Most of you probably know about a petition made to the FCC late last year for a LPAM licensed service. I was looking at the FCC website and saw two related petitions. One was a recent, modified version of the original LPAM petition that simplified things a bit (the proposal looks good).
The other petition was much more interesting to us Part 15'ers. That petition was requesting a change to the Part 15 rules to allow a maximum of 1W, instead of the current 100mW. I don't know if we stand a snowballs chance in hell of having the FCC approve such a power increase, but I certainly would love to see it happen.
Most of you probably know about a petition made to the FCC late last year for a LPAM licensed service. I was looking at the FCC website and saw two related petitions. One was a recent, modified version of the original LPAM petition that simplified things a bit (the proposal looks good).
The other petition was much more interesting to us Part 15'ers. That petition was requesting a change to the Part 15 rules to allow a maximum of 1W, instead of the current 100mW. I don't know if we stand a snowballs chance in hell of having the FCC approve such a power increase, but I certainly would love to see it happen.
Of course, these petitions mean nothing unless the FCC decides to act on them. If they do, we'll see them issue a NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rule Making) before any actual rules go into effect. Related to all of the above, a friend of mine in the broadcast business says that he understands the FCC will be doing "something" this fall. I'll cross my fingers until then.
I would be more in favor of seeing something which would relax the 10 ft. antenna regulation...maybe leave the 100 mw restriction in place but allow any and all forms on antenna use.
I would also like to see the FCC adopt the Canadian FM radiation limits which allow four times the signal strength as the US rules.
The LPFM initiative took decades of hard work and extreme perserverance on the part of a small band of very dedicated people. The LPAM initiative will just as much effort. Remember, the opposition consists of the same broadcast interests that have tried to quash LPFM from the very beginning. Finding the words and documentation to cause the FCC to act are out here among us. Just like mining for precious metals, it takes a plan, hard work and the willingness to make it happen.
"The faithful" grow daily. Are you a bystander or are you willing to step out, become one of the "faithful" and work for the future? I have contacted and talked to the folks you mentioned who have filed the proposals for rule making. They have discovered the hard-truth that concensus is the fuel for success on this journey. And they welcome anyone willing to come along side to push toward the finish line.
Contact the people and organizations working for your benefit. Find out how you can help. Hope is fueled by preparation and being on the alert for opportunity. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. Faith and hope are partners in progress.
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
http://www.rhemaradio.org