Illegal amplifiers installation not allowed on vehicles

Vehicle drivers and owners are reminded not to install illegal radio frequency power amplifiers or any other similar installations on vehicles.

Regarding a recent newspaper report saying that some taxis had installed illegal radio frequency power amplifier in order to increase the radio transmitting power, a spokesman for the Transport Department pointed out that, under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106), other than a few exceptions like radio broadcast receiver or cellular phones, radio equipment in vehicle needed to be licensed.

"For the mobile radio station in taxi, it is an offence under the Ordinance to increase the output power to exceed 25 watts e.r.p. The driver and the owner of the vehicle may be prosecuted," he added.

The spokesman also reminded that the installation of electrical equipment next to the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank in the luggage compartment might affect the operation of the LPG fuel system. The Commissioner for Transport is empowered to cancel the vehicle licence of such taxi.

End/Tuesday, March 13, 2001