What Do We Deserve?

I think that your statement 'some of us deserve more power' hits the nail on the head.

NOT everyone.  Why, you may ask, do I think that way?

Well (as you probably guessed), I'll tell you.  Just look at what happens now.  There are those that don't even know how to install and run a Part 15 broadcast station with the rules of today.  Either through ignorance or neglect. I shudder to think what would happen if these individuals were allowed to operate with more power.  Do they deserve it?

Then there are those that openly flaunt the rules, running with more power than they should (sometimes a lot more).  If you can't follow the existing rules, what will happen if they are loosened?  Will they incrementally use even more power?  Power is like an aphrodasiac - some always want more.  Do they deserve it?

And then there are is the whole copyright licensing issue.  More power equals more potential listeners.  I don't buy the argument that radio stations should not pay artists for the use of their work - if it didn't exist, then neither would the radio station.  Sure, both sides help each other, and that should translate into some sort of a break in the licensing fees, but it shouldn't be free.  While the issue of power doesn't directly relate to copyright licensing, I've found that if you break any sort of rule, the tendency is there to do it elsewhere.  So, do people who deliberately break the licensing rules now deserve more power?

It's been suggested that somehow 'smart' transmitters will somehow alleviate all the problems with increased power.  To that I say, poppycock (I'm feeling frisky this morning).

It may help the woefully ignorant somewhat, but why should these people even be turning transmitters on?  It won't stop people from breaking other rules, such as buying more powerful transmitters.  And having been working in the industry (the computer industry) that creates these smart devices for many years, I can say that they're only as smart as the people programming them (who are often not - smart that is).  Nothing is ever perfect - there are always functionality issues, bugs and quirks.  Everything can be bypassed and worked around.  There's a big scandal with the new Vancouver transist payment system this week - it's been 'discovered' that people can reprogram their 'smart' cards using an easily available smartphone app so that they can ride free.  And this app and security hole has been around for years.  So much for 'smart'.

What am I leading up to?  Well, if some of us want more power, I think that it has to be earned, and some good faith on the part of the broadcasters who want this increased power put forward.

This new service should be licensed, and regulated to some extent.  There needs to be some demonstration that people who get this license understand what they are doing and the consequences if things go wrong.  Much like amateur radio licensing (and they can use up to 1000 watts in the shortwave spectrum).

In other words, everyone needs to prove that they deserve more power before they get it.

I deserve more power because I am handsome.

I deserve more power because I can hold my beer.

I deserve more power because I have good ideas.

I deserve more power because I have great taste in music.

I deserve more power because I am popular with women.

I deserve more power because I have good credit.

I deserve more power because I happen to have a 10 Watt transmitter.

Are those enough reasons for you?

Artisan, how do you prove you are ready for more power? Just by obeying the current rule?

I agree there should be an affordable licence of some kind but there will be the people who will just do it and not pay. The licence should verify you know what you are doing. Much like operating a motor boat. But an extra 200uV/M@30 meters?...still not THAT much more. Does this much extra need all this red tape? I think New Zealand is the best model.

There could be some system that if you pay a SMALL fee and get a permit showing you know what you are doing you can get a little more power than the current free amount of power. So for hobby radio it wouldn't be the same for all.

Mark

New Zealand is a tiny island nation with nowhere near the amount of RF congestion we have in the US. Rules that work in one place might not work in another. However, I do agree FM could be very much relaxed without much problem.

For any station to even be considered for a power upgrade they need to prove they are of some benifit to the community as a whole. (Surprise surprise, just like full powers!)

In my case, I would never approve a power increase for my station. Mine is a hobby, even with pro-broadcast gear from head to toe. My station doesn't serve the community, nor do I have the time to make it as such. Though the music is to my liking, plays no ads, and covers the entire town and then some. More power would be awesome, but I don't see any reason why I NEED more power.

(FWIW, playing your favorite music that no one else plays is NOT a good reason for a power increase)

By saying, "In my case, I would never approve a power increase for my station"

RetroRadio shows humble contentednous which would, in the Catholic Church, earn him sainthood.

Mother Theresa earned a worldwide reputation for spending her whole life keeping the poor sick people in her ramshackle hospital from receiving any benefit from the multiple-millions of dollars stashed away in her hospital's endowment, certainly never using any of the money on herself. Now the Pope is making her a saint.

Call it ironic, but if you don't want it, you deserve it.

Mighty1650 said ,"For any station to even be considered for a power upgrade they need to prove they are of some benifit to the community as a whole."

Exactly.  And also prove that you know what you're doing.

Even in New Zealand, low power stations are licensed (although it's free).  They have to undergo an inspection before being put on the air.  And while these low power broadcasters are self-regulating to a large degree (confirmed by our resident broadcaster there, who is also a member of the ALPB), they can still be inspected in the event of a complaint or problem.  Because of all these factors, the regulatory body there knows where stations are going to be installed, and mitigate against interference to some degree.  With Part 15 as it is today, the FCC just can't do that, and that's also why I believe Part 15 (i.e., unregulated) broadcasting can only get a minimal, if any, power increase.

1 watt on FM may not work for North America, but surely something can, on either AM or FM.  It's the framework to put the licensing and regulation in place that will be the most difficult to achieve (and convince the power that be of).

 Glory Glory Hallelujah we're all going back to the Glory Glory Hallelujah we're all going back to the horse-and-buggy days after all we should prove that we deserve to drive cars you know people will break the rules and go over the speed limit so we all need to go back to the horse-and-buggy days. What a bunch of crap.

 1 watt on FM in rural areas won't hurt a thing. However in a more dense City can do more damage.

 I don't think that these higher power FM transmitters need to be sold at your local Dollar General or Walmart however.

Let's have a sense of realism here.

This whole post is aimed at ArtisanRadio because it is easirer than quoting all your posts.

My man, I CAN NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE!!!

Just about every word you posted so far made perfect sense to me and I agree with you 100%

I did try to find a reason to disagree with you, but just could not find any words that I could disagree with.

Bruce.

Thelegacy said "What a bunch of crap."

It's pretty easy to say that.  So why don't you show us why?  You say that 1 watt in rural areas won't hurt anybody or anything.  Again, I'd like to see you demonstrate why you think that is true.

Never mind that you're missing all the points I was trying to make.  If you don't license low power stations, and regulate them, then there's no way for the FCC to know if there is interference potential.  Do you honestly believe that the FCC and the NAB and other interested parties are going to let technology that can easily be hacked or malfunctioning (as in smart transmitters) or an unlicensed operator determine that?  Even in New Zealand, which is often cited as a reference for the 1 watt idea, that doesn't happen.  In amateur radio, operators are licensed, and to obtain that license they have to write a technical exam to determine that they understand such little things as propogation and interference.  Plus, amateurs generally only can interfere with other amateurs (not quite true in the 40 meter shortwave band, but close enough), whereas it's the livelihood of businesses and jobs on the line on the AM and FM bands (or, at least, that's how it's going to be viewed).

Finally, all you have to do is to look at the Part 15 Facebook page to see how many broadcasters blatantly break the rules.  That certainly isn't an incentive for the FCC to give the same broadcasters more power and responsibility.

ArtisanRadio

You've made nothing but valid points in all your posts, specially the ones in this thread.

I just wanted to let you know you do have people out here, who see your points as being sensible and true. Sadly, there are many out there who attempt to operate a part 15 station, but intentionally turn up the power to exceed what we already have and will do the same when the rules are relaxed to allow more range. Someone won't be happy with that either.

Great job though on the valid points you've made in this thread.

Bruce.

 look I honestly can agree with some of what Artisan radio says. However there are some points that I need to make.

First off how do you think LPFM became in existence? It's because groups like Prometheus blatantly broke the rules and then made a petition they also said they were going to continue doing what they do jail time as a risk or not. Now don't get me wrong I'm not telling everybody to go out there and raise havoc. I'm just showing a point here that there are some people who got the laws changed and they didn't necessarily follow every letter to the rule.

Next the issue of The Smart Card transmitter and the fact that it could possibly be hacked. Well even those Belkin transmitters you buy at your local Walmart can be hacked and made to transmit one mile.

[Mod Edit  Please do not post details on how to modify a transmitter for possible non-compliant operation.  Mentioning it can be done is OK but not how or links to how.]

Ban you have a transmitter that can go one mile.   want to make that very same want to make that very same transmitter go 2 or three miles?

[Mod Edit See above]

Now how about the C. Crane?   you can do plenty of things  with that transmitter to make it transmit further. Even if you don't know Electronics

[Mod Edit See Above]

Anything can be hacked. But by at least trying to prevent some dimwits from Wrecking Havoc does help somewhat.

The Simple Solution is to have the hobbyist fill out an application and based on where they live at the FCC will grant the proper power levels that they know won't cause interference. It really is the best way to go and if there is a small fee be at ten or twenty bucks so be it it would be worth it. This way you don't have problem children causing issues with their little FM transmitters. Same can go 4 a.m. as well.

Some people in fact most people as I have done surveys on pirate websites. Most folks are satisfied with one to two miles in range. Even the Pirates. Ask a lot of them they will tell you all about one to two miles would be great. So what does that tell you it says that most happy radio users want A1 to 2 mile range. I don't believe that everybody will blatantly go above the higher power once that rule is made. Most folks can agree that 1 to 2 miles is plenty of range for a hobby broadcaster.

I sure as hell am speechless now.

Bruce.

The range that TheLegacy is asking for just slightly less than a 100 watt LPFM. (3-5 miles) It took me years and luck to secure our spot on 92.7.

 if you have a 100 watt FM transmitter and you're only getting out 3 to 4 miles I bet you're using Radio Shack coax and half of your signal if not 75% of your signal is leaking out the coax. It wouldn't surprise me I've seen some crazy crap installs with some of these transmitters. What you need is quad shielded coax and a very solid connector. With 100 Watts you should have no problem going 20 to 30 miles. Again I have demonstrated how 10 watts can cover a good 10 to 15 miles with no issue at all. Also what type of antenna is that transmitter using?   what is being used to receive what is being used to receive the signal? If you're using a Kmart FM radio it's no wonder.