Before we all drop off to sleep from the endless littany of facts and documentation, I am only suggesting to begin thinking in a different direction than the solutions to technical problems already encountered and assumed to be solved. In short, part of the fun of Part 15 is to color out side of the lines, but inside the intent, if not the letter, of the regulations.
If it were not for folks, like the pioneers of radio who were considered dreamers, schemers and kooks, our beloved hobby or vocational interest probably wouldn't even exist. Why not try some of the ideas rolling around in our heads and see if they work or not. Not everything in life is learned from previously acculmulated knowledge. And some learned skills are best acquired by doing rather than reading it entirely off of a screen, in a white-paper or out of a book.
And, where a marketing claim may not be entirely trustworthy, mankind may not have invented and be using daily many of the household items in our lives without some salesmanship. Don't forget, our economy begins when someone sells something and another buys it. With out an economy of exchange, we would all very likely be grunting unintelligibly at each other.
Finally, I appreciate the thought and work people put into the written collection of the knowledge of man. But technical writing and teaching leaves little wiggle room for psychology, philosophy or sociology. The character of science requires it must prove something to justify itself. Otherwise it becomes an endless littany of thereoms. All of these sciences are still considered arts, why not radio. Without people and people science/art, radio would still be in the laboratory with its inventors. I say that experimentation is the beginning of freedom. And my experience tells me, across this world, freedom is still the number one comodity humans are willing to fight and die for. So, as much as it might irk some, go ahead and think outside the box, but inside the intent, if not the letter, of the rules and regulations. I have for nearly 50 years and I'm still here and a lot richer for it. It's called walking a road less traveled. Try it you'll like it.
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
http://www.rhemaradio.org
In short, part of the fun of Part 15 is to color out side of the lines, but inside the intent, if not the letter, of the regulations.
However this leaves the definition of the intent of Part 15 up to the operator.
The performance limits of Part 15 are defined by its rules, and physics -- both of which need to be understood to be correctly applied. Given the risks, it may be fun to stretch or ignore them, and certainly it is easier to operate that way.
Education and self-discipline are required here, as with most other worthwhile endeavors in life.
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Don't confuse discipline for responsibility. Responsibility requires the freedom to exercise it. Discipline requires the understanding of right and wrong. Balance is the key. Neither of these qualities requires testing; only exercising. The more exercised, the stronger the character of the individual becomes; and more capable of creativity and inspiration. Otherwise, the physical or earthly physics become very routine and frankly boring.
Enter the entertainer, the newscaster, the talk show host, the radio programmer and the Part 15 broadcaster. Part 15 broadcasters get what they want by understanding as many of the technical basics, as necessary and possible, to stay out of trouble and still build and maintain an audience. You know, just like "real" broadcasting.
And finally, the performance limits of FCC Rules change with demand and politcal pressure. Based in physics, but practiced by real people in a real world with a plethora of curiosities. (Rich- we agree.)
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
http://www.rhemaradio.org