The door is opening on doing more with video and Part 15. A section has been added to the Part 15 Rules, 15.701 to .717, and this is how it starts:
§ 15.701 Scope.
This subpart sets forth the regulations for unlicensed Television Band Devices (TVBDs). These devices are unlicensed intentional radiators that operate on available TV channels in the broadcast television frequency bands at 54-60 MHz (TV channel 2), 76-88 MHz (TV channels 5 and 6), 174-216 MHz (TV channels 7-13), 470-608 MHz (TV channels 14-36) and 614-698 MHz (TV channels 38-51).
Also, some of our low power stations already do video cams on their websites, typically showing their studio during live programs.
For my station, I have been looking for an excuse to open a video cam in conjunction with radio programming, but do not wish to become a TV on-air personality, and have long wondered what else we might show. Today I learned the answer. While visiting webcams looking for ideas, I came upon a clear camera view of an attractive shortwave radio, the audio channel dedicated to the international station tuned in on the digital LCD. A well lit S-meter showed signal strength.
Now plans are underway to open a streaming webcam showing a radio tuned to one of our KDX frequencies! A whole new audience opens up!
What are you doing with Part 15 TV?
You can demonstrate how to buil a SSTran 5000 ofcourse in 15 parts. Or how to build your part 15 Antenna. Or how to build your mic., and so on.
Rob Veld, I like your ideas. What you are saying is, don't just show a radio, but show a lot of technical equipment!
Very much fun.
Of course TV and video bring to mind the sense of SIGHT.
But in fact, the most important part of any TV or videocast is the, what?
SOUND!
Ya. I mean, could you watch a movie or TV show with no sound?
Therefore, we are tricked into thinking SIGHT, when in fact, the main thing is SOUND. The picture is merely a follower, sort of enhancing the sound track.
Well, I was just outside carrying my trash cans to the rear of the building so the city tyrants don't ticket me for "cans in sight after 8 PM," and I noticed all the Christmas lights up and down the street.
One thing for sure, now a camera is about as easy as a microphone, therefore we can place cameras just about anywhere and transmit PICTURES to accompany our SOUND.
Don't react right away. Think about it, then come back.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrow-bandwidth_television can be done on almost any part 15 frequency including AM band you can squeeze a signal inside of 10khz
Yeah, but you also need a TV receiver for those frequencies. What better than the existing analog TV frequencies?
I always tend to agree with Artisan.
For the main thing, vision and sound ARE analog!
I think doing away with analog TV and AM/FM radio is a meaningless exercize.
Human beings exist in an analog world.
After wading through those regulations, here are what I believe to be the salient points.
You are allowed up to 1 watt of power per 6 Mhz of bandwidth for a fixed station, with a 6dbi antenna. If your antenna has more gain, you must reduce the power of your signal.
You are allowed up to 100 milliwatts of power for a portable/personal station.
I believe the basic difference between the 2 types is the capability of a fixed station to determine it's geographic location to within 50 meters, and have access to a database of available TV stations from that location (so it won't generate interference).
Next, I'm going to see if Canada has equivalent rules.
I may be wrong, but it appears that the rules for unlicensed TV in the U.S. are part of a larger initiative to use the 'white space' amongst the unused TV channels. Other devices will also be permitted. It also appears that they need to be certified.
Canada is lagging behind, and while I found several discussion papers and a framework on the use of the white space, I could find no hard and fast rules.
here is the issue with that rule part. those regulations are geared for spread spectrum two way data communication not analog NTSC mode.