hi everyone , i just found this site once again after many years.recently i was asked by a older man to help him set up a station.looking around i found part 15 but i don't completely understand what part 15 is. i need to start a radio station on the FM band. the station is going to be in the Spanish language and they want to be able to broadcast music and talk shows as well as advertise local community events and local businesses.this station is going to be located in new jersey.right now they broadcast on a frequency that i don't know if its open or not but they are broadcasting and the station can be heard i would say 10 blocks away from its location.
i need to know :
- what i need to start broadcasting legally on part 15 ?
- is it possible to have a radius of 3 miles coverage on part 15 ?
- are there any legal fees or anything we should know on how to get this running as soon as possible.
- can i buy the equipment already set up so all i have to do is hook it up ?
i don't understand much when it comes to the technical stuff so if there is such thing as part 15 for dummies ! i want in.
Great to see another Part 15 endeavor about to take flight.
But I should caution you that currently with a 10 block coverage area, the current transmitter being uses is obviously exceeding the signal strength limit for FM band license free broadcasting.
The specification calls for 250uV at 3 meters from the antenna. This would equal to about a block, maybe two at most in clear coverage, though some would say that cannot go beyond 200 feet, which is a fantasy unless your antenna happens to be inside a test chamber surrounded by RF absorbing materials.
In the real world environment, that 250uV signal could give you much further results than the bull horned 200 feet.
But the legal limit of signal coming off that antenna cannot exceed 250uV at 3 meters from it.
The way to extend FM license free broadcasting coverage can be done by one of two methods.
Set up an array of FM repeater units each spaced so that they provide uniform coverage and each unit only puts out 250uV at 3 meters. Each repeater can be fed by a master transmitter feeding a coax which feeds each repeater, or each repeater contains a receiver picking up the previous repeater's frequency and then transmit on another.
Or each repeater can be a transmitter all by itself and fed audio via the internet or Part 15 wi-fi.
A third option would be to move the whole works over to the AM band, where the range with just one transmitter and antenna setup can provide a much larger coverage area, depending upon frequency of operation and quality of antenna system. The limits for license free AM is no greater power than 100 mW and an antenna that cannot exceed 3 meters in length, and that includes feed line and ground lead.
If you review the information in the reference library linked on the menu to the top left of this site, there is further details regarding both AM and FM license free broadcasting.
And a huge pool of members here ready to help you as well!
RFB
feed a network of solar powered p15 fm or am repeaters using 13.56 mhz master transmitter or as mentioned earlier license free FHSS or wifi on microwave bands for audio and sync signal distribution.
here is an oldie from back in the 90's...
http://home.comcast.net/~filebay1/simple/maxnet.html
not many will remember the maxnet repeater system
Find an FM transmitter that is FCC Certified. That means there is a certification message printed right on the transmitter.
C.Crane Company makes one, or Wholehouse 2.0, and there are others.
And the big trick, which got mentioned on this site the other day, is to get the antenna up as high in the air as possible, maybe on top of a tall building.
You probably will need some specialized engineering help to do it safely and with success. Maybe call the engineer at the local public FM station. If he can't help, he may know someone who can.
CONFUSION: You say you need help starting a station, but you also say there is already a station on the air. That is confusing.
Part 15 is the section of the FCC Rules and Regulations that deals with unlicensed transmitters--everything from remote controls to wireless microphones. Part 15 stations take advantage of provisions that allow very, very low power operation in the standard AM & FM broadcast bands. Generally Part 15 FM stations max out at a range of 50 to 100 feet or so. In my opinion, to get 3 miles (or for that matter, 10 blocks) legally without a somewhat complicated system of separate linked transmitters would be difficult at best, and most likely impossible.
Since you indicate your technical expertise in this area is limited, an effort to set up a network of synchronized FM transmitters would probably be a bit of a challenge.
Now, while FM may be the preferred mode of operation for many, it IS possible to get an almost 3 mile radius using AM. Reception will not be strong within buildings, but car reception over that range can and does happen. Check out some of the advertisers here on this page and get a feel for what is available and what the equipment would cost, and how it would be installed. Yes, there are "turnkey" transmitters that don't require a great deal of set up, but even they will need a small amount of technical ability to get them to run at their best.
You could also consider running both AM and FM transmitters (plus Internet streaming for that matter) to get the most "bang for the buck".
In addition to the transmitter, for live broadcasting you will need an audio mixer, microphones, audio playback sources such as CD players and a computer. Investigate some form of radio station automation software to handle playback of promos, commercials, station IDs, music, etc. If the station plans to air telephone calls, you will need some sort of telephone "hybrid"--a device that will allow phone audio to be played on the air. Ideally, you will also need some audio processing gear--either hardware or software based (requiring another computer)--so that audio levels can be properly controlled before they are sent to the transmitter.
If the station operators are currently on the air and covering the range you outline, they are likely operating outside of the law. Whether you choose to participate in this activity is up to you, but please weigh the possibility of any liability that YOU will have if you get involved and the station is shut down or fined by the FCC. If you operate legally within Part 15, there are no legal fees to get started, but if you operate illegally, you could face some real fees (like a $10,000 fine)!
While I know of no "Part 15 for Dummies", there's a wealth of information here and on other Part 15 related websites. Simply do a Google search for Part 15 radio stations, and I'll bet you'll find a bunch of info.
Good luck!
Yep and all that was well presented! 🙂
(reading that felt like I was sitting in an FCC field office hearing quotes from a field agent handbook!) 😀
Basically friend..the one asking for help, follow the rules, use good engineering practices and do not be afraid to experiment and try new things.
RFB
multiple linked neutral loaded carrier current am transmitters are a good idea too. just about everyone has an am radio that covers the low end of the am dial and this is where carrier current does best.