Hi everyone,
Hi everyone,
I recently became interested in unlicensed broadcasting, and to get started at a fairly low price I bought a Belkin Tunecast II FM transmitter. Since these are made and used mainly for broadcasting from an iPod to a car's radio, they don't have very much range. I discovered by Googling and reading this blog entry that the antenna on the Tunecast is the audio input cord and that one can get more range by using a headphone extension cord between the speaker and the transmitter, thereby creating a longer antenna.
My question is, by doing this would I be over the 250 µV/m at 3m as allowed by Part 15? I enjoy broadcasting as a hobby but would hate to get busted by the FCC on an issue such as this.
No way to tell for certain without some very expensive gear, bobcobb22. But if the range to a good reciever is less than about 200 ft, you're *probably* ok or at least close to it.
Adding antenna and running it other than off a car's electrical system would technically void any FCC type approval/acceptance it has via the manufaturer since you aren't using it precisely as the manufacturer directs. But if the range is short I think you'd probably still be within the allowed effective radiated power.
Don't construe that as "official" legal advice though, of course.
Daniel
Hi,
From my understanding, part 15 AM and FM rules were intended to provide for precisely what this unit is designed to do; namely link an audio source to a nearby receiver. The very restrictive technical specs. allow for this and when we try to use them for community broadcasting we have to push the rules to the limits.
Now, to your question. Technically, if you operate any certified part 15 device in a manner not specified by the manufacturer then the device is no longer certified and you will assume responsibility if there is a problem. Unless the extension cord is mentioned in the instructions, then this is the case.
Practically, if you are able to increase your range with this cord there is no workable way for a hobbyist to assure compliance with the 250 uV/m at 3 m. rule. The best you can do is check your range and if it is about 200 feet or so you are probably OK and you can have fun and enjoy your "broadcasts". Though you may not be perfectly in compliance, I doubt you will have any problems unless you cause interference.
Hope this helps.
Neil
Okay, thanks for the information guys.