Thanks Carl for the invite.
At this point, I am a radio novice and embarrassingly so 🙁
Where I could contribute to the ALPB is trying to get some of the meat of the issues (compliance, Part 15 regulations, recommended kits/setups, etc.) gathered into one reference point for ALPB to direct newcomers. Of course with the help of everyone interested in making Part 15 work and advance the community. Lots of the data is scattered on here, but needs rounded up and fact/sanity checked.
I think there is a need for that.
Rich posted previously, "my comments are based on physical reality".
Later, Rich also posted, "Part 15 has nothing to do with ... program content..."
I'm glad you brought up what the Part 15 rules pertain to, Rich, because Part 15 rules also contain virtually no statements to do with physical reality, i.e., the laws of physics. Nowhere in those rules does it state, for example, that you are not allowed to have an elevated mount, a radiating ground, or a radiating feedline (some of Rich's favorite topics). Instead, the rules (at least the section that most Part 15 broadcasters adhere to) consist of words describing what a compliant Part 15 station would LOOK like - antenna length, input power to the final stage, etc.
And as the rules are just descriptive words, they are subject to interpretation. I stated previously that FCC inspectors used to allow short ground wires connected to an elevated metal mast structure (the latter forming the ground). Later (post 2007 according to Ermi), they no longer allowed that. Did physical reality or the laws of physics change in 2007? No, but their interpretation of what a ground is did.
And just look at the case of the Talking House transmitter, which is FCC certified for use with their ATU. The rules state that a transmitter is allowed 100mw input to the final stage. They also state that the feedline+antenna+ground wire length can be a maximum of 10 feet in length. Now, the FCC ultimately interpreted these descriptive words to mean, in this one particular case, that the ATU is the final stage of the transmiting system, allowing that ATU to be mounted externally, outdoors, and the coax connecting it to the transmitter NOT considered part of the feedline.
So, I'm sure Rich, that there are those that are interested in your discussions of physical reality, even, sometimes, me. But NOT as they apply to the rules. Because then you're applying YOUR interpretation to those rules, and frankly, I couldn't give a toss about YOUR interpretation. The only interpretations that matter are those of an FCC inspector.
rock95seven, don't not participate here because of posters such as Rich. No one (except him) is sure why he is here, but he obviously has his own agenda. I have continuously invited him to share with us his actual experience with Part 15 broadcasting (which would lend a bit more credence to his comments), but to date he has declined that invitation.
By far, most of the people participating on this Forum ARE Part 15 broadcasters (no matter what country they are in, and what the rules there are actually called) and are glad to help out anybody who is also interested in actually doing something with it.
You should also consider joining the ALPB, which is meeting this Friday - OUR motives ARE stated and simple - to bring radio back to the people, while complying with the rules of whatever locale each station is located in, for unlicensed (or low power) broadcasting.
ArtisanRadio wrote: I stated previously that FCC inspectors used allow short ground wires connected to an elevated metal mast structure (the latter forming the ground). Later (post 2007 according to Ermi), they no longer allowed that. Did physical reality or the laws of physics change in 2007? No, but their interpretation of what a ground is did.
An r-f ground, by definition, cannot and does not provide useful radiation.
But a short "ground wire" attached to the top of an "elevated metal mast structure" is not connected directly to an r-f ground, because the entire length of that mast radiates.
The top of the mast may be nearly the same potential as the earth for the passage of direct current, but it has considerable impedance to r-f signals due to radiation from that mast.
This is not a matter of interpretation. Such characteristics and performance can be measured and proven.
You're not listening Rich, or not understanding, or just deliberately obfuscating.
Obviously there are multiple interpretations of what THE WORD GROUND IN THE PART 15 RULES is, because the FCC allowed a mast as a ground prior to 2007.
So it really doesn't matter what your interpretation of the word 'ground' in the rules is.
Nice try, though.
Barry Sallade wrote: Rich, you are the reason,your comments are negative towards part 15. Why are you even here????
My comments are not negative toward compliant Part 15 operators, in fact they are the opposite. They help in understanding the true performance of the hardware used by unlicensed operators. As such they can benefit those who want be compliant with Part 15.
Whether or not people actually comply with Part 15 doesn't matter to me. But ideally such a decision should be an informed decision, and not one based on lack of accurate information.
ArtisanRadio wrote: Obviously there are multiple interpretations of what THE WORD GROUND IN THE PART 15 RULES is, because the FCC allowed a mast as a ground prior to 2007.
There can be many interpretations, but only one valid definition.
"There can be many interpretations, but only one valid definition."
Is that your interpretation?
It is best that we leave this topic with what has been posted.
Neil