Hello, I am new to using this website and using this form. I am also pretty new to part 15 broadcasting, I own a part 15 LPAM station in Scranton PA. It is 1710.
Hello, I am new to using this website and using this form. I am also pretty new to part 15 broadcasting, I own a part 15 LPAM station in Scranton PA. It is 1710.
I do not know if I am posting in the right spot. I am hearing a rumor that the FCC will allow unlicensed broadcasters to broadcast on the TV band. I am associating this with Part 15, almost like part 15 tv. If this is true, they say it will happen after the DTV transition in 2009. Does anyone know if this is true?
If it is, would it have to be a digital transmitter or could it be analog, like the Ramsey TV6C? Also, where would you purchase a DTV transmitter?
If anyone knows, I am just curious. Thank You,
Radio 1710
I've no idea regarding that rumor but I am not looking forward to losing analog TV. Battery operated TV is the only option during a hurricane or other severe weather for those who can't hear radio (deaf/hard of hearing). Even with digital battery powered TV, the signal probably won't be usable during the most dangerous period where as an analog signal might make it through. Presently your digital TV can pick up both analog and digital signals but after the transition I guess they will stop manufacturing analog compatible units. Possibly? Who would be able to receive a Part 15 analog signal? I just hope analog AM MW never gets outlawed.
Currently the FCC does not allow any Part 15 broadcasting in the TV band. Companies like Google and Microsoft are petitioning the FCC to allow Part 15 usage of the TV band (wireless internet in the "white spaces" between DTV channels), however this will probably be far in the future.
In order to broadcast DTV, you would need to have a real-time MPEG-2 encoder, ATSC 8-VSB modulator, and linear amplifier. You could probably get away without the linear amplifier depending on the output of the modulator... I looked into getting equipment to do DTV over amateur radio and it would cost me about $15,000 just for the MPEG-2 encoder and the ATSC 8-VSB modulator and that would give me about 500mw output... 🙁
I suspect that NTSC analog broadcasting will continue to be around in the hobby market for some time...
First Welcome and good luck getting your station running! I have not heard anything like that. Most of the area from Ch2 to 6 is to be re-allocated for government use.
Hope this helps