The FCC's renderings are pedantic and too ambiguous, which often lend themselves to giving one the impression that they are "fishing" for reasons to invoke their powers to end a Part 15'ers operations whenever the issue should arise. That said, my station will operate withing the guidelines it (the FCC) has established for those seeking to broadcast to an underserved community.
Irony to this all is I have found that the rules governing Part 15's are actually less invasive as the FM/AM radio station I worked at for 13 years as GM and now co-own. I've personally spoken to inspectors over incidents that involved on air cursing at my station. In it past the station was known for on-air vulgarity and nonsense. It has never been fined for it, only warned. The station before I took it over had been warned over 43 times since 1997. It had received numerous citizen complaints, bomb threats and more and has never faced any 'real' threats from the FCC other than letters to remind its operators of the rules against such on-air foolishness.
Once or twice there has been an issue with our old Orban 9000 AM transmitter. It was arcing and the signal at times would drift. The Canadian clear channel station we were 'stepping on' complained about it. The FCC called us, asked us to fix the problem. We never did. Point of it all? My experiment, Part 15 station, will be just that. I fully anticipate that it will become the successful model, ala some others I've researched, for my plans to operate them respectfully and in compliance elsewhere throughout the continental U.S.
The lessons learned from this Part 15 flagship will serve as our barometer. We will act and adjust on the fly accordingly.
If they come knocking, we will simply comply and fire her again. Simple really.
