Artisan Radio is located in Canada, and we run under the Canadian BETS-1 rules for unlicensed broadcasting (also known as Low Power Announce Systems).
We currently broadcast in the Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada area on FM 99.7 using a BETS-certified Decade MS-100 transmitter. We also stream over the Internet.
Canada has two sets of unlicensed over-the-air transmitting rules - one for broadcasting (BETS) and one for non broadcasting (RSS210). Interestingly enough, the BETS rules allow for much more field strength (100uv/m @ 30 meters) than do the RSS210 rules, which are pretty much identical to FCC Part 15.239 (250uv/m @ 3 meters).
Our target listening area is the Spirit Square area of Pitt Meadows, which houses the Municipality, the Recreation Centre, RCMP headquarters, an Ambulance Centre, various daycares and a Seniors Centre, as well as surrounding environs. While our transmitter is installed fairly high, there are numerous concrete obstructions which restrict our effective range greatly, particularly in certain directions.
Our programming is varied, and mainly what I would call oldies. Billboard Hits (and misses) from the 1950s to the 1970s. Vintage Jazz from the 1920s to the 1950s. New Wave Music from the 1980s (and 1970s). All are voice tracked.
We also have several DJ-hosted shows, a few created internally, some externally. These include Wilson Beach Radio (Beach Boys-related), Teenage Dreams (teenage-oriented music from the 1950s & 1960s), Beautiful Sounds (easy listening from the 1960s and 1970s), Surfin' The New Wave (new wave), Rock Around the Rockpile (Rockpile-related) and Tim Edwards' Oompah Hour (polka).
We even play a bit of spoken word, currently Sherlock Holmes OTR and the VOA news.
Artisan Radio is licensed by SOCAN (the music licensing body here in Canada).
I hope that gives a relatively clear picture of what we are all about.
Over in another thread, the term 'pretend broadcaster' was used to describe a station operating under Part 15 rules.
I can understand what the poster means - I feel that way myself quite often.
It has nothing to do with the engineered quality of your station's signal, or the program content (which is certainly not the standard, music jukebox format in my case). It really relates to the range of the signal, and therefore the audience the radio station can attract.
If I count the number of listeners to the over-the-air signal of Artisan Radio, I think it would probably be close to 1 (i.e., me). I could promote the station locally, but the range is such that you'll still probably need a car radio to hear it (and even then, it can be iffy). Most of the surrounding buildings are concrete (can you say metal rebar?) that are pretty effective obstructions. If I were in a strictly residential area with low height wooden structures (i.e., houses), I'd get much better range and there would be the possibility of someone chancing onto the signal, even receiving it inside.
Streaming listeners are a little better. We operate our own server using IceCast; I found out very quickly that the IceCast Directory user count is not accurate at all. You really have to go to your own logs.
I don't track the number of listeners on the stream every day; when I have, some days it's peaked at 5 (potentially more, but I haven't seen it yet).
Maybe someday I'll apply for an RSS123 license that would allow me to cover, over-the-air, the nearby 300x300 meter public area with a strong signal. Instead of 100uv/m at 30 meters, RSS123 allows you to have as strong a signal as you can make it within a strictly delineated area - your field strength at the area's boundaries should be no more than 100uv/m.
In the meantime, no matter what I call the station, I'll attempt to make the signal, and the programming, the best it can be. Within the rules, of course.
With FM I know in my area with normal brick houses over a wooden frame and insulation like a typical residential area if I get it outside I know that inside it's the same. AM is iffy as other things come into it like the noise interference and less ability to penetrate into houses. My two known regular listeners(and who knows who else) which are 3 and 4 houses down from me got it fine whether I was on AM or FM. That's after I gave them a better receiver! But with AM no matter how good range is in the day time and how good the radio is as soon as it gets to dusk the skywave kills it and my listeners listen in the evening and from November to April it's night time most of the time. That's why last Fall I went back to FM with the Decade as reception is the same day or night and reception inside a house will be the same as outside. It's also easier to get a listener or two on FM and harder to get someone to listen on AM. Yes with the Procaster and a good receiver the range is better than BETS-1 but only in the day and outside. Then the broadcasting thing comes into it. I like to be able to make it known I am there and with BETS I have no worries. I love AM as I grew up with it and my format is what you listened to growing up in the 50s 60s and 70s on AM like CHUM or other local hit parade station, and my slogan was "making AM radio great again" but I also want listeners and FM is much better for that, In Canada at least.