Degress Report

I have to take exception to some of the remarks in the previous post.

"such as assuming that all such hobbyists are liars who break every rule; " I haven't seen where anyone is called a liar. I have seen posts where misinformation is posted such as citing FM transmitters as being legal because the power output is less than a certain wattage when the rules contain no reference to power on FM. Making such a statement is technical nonsense and when the correct information regarding field strength is posted offense is taken. I have seen examples of twisting the definition of the ground lead length for AM to suite a purpose of elevating transmitters when for over 90 years those who practice radio technology have known what a ground lead is in simple terms, yet when clarification is offered offense is taken. A recent post where a simulation predicted that an elevated tx. produces over 5X the field strength compared to one ground mounted contained a caveat about legality and offense was taken. There is a difference between lying and simply either not knowing or misunderstanding the technology, which happens, and efforts to clarify should be welcomed.

"...make up your own versions of the rules which are much more restrictive." I have seen posts where this is done except to make the rules LESS restrictive. Consider the logic that since no license is available for a particular mode of operation then unlicensed operation should be OK. Consider that the length of a ground lead begins at the transmitter and ends where it is attached to a metal tower when, again, practitioners of radio know better and when this is presented offense is taken.

"Even snitching is legal..." Actually it is but I haven't seen anyone posting here encourage this except for the case of blatant pirate operation.

"Many great men of history are known today because of their flair for demolition." Yes, and many destructive men are known today from history for twisting the truth to their own purposes to the point where their version of truth became accepted.

Applying my rebuttal to this forum, I believe that accurate information is valuable and inaccurate information should be noted as such and corrected. I make mistakes and when I am corrected, though perhaps embarrassed, I accept and appreciate the correction.

I would hope that we are all here to help each other and when technical information is offered it should not be viewed as "lording" over anyone.

We all need to lighten up.

Neil

I don't believe in snitching on another hobby radio operator just because you don't like their range. But on the other hand if a radio operator is malicious causing interference and or does not stop the transmitting when they know they are causing harmonics or won't except any guidance as to how they can solve the issue needs to have someone take them down. Its no different than someone who goes over the speed limit. Your not likely to snitch on someone going 60 in a 55 zone, but if someone is going 120 obviously their unsafe. There is a point where I'd say a hobby operator is unsafe. Operating at 100 Watts for an example is unsafe to licensed operators and possibly other services. I've heard the same ole same ole that the law is the law yada yada yada. Some people always feel they need to play Radio police. What does this do to the hobby operators who don't break the rules when someone tattles on someone else near their area? In my humble opinion it draws the wrong attention to hobby Radio both to the FCC, and worse yet the public and local law enforcement and land lords. Many land lords don't like antennas up because of CB Radio complaints in the 70s and early 80s. When John Q public see's another antenna erected in their neighborhood, already may imagine accounts as to why suddenly their TV's color or poor picture quality must be because 3 houses down the street there is an antenna. Already he is associated with the poor quality of his or her TV. When it could be a number of other issues. Now the war on Pirate Radio may draw the unwanted attention to an apartment owner or may rise to a paranoia of liability if god forbid that person is a Pirate. Who's to say that a person owning a Ham Radio rents from the land lord isn't a Pirate. So again there is far more severe consequences of drawing negative attention to hobby Radio. If for example people start to believe that often Pirate Radio operators operate from 1610-1710 Khz and your hobby station is on one of those frequencies already someone may claim Pirate and call the FCC. Yes I know your not breaking the law. But say an inspector finds your ground is ¼ inch over the limit and shuts you down what then? Its a headache we all don't need and the finger pointing of other Radio operators isn't winning any brownie points with the FCC either. Some may believe that any form of Hobby Broadcasting is like a drug and it won't be long till your going to want more range legal part 15 or Pirate running a few mW's and getting out 1-2 miles. Point is that Radio and the business model needs to change. Its got to because the cat is out of the bag. Transmitters are available and most hobbyists want some Range. Lately I fear that lawmakers are not making any separation between Pure T Pirate and part 15. Just google and you'll see they list 1610-1710 Khz as popular Pirate Radio frequencies. That doesn't alarm you? If not, it should. In my opinion Pirate snitching unless interference is an issue will be what kills this hobby for everyone. Like it or not it will. Instead joining together and forming an FM Initiative nation wide and Station8's antenna will be the only thing that saves part 15 hobby Radio.

Neil: ""Even snitching is legal..." Actually it is..."

In defining the negative counterposition of the part 15 hobby, which has gone unrealized and unexpressed until I discovered it, 'snitching' had to be included as a legal form of participating in the hobby from a negative perspective.

We never know of a snitches presence because, despite not being illegal, snitches tend to be secretive and deceptive for a complex of reasons.

In brief, though legal, snitching can be unethical, immoral, an intrusion of privacy, and sometimes a violation of the Commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Snitching tends to be done by righteous vigilantes who assume a fallacious mantle of authority and may even be symptomatic of a narcissistic mental health disorder.

Snitches in military service meet "friendly fire' which at least merits them heroes funerals, in police ranks 'life lost in the line of service", in prison stabbed on the way to lunch and if it's a neighbor, life long retaliations from the neighborhood.

Again, all I'm saying in this essay, is that snitching is available to the negative hobbyist as a medium of participation.

Most readers have been lead by Mr Blare to believe that I have "snitched" to the FCC about operators that were/are non-compliant with Part 15.

That is an absolute, 100% lie.  Mr Blare cannot prove otherwise because no "FCC snitching" ever took place on my part.

Quite a few years ago I did exchange private e-mails with several manufacturers of Part 15 AM transmitters, whose on-line documents supported the use of elevated installations using long, radiating ground conductors that would not comply with FCC §15.219(b).  I expected that those manufacturers would appreciate the heads-up, so as not to risk the possibility of leading the users of their equipment toward an FCC NOUO.  Those results were "mixed."

One of them asked their attorney to send me a threatening letter.  I responded to that attorney with documentation proving that what I had sent and posted on this subject was true, and that as such, was not subject to legal action/suppression.  After that the attorney's letters and demands ceased.

IMO Mr Blare's comments in Reply 4 are reckless -- especially about about what happens to snitches -- and beneath the behavior to be expected from him as a seasoned professional.

This entire site has become one huge pissing contest that I'm amazed Radio8z has tolerated this long. As you can all tell the main admin is just about done with the crap that has been going on here. Keep it up guys, you might get a prize.

Keeping things clear, Rich is "tripping" as I have not accused him of snitching to anyone nor do I have knowledge of any such action on his part.

To Rich's benefit I have opened a category of Part 15 hobby participation known as "Negative Part 15 Hobbying," and named several permissable ways of practicing the negative version, not speaking of any individual in particular.

For the good of the part15(dot)us website, and in solidarity with Barry of Blue Bucket Radio, I will take a leave of absence with only the deepest appreciation for having been part of this website for so long.

This site is still by far the most active, and in my view, the most informative, of all the Part 15 and radio forums that are around.

There will always be issues when you (mostly) allow freedom of expression, as opposed to excessive moderation (and I certainly prefer the former).  I don't see anything here that can't be worked through with a bit of effort on everyone's part.