Skip to main content

License and Disclaimer

This section contains important legal information regarding the use, distribution, and responsibilities associated with the WSPR Beakon project.

License

This project is licensed under the CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 - Strongly Reciprocal (CERN-OHL-S v2).

What This License Allows

  • Use the hardware design for any purpose
  • Study how the hardware works and learn from the design
  • Modify the design to suit your specific needs
  • Share copies of the original or modified design with others

Strongly Reciprocal Condition

The "Strongly Reciprocal" condition means that if you distribute products based on this design, you must also share any modifications under the same license, ensuring the hardware design remains open and accessible to the community.

Full License Text

For the complete license terms, please refer to:

Disclaimer

General Disclaimer

This project is shared as-is, without warranty of any kind. The authors and contributors make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information, designs, or software provided.

User Responsibility

Each person is responsible for:

  • Assembling and using their own WSPR Beakon system
  • Ensuring compliance with local radio regulations and laws
  • Obtaining proper amateur radio licensing where required
  • Using appropriate RF filtering and safety measures
  • Testing and verifying the performance of their assembly

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory Requirements

YOU MUST comply with your local radio regulations before operating any WSPR Beakon system. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Amateur Radio License: Valid license required for transmission
  • Power Limitations: Respect local power limits for each band
  • Spurious Emissions: Mandatory use of appropriate filtering
  • Band Plans: Operate only within designated WSPR frequencies
  • Identification: Proper station identification as required by law

RF Safety and Filtering

Mandatory RF Filtering

THE USE OF APPROPRIATE RF FILTERING IS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY. The Si5351 module generates harmonics that must be filtered before connecting to any antenna system. Failure to use proper filtering may:

  • Cause interference to other radio services
  • Violate regulatory requirements
  • Result in legal penalties
  • Damage other equipment

Power Supply Safety

Electrical Safety
  • Use appropriate power supplies rated for the circuit requirements
  • Disconnect external power before connecting programming cables
  • Follow proper electrical safety practices during assembly and operation
  • Be aware that improper power connections may damage equipment or computers

Limitation of Liability

The project authors and contributors shall not be liable for:

  • Any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Personal injury or property damage resulting from use of this design
  • Regulatory violations or legal issues arising from improper use
  • Equipment damage due to assembly errors or misuse
  • Interference to other radio services or electronic equipment

No Warranty

This project is provided without warranty, including but not limited to:

  • Fitness for a particular purpose
  • Accuracy of frequency generation
  • Compliance with specific regulatory requirements
  • Compatibility with all equipment configurations
  • Freedom from defects or errors

Commercial Use

While the CERN-OHL-S v2 license permits commercial use, commercial users assume full responsibility for:

  • Product safety and compliance testing
  • Regulatory approvals and certifications
  • Customer support and warranty obligations
  • Intellectual property clearance beyond this design
  • Meeting all applicable commercial standards

Modifications and Derivatives

If you modify this design:

  • You must share your modifications under the same CERN-OHL-S v2 license
  • Document your changes clearly for other users
  • Ensure modified designs meet the same safety and regulatory standards
  • Take responsibility for the performance of your modifications

Support and Community

  • Technical support is provided on a best-effort basis through community forums
  • No guarantee of response time or problem resolution
  • Community contributions are welcome but not obligated
  • Commercial support may be available separately through designated channels

Acknowledgment

By building, modifying, or using this WSPR Beakon design, you acknowledge that:

  • You have read and understood this disclaimer
  • You accept full responsibility for your use of the design
  • You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
  • You understand the technical and legal risks involved
Questions About License or Disclaimer

If you have questions about the license terms or disclaimer, please:

  • Review the full CERN-OHL-S v2 license text
  • Consult with legal counsel if needed for commercial applications
  • Contact the project maintainers through the GitHub repository
  • Seek advice from local amateur radio authorities for regulatory questions

Last Updated: October 2025

Project Repository: https://github.com/danielcharrua/wspr-beakon