Editing Global Positioning System (section)

==== Restrictions on civilian use ====
The U.S. government controls the export of some civilian receivers. All GPS receivers capable of functioning above {{cvt|60,000|ft|km||abbr=in|sp=us}} above sea level and {{cvt|1000|knot|m/s km/h mph|sigfig=1|abbr=in|sp=us}}, or designed or modified for use with unmanned missiles and aircraft, are classified as [[United States Munitions List|munitions]] (weapons)—which means they require [[United States Department of State|State Department]] export licenses.<ref>Arms Control Association.[http://www.armscontrol.org/documents/mtcr Missile Technology Control Regime] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916123933/http://www.armscontrol.org/documents/mtcr |date=September 16, 2008 }}. Retrieved May 17, 2006.</ref> This rule applies even to otherwise purely civilian units that only receive the L1 frequency and the C/A (Coarse<!-- "Coarse" is correct, as in "not finely detailed"-->/Acquisition) code.

Disabling operation above these limits exempts the receiver from classification as a munition. Vendor interpretations differ. The rule refers to operation at both the target altitude and speed, but some receivers stop operating even when stationary. This has caused problems with some amateur radio balloon launches that regularly reach {{convert|30|km|ft|sigfig=1|abbr=in|sp=us}}. These limits only apply to units or components exported from the United States. A growing trade in various components exists, including GPS units from other countries. These are expressly sold as [[International Traffic in Arms Regulations|ITAR]]-free.