After several minutes of insistence I got the Google AI to find me some part 15 stations. Eventually it found six, no great feat, but then again, I didn't expect it to find any,
Show me some home pages/websites of individual Part 15 stations in operation, for example Radio Sausalito
14 sites
Individual Part 15 radio stations typically do not have official home pages or websites, unlike licensed broadcasters. Because Part 15 stations operate under strict power limits (usually a broadcast radius of only 200 feet), their primary audience is a very localized, "neighborhood" group.
For this reason, most of these hobbyist stations rely on alternative methods for promotion and listener interaction.
How stations use websites and social media
Some Part 15 stations do maintain a web presence, such as the example you provided, Radio Sausalito. They use their websites not to stream the live broadcast, but to provide information and engage with their listeners in other ways: ... ...
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The good news is that there are alternative ways to find information and examples of Part 15 stations. Many hobbyist operators share their projects on social media or forums.
Provide some examples of station websites discovered through such alternative resources
7 sites
Finding specific Part 15 station websites is challenging due to their low-profile nature and lack of an official directory. However, by searching in the right communities, it's possible to find some examples.
Examples of individual Part 15 station websites and web presences are mostly found within community-based platforms like social media groups, streaming sites, and hobbyist forums. These are the best places to look since there is no official directory of these low-power stations.
Here are some examples discovered through searching social media and hobbyist platforms:
- Syncopated Radio Network (Albany, Oregon): A post on the HF Underground forums mentions this station. While the forum post itself does not provide a direct link, it is a resource where hobbyists can exchange information about their stations.
Examples from Facebook
- WTLE 95.9 FM Leesburg FL: This Florida station maintains a web presence via its website, yesweplayit.com. A May 2024 post on the "Part 15 Broadcasters of Facebook" group promotes the station, describing it as playing "60's, 70's, 80's, 90's" music.
- NightRide USA: A member of the "Part 15 Broadcasters" group mentioned this station in a July 2024 post, describing it as an "eight year old radio experience". While no specific website is linked in the post, this is a lead that could be used for further searching.
- Smalltown Radio & TV: This Facebook group post from March 2024 features a member showing off their Part 15 and streaming setup, including photos of their studio, transmitter, and workbench. While not a station website, it is a detailed example of a hobbyist setup.
Examples from Mixlr
Mixlr is an online platform for live audio streaming that is frequently used by Part 15 broadcasters to extend their reach beyond their limited broadcast range.
- QYX-1620-AM (Niles, Michigan): This station is promoted on Mixlr as providing an online stream in addition to its Part 15 AM broadcast. Its web presence is primarily its Mixlr channel at QYX-1620-AM.MIXLR.COM. Also promoted on the "Part 15 Broadcasters of Facebook" group.
- Truthcast 1640 AM TLH (Tallahassee, Florida): Similar to QYX, this station uses Mixlr for its online stream. It was advertised on the Part 15 Broadcasters Facebook group as broadcasting in AM stereo.
Examples from Groups.io. Groups.io is a platform for email-based community groups and is used by many radio hobbyists.
- WSWO-LP 97.3 (Dayton, Ohio): While this is an LPFM station, not Part 15, a May 2024 post on the fmtuners.groups.io listserv discusses its programming, which focuses on music from the 50s through the 70s. Looking at this station can provide insights into how small, local broadcasters operate.
- WALL-LP 103.9 MHz (Camp Evans, New Jersey): This is another LPFM station mentioned on a Groups.io mailing list. The post details how the station was created by a makerspace and plans to produce "hyper-local" content.