like most everyone's....too restrictive!
Canada is a little better off with FM especially but still...
Also here in Canada we can't use any transmitter unless it has the Industry Canada(IC)certificate on the product.
If I got a Spitfire or SStran AM transmitter, for example, that is operating meeting all the rules I technically can't use it because it doesn't have the label bearing the certificate. That's nuts! And it is so expensive to get it approved you are prevented financially to do this unless you can pay the lab fees.
Same with a Ramsey or other FM transmitter...same deal. Even the Broadcastvision is certified under RSS-210 which is not BETS-1 so if you are "broadcasting" instead of personal use(gray area) you have to get the BETS-1 Acceptance certificate........crazy.
The Procaster which is RSS-210 certified, according to Artisan, can't be used if you are "broadcasting"...so AM is out for the most part. Also BETS-1 says 250uV/M@30 meters...NOT 100mW and 10ft ground and antenna as the USA for AM.
So, I am on FM where we are better off then the USA, and with the only BETS-1 approved transmitter(Decade)which gets to the neighborhood around me and I have no worries. The Decade costs a lot but for the BETS certification, quality, and with the intent it will last a long time, and hand built with discrete components, the price is maybe justified. And as a post stated you need to put some money into it to do it right and get on the air with a "professional" sounding station. You can't be broke!
I think the ground lead rule for AM is STUPID!! If AM is dying why not give Hobby Broadcasters a place on the band. So by getting rid of the ground rules we can broadcast 6 miles just like WTGR.
Even better the Antenna rule too. Imagine 20 Ft antenna and 20 Ft ground lead.
FM should be like NZ and we get 87.1-87.9 Mhz 1 Watt outdoors with a high gain antenna and 7 Watts indoors with a Telescoping antenna. The Transmitter checks a database and scans for a clear frequency and adjacent channels above and below your intended frequency. the receiver has a sensitivity of 0.9 microvolts.
Broadcasting on an even frequency like 87.8 would be illegal. This allows for self policing leaving less headache. The transmitter shall be internet and GPS equipped and register itself. The FCC gives a call and every hour you ID. The FCC is paid by every hobby transmitter sold.
I think the ground lead rule for AM is STUPID!! If AM is dying why not give Hobby Broadcasters a place on the band. So by getting rid of the ground rules we can broadcast 6 miles just like WTGR. Even better the Antenna rule too. Imagine 20 Ft antenna and 20 Ft ground lead. ...
Note that FCC §15.219(b) does not separate the length of the "antenna" from the length of the "ground lead."
Rather it limits the TOTAL length of the "antenna," "feedline," and "ground lead" connected together to 3 meters.
Exactly. Asinine. Hate it.
Doug
Than why not FIGHT for CHANGE instead of Simply complaining about it?
YOU fight for change. I did that in the 60's and 70's. I'm tired of the fight. I'd rather just sit back and broadcast now. I ain't worried about ground lead rules. OH! His GROUND lead is TOO LONG!!! OMG! He's BROAD casting! Bust him!! Ha! Go ahead. What a joke.
I understand the other rules. FM COULD be a problem, as stated before. OK, I get that. But leave my &*$!-ing GROUND lead alone! If I get a visit, I'll just stop broadcasting. Simple.
Be careful what you wish for...CHANGE might be more than you bargain for! 🙂
Doug
On a interesting note about ground leads, the rule was largely overlooked before 2009/2010. The "walls" came crashing down when KENC was shuttered in early 2010. Before that point long ground leads were frequently ignored and passed by inspectors, Hamilton scrambled at the time to create an RF choke for the ground but was ultimatly denied by the FCC.
http://www.part15.us/forum/part15-forums/general-discussion/fcc-issues-rare-ground-lead-nouo?page=3
I'm in full agreement that the ground lead (antenna length) rule is a bit ridiculous and believe at bare minimum it should go back to being overlooked.
Some would argue it was certain online individuals that brought the ground issue to the front burner. Until around 2009 or so we rarely even talked about ground length, it was after discussions started being brought up and heated that the KENC scenario played out.
One of the earliest discussions revolving around long leads that I could find is from 2007 when a Part 15 operator was cited for having a 30 meter ground lead.
http://www.part15.us/forum/part15-forums/regulations-law/part-15-am-operator-recently-cited-fcc
Keith Hamilton had some pretty good insight at the time about the situation
That broke my heart. That whole travesty...I mean- really? I have no words to convey my disgust at the FCC. Makes me wanna buy this:
...and protest like hell! I ain't got $500. Plus, what good does it do? They picked on a guy that was doing NO harm! He was actually doing a service...but that is a moot point.
Eff the damn Ground Lead inanity! If I need to run a 10 - 15 foot wire out my window to a ground rod, that is what I'm gonna do! If I get a visit, I'll just shut down. My little flea power threatens the FCC? Ha! They don't have the time or money to chase someone that is causing no interference issues! At 1/10th of a watt? Gimme a break.
I still think there is more to the KENC Story than what we've been told. There is a serious snake in the grass here. Someone who wanted Ken SHUT DOWN. And...they did. Sad.
Doug
Good for him! 🙂
You GO, guy!
Doug
> I still think there is more to the KENC Story than what we've been told. There is a serious snake in the grass here. Someone who wanted Ken SHUT DOWN. And...they did. Sad.
_______
Note that the FCC would have no legal basis to "shut down" an unlicensed AM transmit system if it actually complied EITHER with FCC §15.209 or FCC §15.219.
Wow Dugger, 100 watts, that's smokin' high power! You'd need a big loading coil on that, pro level power. I like the built-in power and SWR meter.
My opinion is that no part fifteen station is immune from being cited or asked to go off the air, if another station complains. It's the way authorities work in a lot of cases, they have lots of things to do in their workdays, but if attention is brough on something, then they focus and it takes their time. They'd have to think if there would be another complaint if they don't do something, within the rules or not.
CB radio enforcement always worked that way, and another thing is publicity, like if the news does a story about your station. You might as well do one last broadcast and hit the door.
Of course, things are different in every circumstance possible, and there's no magic formula, you have to decide and get right in your own mind about what to do with your station.
"Note that the FCC would have no legal basis to "shut down" an unlicensed AM transmit system if it actually complied EITHER with FCC §15.209 or FCC §15.219."
It's my humble opinion the FCC has NO right to "shut down" an unlicensed AM transmit system that causes NO interference and keeps a civil tone i.e. no swearing, offensive talk, etc. A long ground lead is case in point. Or an 11 foot stick. or 500 mw...etc.
When I used to drive, I'd typically do ten over on the turnpike. Never once got stopped. But then, I may have just been lucky. Point is, there is no black & white. Bottom line is, no one complained. I did 5 straight years as a 100 watt FM Pirate in Florida. Don't try that today!! LOL!
But ya know, after a couple of years I was getting bored with it! The thrill wore off. I wasn't as "naughty" as I thought I was! That's why I'd never buy a 10, 20 or 100 watt AM transmitter! I mean, I only do SO much on my micro AM now! It starts to feel like work again. Hence the jukebox...
But as I said, if the FCC has the money to actually travel up here and say, "No, no...", fine. Someone complained. Someone was actually threatened by my little squeaker! ROFLMFAO!
Doug
any station threatened by a 100mW AM Band station with a 3m antenna, even one with a 50ft ground lead, has got way bigger problems than the little flea power station they are complaining about. a little 100mW AM band station even if it is running a longer ground lead can't possibly take enough listeners away from a licnesed station to make any kind of ratings difference for the licnesed station. there is just not enough listeners, even in an urban area, within the flea power am city grade contour to take anything substantial from a licnesed flamethrower unless that station is so poorly run and grasping at straws to begin with.
Plus I think there are just plain prix out there that would turn in a station, because they ain't followin' the freakin' rules! Rules Enforcers. "You follow the damn rules or I'll SMACK ya!" I absolutely detest people like that.
Armchair cops. Nothin' better to do than stick their damn nose and grubby fingers into things that do not concern them. I know one or two radio engineers like that. No matter how good a friend he might be, he would turn you in and testify against you without fail. Part 15 does not need those fecal-heads!
Myself, if you are not causing interference or starting a riot, or filling the airwaves with obscenities, plus, if you live out in BumFlag Egypt out in the boonies where there is no other radio, go for it. Have fun. Knock your socks off.
"But it's illegal!!" Good grief. So what! So you get a warning! That's IF they even NOTICE you! Way out in no man's land? Some may disagree. People have paid MILLIONS to start a full power radio station. They follow the law to a T. I don't imagine they look to kindly on rebels like me, who (in the past) freely broadcast 100 watts on a $600 FM transmitter! LOL!
For the most part, Part 15 is acceptable to most. At least AM is. How many of us are there? Those of us who feel we need to share with the masses? I don't have a lot to say...but I have a TON of music to share! Ham and CB are useless to me. I have a cell phone if I wanna talk.
Doug
"Agent inquiries about installations come up from time to time but this has been an odd one. One thing that may explain partly what is going on is that I think there was a FCC “memo” that went around to agents some time ago saying that Part 15 units on towers “somehow” were getting “incredible” ranges.
The dangerous thing here is that the agent is talking like he wants Ken to comply with 15.209, this basically requires a test lab. If Ken had a TH or procaster he would not even be able to comply since these units have auto power adjust.
I spoke to the agent on Tuesday about this. It is important to note it seems the agent did not seem to have a problem with Ken’s other two installations.
Someone on the board said to make friends with local Broadcasters, Amen, to that, because that is where objection probably will come from.
I agree with the comment about the choke on the ground, I only suggested it trying to appease a FCC agent at the time, Lighting safety should be the first priority.
Another thing I wanted to say, things change from time to time, just because FCC agents were telling me such and such was OK ten years ago, that doesn’t mean that is the current thinking, I try to keep my website legal section updated.
So when you hear Hamilton said this and that about a massive ground or long wire radiation, this or that, keep in mind that I rarely post these days, and you are most likely are hearing about something that is a morph of something I might of said years ago, when the FCC thinking was different. Again see the website for current info, the FCC checks out my website regularly and believe me, I hear about it if they don’t like something."