eBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment, but Exempts Ham-Band-Only Gear
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
eBay restricts radio equipment listings but exempts ham-band-only gear.
eBay imposed new restrictions on radio transmitting equipment listings in response to new FCC rules effective October 13, 2026. The rules require FCC ID numbers for equipment subject to authorization. ARRL secured an exemption: devices operating only on amateur radio frequencies do not require FCC authorization and are exempt from the ID requirement. Exemptions also exist for existing listings, small sellers, and used equipment. The FCC did not change its underlying rules for amateur equipment, except commercial HF amplifiers.
What commenters are saying
Many commenters note that many Chinese radios already have trivial key-combo unlocks, making restrictions easy to bypass. Others clarify the rule mainly targets new listings without FCC IDs, not used gear. Several ask about test equipment and SDRs like ESP32s; responses point to used-gear exemptions. One commenter describes alternative ham gear marketplaces like QRZ.com, noting eBay is not essential for the community. A few express skepticism about enforcement and technical knowledge at eBay.