FCC Public Notice 14089, Many of you have seen this, some may have not. Read specifically what it says about AM. Also for others, please see what it says about restrictions. Hope this clears up some other posts.
See attached .pdf file
Thats Out of date,
1991,
new rules took away AM range restriction.
"Thats Out of date,
1991, new rules took away AM range restriction."
What the heck are you talking about?
BTW, Nothing from the FCC is out of date until they rescend it. This came from the FCC Website.
They did do a revision I'm just not sure when.
but that 1991 document is dated. since when is Part 15 am restricted to 200 feet?
since now. just look at the recent AM Busts. some one has apparently circulated a memo around to the field offices.
it seems that even though it is not a hard written rule they are going to try and enforce it as one using loop holes and creative interpretation of part 15 rules.
I think the 200 ft. distance is very obviously based upon a short wire, not a 10 ft. tuned/resonating antenna, regardless of whether or not it uses a loading coil or an RF network. That doesn't mean they can't use that as an expected standard to nail someone, but I don't think they actually do in practice because there are far more serious violations by higher power pirates taking up their time than a few puny Part 15 operators falling a bit out of comp-liance here and there.
If your "Part 15" station is clear at 5 miles, I'd say you're way out of compliance, and liable. But if the FCC really want to open up for community radio, they should allow 10 watts or so for a LPAM station license. Under the relaxed rules for Community Radio which are flowing through Congress with relative ease, there may someday be a chance for that, although there are currently no such sections for AM frequencies.
all they have to do is keep the 100mW DC input to Final RF Stage and allow whatever antenna configuration the operator chooses.
lets face the facts. a 1/4 wave over 120 1/4 wave radials is impracticable for 99.99% of part 15 operators.
they could open up a new class of license free low power AM and limit it to amateur radio operators of a general class or higher license.
basically 100mW DC input to final RF and no antenna restrictions.
limit operators to 5 Transmitters carrying the same programming in synchronization mode using a single frequency and 2 transmitter limit if using alternating frequencies.
this will limit band hogs and keep commercial b,casters from grabbing everything in sight.
do not allow commercial operations, but allow PSA's from local community organizations and national AD-Council Sponsored PSA's.
They could also expand FM into the TV ch 5-6 Bands and in the process clear up a small hand full of frequencies for a 1 Watt ERP Class FM and limit the number to 2 Transmitters and the above restrictions.
but we can all wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which comes first.
I tried the "wish in one hand and crap in the other" theory. Please don't try it. I sit here with a dumbfounded look on my face as my right hand types and my left is holding a handful of crap..... 🙂
Don't worry, just a disgusting joke. I just thought I'd post something after my long period of silence.
Travis
lets face the facts. a 1/4 wave over 120 1/4 wave radials is impracticable for 99.99% of part 15 operators.
I said:
1/4 radials are need ONLY for 1/4 wave antennas. The radials need only to be as ling as the system is high, since you are operating in the near field. 120 is over-kill. You get diminishing results over 64. 32 is a good number for Part 15 operators. So for a transmitter mounted at 20 feet, you need 640 feet of wire. A transmitter mounted at 10 feet, you need 320 feet. You get the idea.
Hope this helps.
i have heard lots of part 15 am stations and my own experiments and have not been impressed.
but it goes to show that part 15 is what it is and even under the best conditions our small stations can't hold a candle to 1kW blowtorch as far as range and listeners.
"but it goes to show that part 15 is what it is and even under the best conditions our small stations can't hold a candle to 1kW blowtorch as far as range and listeners."
I Said:
So we should lay on the ground and quit breathing? LOL!!
no. i am saying these are reason for the fcc to eliminate the ground restriction.
even under the best conditions a 100mW input am transmitter on medium wave have no real world interference possibility regardless of how long the ground lead is.
iboc has more interference potential then a 100mW part 15 am running a long ground lead.