"....are confronted with a wide array of seemingly conflicting information, most of it applicable for the U.S. only. It also doesn't help that there is startling misinformation propagated by one of the so-called 'expert' websites in the field."
At Artisian's blog, yesterday and today:
http://artisanradio.hopto.org/blognov2024.html
Artisan Radio’s post addresses misinformation from a U.S.-based site claiming expertise on low-power broadcasting. Unlike the FCC’s Part 15 in the U.S., which doesn’t regulate broadcasting content, Canada’s regulations are stricter. Canada’s RSS210 only applies to non-broadcast uses, while BETS-1 covers unlicensed broadcasting. BETS-1 allows higher FM power but is limited in equipment options—only the Decade MS-100 is currently BETS-certified for FM, with no certified options for AM.
Broadcasting in Canada depends on intent: if transmissions target the general public, they qualify as broadcasting. However, limited, personal use or private broadcasts on bounded properties, like a parking lot, may not. BETS-certified setups allow multiple transmitters for broader, non-commercial broadcasting. Artisan Radio cautions Canadians to be aware of these distinctions to avoid regulatory issues, presenting this post as a correction to misleading claims from other sources.
- (ChatGPT summary)
This all has me thinking that I should just drop the AM and go back to FM with the Decade.
But the real problem is suitable space in the Toronto area as the band is almost filled to capacity. There is a key word in the broadcasting definition and that is "direct" intent which implies first and foremost. My second intent is the general public. My first intent is me.
Here's where in the USA you have it better as there's none of this Broadcasting and nonbroadcasting.
This all has me thinking that I should just drop the AM and go back to FM with the Decade....
I don't know Mark, I hope you aren't basing that decision on the AI summary written above of Artisians actual post.- I posted it as an incentive to visit his linked blog post on the subject.
From his actual post I got the impression that he was rethinking the matter.. Emphasizing a few points from his actual post:
"...It should also be equally clear that it can be difficult to determine intent.... say the ProCaster, you can't stop others from listening in to your transmissions. ... But if you are the primary listener to your own transmissions, those transmissions fall within the RSS210 guidelines, and... that's certainly not broadcasting. A fine but very real line there...
.....Canada also considers transmitting to a bounded property, such as a parking lot, or shopping center, to be not broadcasting. In that case, your audience is not the general public, but specific members of the public (such as users of a park, those attending church, shopping, etc.) and there is generally a specific reason for the transmission (say, a church service, or an information service such as tourism)...
The AI summary of his post doesn't illustrate those sentiments, so its neccessary to read what David actually said:> http://artisanradio.hopto.org/blognov2024.html
I also suggest that your neighborhood is not the general public. Your neighborhood is a "bounded property ", no different than a park, a shopping center, or a church is a "bonded property"
Your neighborhood area is "specific members of the public" and not "the general public", therefore permitted under RSS210 - and I think that is the point I think Artsian was leading
So let's assume for example your subdivision or neighborhood or whatever is known as Blueberry Hill. Your RSS210 (Procaster) transmission would then be "Bluebery Hill Radio". It is intended specifically for Blueberry Hill residents, thus legal under RSS210 regulations.
You see what I mean?
@richpowers No this has nothing to do with AI.
Yes I see what you mean. There are many ways to rationalize you are not broadcasting.
Artisan hasn't said anything I have not known. I have in my mind tried to figure out that if I had to convince an agent that this is not broadcasting how would I do it. BETS stands for broadcast equipment technical standards and is a separate section from RSS-210 which is radio standards specification. RSS-210 certified equipment is not considered broadcast equipment. I have also thought that my immediate neighbourhood specifically targeted to just the people that live in a certain boundary and give that a name is exactly the same as an outdoor mall parking lot or a park where anyone from the general public can be there. That is more broadcasting than targeting a specific area where people live as permanent residents. Yes my intent is myself but also to get listeners in the area. And even if I advertise it is there for the area and I define the area, I can argue this is not broadcasting in the eyes of RSS-210. Even the jingles and promos could be changed to reflect the targeted area that is my neighbourhood. No matter how you look at it the government has this broadcasting and nonbroadcasting and two sets of unlicensed operation and there has to be difference somehow.
This is crazy!! And Artisan personally agrees with me. You are absolutely right in your assessment that it is not broadcasting to your specified neighbourhood and that is what is targeted and nothing else. Same as a public park or shopping mall. According to Artisan's interpretation of it. But content can also determine it. If I have promos and jingles and I play music and old time dramas and not information or events about the neighbourhood the CRTC could say that sounding like a radio station is broadcasting and you can't do that with RSS-210..you need BETS. And on and on it goes. Even no AM BETS transmitters is a valid argument.
So right now I will stick to the Decade and FM for peace of mind and don't forget that we have with BETS more range than part 15 on FM. I may reconsider. What we need is a court case where someone gets told you can't use a Procaster from your own property as you can't broadcast to the area like a radio station and wins the case arguing all these things. That would set a precedent and it would all have to be changed. But I don't know if I want to be the one to do it. I think it would be a good court case. A transmitter is certified legal no license needed but you can't use it in even in your own community.
@mark "I have in my mind tried to figure out that if I had to convince an agent that this is not broadcasting how would I do it."
It seems so clear to me (after mulling over it for several days).
Besides, it's all "broadcasting". Both methods.
There is no rationale to rule that a church or park or shopping center can legally utilize RSS210 to Broadcast to their select intended group, but an established subdivision/neighborhood cant not broadcast to for its intended group.
It's the exact identical situation.
I personally am beginning to think you two may both be actually making an issue of a non-issue.
But I'm only looking at the question at face value, based only on the facts as you and Artsian have relayed them in thse past weeks. I've not delved into the official CRTC rules myself.
Out of curiosity, and a bit off-topic; has Canada granted licensed AM stations FM repeaters like they have here in the U.S.?
@richpowers Not like they do in the US. There is one AM station, Zoomer 740 that I know of here that has a repeater on FM just for the Toronto area and really just the downtown area. The AM is for everywhere else. But there's FM stations that simulcast with repeaters on different frequencies to cover other districts besides their own.
@mark You said this in another thread, but I'm going to respond to it here.
"Those ground lead debates go on and on. Similar to the ground lead debate there's the debate in Canada about broadcasting and nonbroadcasting, as is our crazy rules. That could go on and on also."