn't be allowed to have it!)P.S.... and that applies toSolderingIrons too!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 06:02:22 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on October 21, 2017, 05:10:58 pmAnd now you are in a huge government database of potential terrorists

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 06:02:48 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on October 21, 2017, 05:10:58 pmThatsthejoke.pngTim

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 06:09:25 pm
content: Quote from: Leo Bodnar on October 21, 2017, 02:19:09 pmHmm, so if you do it with AV cable (75 ohm), or you attenuate it enough, you're fine?The direct output is quite 'hot' (about 100V for a 2N3904 avalanche), but that's almost useless for most applications as input voltage ranges tend to be quite small on sampling scopes.Do they define how risetime must be measured? If I accidentally export a stack of 74LVC1G14 gates, am I screwed? If I measure with my Tek 475 and it says 2ns, who's to say I'm wrong? Are they going to crack open the crate, figure out how to power up and measure it, and ding me for it?Tim

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 07:08:43 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on October 21, 2017, 06:02:22 pmWell I'm already on their database of proven pedants!I once emailed President Obama in protest at an American owned high street retailers banning its staff from wearing Rememberance poppies to commemorate Armistice day, so I'm doubtless on some troublemaker database. They did reversed their decision the next day though!In my defence I was in the middle of chemo at the time and in a bad mood, resembling Victor Meldrew even more than usual! That's my castAluminiumexcuse anyway.P.S. It's worth it to stop you lot 'soddering around' with the English language anyway.(Sorry Leo, didn't mean to derail the topic).

author: Leo Bodnar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2017, 08:17:31 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on October 21, 2017, 06:09:25 pmThis is what makes it dual-use. You pick up the wrong cable and - boom - you are in trouble.Drop in 7806 instead of 7805 and the game is over.Leo