It's amazing what you can find out when you do some digging.
I just read a blog on Canada's BETS regulations (it was linked to from the Part 15 AM/FM Facebook page). There were a number of inaccuracies in that blog entry, which I clarified on that Facebook page. I also found out, however, that I have been incorrect in my understanding of at least one aspect of the rules, and also found an inconsistency in RSS210.
First, the blog stated that all unlicensed broadcasters in Canada operating under BETS had to obtain a Broadcast Certificate from Industry Canada. I had never heard of that, so did some digging. It turns out that you don't need a Broadcast Certificate if you are using BETS-certified equipment. You can still use other transmitters, but then you need to apply for that certificate or license.
But wait a minute. I wasn't even aware that there were BETS certified transmitters. It turns out I mixed up that part about getting the Broadcast Certificate (Industry Canada potentially comes in and inspects your equipment) with this. If you search the Industry Canada equipment database, there is exactly 1 that is currently in production - the Decade MS-100 series. The CM-10 was certified as well, but it is now discontinued.
The blogger then goes on to talk about that the MS-100 only operates at 250uv/m at 3 meters as per RSS210, which is also incorrect. The Decade is certified under BOTH BETS and RSS210, and the BETS transmitters are tuned for Canadian customers to the BETS rules.
But then it seemed to me that I had seen an entry in the Industry Canada database that indicated that RSS210 certified FM transmitters can have a field strength identical to that of BETS (I was looking up something that I had seen on e-bay). After much searching (since I couldn't remember exactly what I was looking for), it turns out that the Unikit UX-400 and UX-600 are both certified under RSS210 (at least according to that database) and their field strength is listed at 950 and 975 (approx.) uv at 3 meters respectively. It was actually listed as dbuv, but that was obviously a typo, as that would put the field strength well into the multiple volts range (120dbuv is 1 volt).
So either the database is wrong (I doubt it, as the numbers are too close to BETS limits) or RSS210 has been effectively changed to reflect BETS or ? The certification exists so something has happened.
Now if only Industry Canada would merge the BETS and RSS210 AM rules to allow RSS210 certified transmitters (under the 3 meter/100mw input to the final stage section) such as the ProCaster to be legally used as broadcasting devices (currently, there are no BETS-certified AM transmitters, and BETS dictates a 250uv/m at 30 meters field strength maximum only, no 3 meter rule).
I'll need to review your new findings and review what it is I have proposed and whether it actually matches the situation once it's re-explained.
Do I mean that we want 15.239 to match the BETS field strength, or does RSS210 need to be mentioned, or...
I'll be re-reading what has just been shared and waiting for further clarifications.
The Pro FM Initiative has tipped over momentarilly.
So with AM we have a choice.....either the same as the USA(100MW with 3 meter antenna) or 250uV/M@30meters(2500uv/M@3meters)? Which of the two would get you farther?
Mark
Very Interesting. I thought I had the whole thing with Canada totally understood. There seems to be a few things we need to look into with that so we have our facts straight. This is a good find and could prove interesting as we continue to study and take notes.
Mark, but the letter of the rules states that only BETS can be used for broadcasting. However, there are no BETS-certified AM transmitters. And the lines seems to be blurring between BETS and RSS210 with the discovery of several FM transmitters, certified under RSS210, and yet having field strengths at 3 meters between 950-975uv.
I don't know what to tell you. I doubt very much that Industry Canada would bother you if you used, say, an RSS210 certified ProCaster. But you never know.
Oh, and there's no doubt that the 3 meter/100mw transmitter will get you much more range than the field strength. Rich did a calculation a while ago about that, and it turned out (if I'm remembering correctly) that you would be lucky to get 100 feet with the specified field strength.
It would be an interesting twist, Carl, if there are RSS210 transmitters certified at BETS field strength levels (and it wasn't just an error in the Industry Canada database and these were really certified under BETS). It would make the case for changes to Part 15.239 much easier to make (RSS210 is almost a carbon copy of Part 15, except for the proviso at the beginning stating that you have to use BETS if you're broadcasting to the public). Canada needs (or at least, the bureaucrats think it needs) two separate sets of rules because of the CRTC, which regulates broadcasting content. There is no such body in the U.S. - the FCC does everything.
This is a very interesting discovery Artisan Radio. How in our studies can we find out of this is an error or not? Now this could shed new light in what seem like doom for any FM initiative. This in itself could allow us to continue regardless if we play Music or what we do for we could pull data about interference and the lack of since the large population of Canada is in the USA. Maybe proving the lack of low power micro broadcast users could also help. Is it possible that the FCC would bring up the fact that what would happen if every other person in a neighborhood owned one of these? Or am I just reaching here? OK I like this. We'll have to see if this actually sparks any interest at all.