A search of the FCC Database indicates that the FCC is opened to issuing licenses (only 1) to Traveler stations on 1710 KHZ. So my question is, why are Part 15 operators not allowed to use this wasteland?
My idea is that they amended the rules for Part 15 before considering using 1710 for any kind of operation. When it was found that most tuners had the extra frequency, then it became a target, maybe in areas where the AM band is full.
To me it seems the rules are made to be broken and are not so hard and fast. I've seen a lot of exceptions in radio operation, when they can be justified by something.
I think Nate is right about why Part 15 AM doesn't extend to 1710 and I think the same is true of FM 87.5, 87.7, and 87.9.
Here on the part15(DOT)us forum we maintain a policy of obedience to Part 15 as the Law of the Land.
Yet such patriotic loyalty should also pay reverance to the time honored tradition of civil disobedience against bad laws.
It is with this in mind that I am presenting to the ALPB this coming Saturday at the Meeting a proposal that once a year on Millard Fillmore Day we broadcast proudly at 1710 kHz.
Fillmore was the 13th U.S. President who entered office on July 9, 1850.
I think Nate is right about why Part 15 AM doesn't extend to 1710 and I think the same is true of FM 87.5, 87.7, and 87.9.
I am not sure I understand what you meant with this comment?
I think Nate thinks the Part 15 Rules got written the way they are now, that is amended from the way they were before they are the way they are now, and then the FCC began making allowances for some licensed use of 1710 without thinking to re-arrange the Part 15 rules to incorporate 1710 kHz for Part 15 use. And if that's what Nate thinks, which I think it is, then that's what I think too, and if you agree with us then it would be what you think, unless you don't.
“I know you think you believe you understand what you thought I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is exactly what I meant.”
That explains it.
How many 1710 TIS stations are there? When I search for them I only get 2 hits.
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/travelers-information-stations-search http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Menu_Reports/engineering_search_out.cfm
The 160m amateur radio band starts at 1800khz. Audio with a brick wall low pass at 10khz modulated on a 1710khz carrier would have information modulated/energy from 1700khz to 1720khz. That leaves an 80khz guard band between pirate use of 1710 and a HAM band.
Additionally, 1710 may serve as a guard band for licensees below the 160m band but above the expanded broadcast band.
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/General_Menu_Reports/engineering_search_out.cfm?service_select=%25&accessible=NO&state_select=&begin_freq=1700&begin_freq_type=K&end_freq=1800&end_freq_type=K&polar=B&radio_ch0=P&lat_ddd=&lat_ddd_cfforminteger=Latitude+degrees+must+be+numeric.&lat_mm=&lat_mm_cfforminteger=Latitude+minutes+must+be+numeric.&lat_ss=&lat_ss_cfformnumeric=Latitude+Seconds+must+be+numeric.&ns_radio_ch1=N&lon_ddd=&lon_ddd_cfforminteger=Longitude+degrees+must+be+numeric.&lon_mm=&lon_mm_cfforminteger=Longitude+minutes+must+be+numeric.&lon_ss=&lon_SS_cfformnumeric=Longitude+seconds+must+be+numeric.&ew_radio_ch1=W&radius=&Radius_cfformnumeric=Radius+must+be+numeric.&distance_type=&lat_ddd2=&lat_mm2=&lat_ss2=&ns_radio_ch2=&lon_ddd2=&lon_mm2=&lon_ss2=&ew_radio_ch2=&soundex_select=&wild_select=on&begin_grant_date=&end_grant_date=&begin_expiration_date=&end_expiration_date=&sortstring=%2C+lic_name%2C+file_num&limit_select=4
For example, if someone in the northeast were using 1710 and they had spill over above 1720, they would be stepping on the license of WH2XDE https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/442_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=59639&license_seq=60197
Since the definition of the part 15 rules includes accepting interference from licensed users and not causing interference to licensed users, 1710 being a no-man’s-land keeps part 15 AM transmitters from hurting adjacent licensees.
(Messing with FM frequencies less than 88 is bad because the part 15 rules explicitly say the TV bands are off limits [with some exceptions for wireless microphones.])
What is interesting to me is: 1984 edition of the Part 15 rules sets the top limit at 1705KHZ. The expanded band from 1610 to 1705 was not placed into operation until 1993. So the FCC in 1984 was protecting what from 1610 to 1705? Dead air?