On a competing Part 15 site there is a very nice looking form that provides information about one's station. Generally speaking the FCC does not seek nor has the resources to concern themselves with information about your station.
However, it's probably not a bad idea to have this information readily available at your transmitter location in the unlikely event that you get a visit.
I might add that the former chief of the Tampa Enforcement Division drove within 7 miles of my station on a daily basis. If I ever got a visit I never knew it.
Are there/would there be any benefit in having a certain set of information around? If you aren't breaking the law, does the FCC have any real reason to pay you a visit?
Best,
kc
I would assume if you note that your station is broadcasting according to part 15 rules that there shouldn't be an issue.
I get questioned about it (Especially with the 10 Ft antenna) and I have to recite part 15:219 and 15:221 because I may go carrier current) and inform people they can look at the rules themselves. Also telling them about the Procaster AM transmitter and showing the link as well as information station specialist does seem to help as well.
All of this Pirate Radio buzz has trickled down to the public but not in a good way for part 15 broadcasters.
Fortunately here in Deltaville, VA I get more pro support than anti establishment folks with the exception of those who say "How can you be on disability and own a Radio Station?" to which I have to explain and show proof of sponsorship and donations (that is why you hear it on my station every 9th song for the busy bodies) as well as any SSDI case worker who may find out through narcs that will try and claim I'm defrauding social security. I gave my case worker my website as well as links to the app to listen I have nothing to be ashamed of.
I got audited for my involvement in Internet Radio in 2009 and my case worker called me to tell me she would not continue to handle my claims because I work at my house at a Radio Station. I almost lost my disability because of this while living in Elizabeth City, NC (Beware Disabled People). I had to get a letter from LoudCity at the time telling my case worker it was a non profit HOBBY RADIO STATION!!
So if your on disability and your station is 100% donation supported (As Mine Is) you have more to worry about than the narcs or people who wish to try and destroy you using the FCC. You have those who wish to destroy you because your enjoying life in Radio while being supported by a congregation of same genre loving folks as you.
On AM following FCC rules I don't feel you have much to worry about. My broadcast engineer friend said you have more to worry about using FM. I can sleep at night knowing what he said.
My landlord questioned me about the legality when he found out I have a radio station broadcasting from my apt in the house and I explained anyone is allowed to have a station under BETS-1 rules and showed him the rules to read for himself and he just said oh I thought that something like this was illegal. Then he said if you want to put up an antenna outside or something go ahead.
You have to explain this.....even the music licensing people here don't know anything about unlicensed broadcasting so how do landlords.
When I first started Artisan Radio, I had to explain the BETS-1 rules to the first Industry Canada agent I talked to! I was being a good citizen and letting them know about my plans for broadcasting on Bowen Island.
To make a long story short, they basically told me to go away and not bother them. They would only get involved if someone made a complaint.
So while something like this form is a good idea in theory, in practice the FCC (and Industry Canada) really doesn't care...at least, until there's a complaint, or, as in the case of the Williamson guys, blatantly advertise publicly that you're a pirate. Then, as AMRadioLegend says, you'd better have all the information about your station available and be ready to answer questions re its legality.
Most people will never get to see the form mentioned above anyway, so it really doesn't matter 🙂
I keep a three ring notebook with all the technical and legal details of my station at hand. I've never had to show it to anyone, but as I run my station as a business it only makes good sense.
It contains a copy of applicable FCC rules
The purchasing information and certification of the Procaster
A printout of all the certification documentation filed with the FCC at the time the transmitter was certified (this is probably 50 pages or so).
Printout of the Procaster manual, detailing installation, etc.
My BMI license certification.
Written confirmation that SESAC and ASCAP do not require licensing for Part 15 stations, with their blessing to use their catalogs of music on the station.
Mission statement
Advertising rates
Policy for political advertising
Business registration and legal business name registration with the State.
A few award certificates and letters of commendation from various government and private groups.
A general list of Public Service Announcements run.
And a few other random things I'm not thinking of. It's very similar to the Public File kept by a licensed, commercial station.
Doesn't hurt to have these things at hand, just in case they're ever needed. And if you're organized with them in a presentable state, all the better.
TIB
TheLegacy said: "All of this Pirate Radio buzz has trickled down to the public but not in a good way for part 15 broadcasters."
I said: Really? I bring up the subject of pirate radio at the local watering hole and no one seems to know anything about Pirate vs Part 15 or the war from commercial broadcasters on hobby broadcasters.
I'm of the opinion that I don't need to notify the FCC about my part 15 station. After all, I'm doing something that is specifically permitted by law. Even if I wasn't, I wouldn't say much about it....a good general rule to use around police and other authorities is KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
Police will pose as if they were your friends....but they're really not. Everything they do has a evidence-gathering purpose....their job is to throw you in a jail cell. Therefore, it's best not to say anything to them that doesn't need to be said. Just my opinion.
BTW, that's why I shake my head at some of these suspects on cop shows. "You have the right to remain silent"....USE IT!! SMH.
There's no need to inform the FCC about a Part 15 station. In fact, there's evidence to suggest that they don't want to be bothered...unless there's a complaint, of course.
Then, I disagree with the comparison between police and the FCC. It is in your, and every Part 15 operator's interests, to cooperate with the FCC, particularly if you are really attempting to adhere to the rules, and aren't one of those nudge nudge wink wink self proclaimed 'Part 15 broadcasters'. The FCC, unlike the police, can and does want to work with you. I'm talking about the enforcement level, not the administrative levels, the latter of which are entirely political in nature.
It's my opinion that an information package such as the one described in this thread will go a long way to convince an FCC agent that you are attempting to broadcast within the Part 15 rules.