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Only thing that bugs me is again lumping “pirate” and “unlicensed” together. They never seem to mention that the FCC Part 15 rules specifically authorize unlicensed broadcasting.
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/support-across-the-aisles-for-pirate-act
TIB
Total posts : 45366We can understand that these cheap Chinese transmitters often used by unlicensed Hobby Broadcasters who are overpowered for part 15 can cause harmonics and spurs as the FCC agents explained to me. The reason for this is the fact that these transmitters are using inferior designing and engineering to make them less costly.
However most Hobbyists if talked to about why this happens and why its important to use only certified and tested equipment often will cease using illegal transmitters and seek legal avenues for unlicensed broadcasting. Some of the blame is the lack of good and easily available Legal AM transmitters. One does a search on Amazon or Ebay and you can easily find the illegals, but not so much with the legal transmitters. Why is this? And not to mention that many AS I FELT if its all over Amazon and Ebay as well as many well known public sites it can’t be wrong or bad Yes I know it doesn’t make it legal however while traveling I’ve heard plenty of stations ran by teens in the larger cities.
If the FCC had a program that helps rehabilitate Hobby Broadcasters to do their broadcasts on AM with some Audio proof that it can sound “Listenable” especially for Audio Demanding Genres such as Album Rock, Classical music, Classic Country anything other than Rap and Top 40 which most listeners don’t care if the audio doesn’t have a frequency response above 3Khz many would go the legal route. Instead of trying to hammer everyone off the air incentives should also be given to AM Transmitter manufacturers to make transmitters that meet the audiophile standards like the 70s had.
Currently the Procaster and Rangemaster are the ONLY legal AM Transmitters an Album Rock station has a choice to use costing $800 on up. Broadcasters and organizations like the NAB need to stop trying to stomp out Hobby Broadcasting and figure how to better inform as well as help make it easier to be legal and NOT cause spurious emotions. When it comes down to it Hobby Broadcasters are not bad people, we’re just trying to even the playing field to the public. Some of us disabled folks do this as a service to others to enjoy not as a means to be a public nuisance or attempt to ruin Radio.
This bill needs to mention part 15 operators and what they do to help the small communities. Many times in Deltaville, VA I’ve broadcast the severe weather for this area not currently covered by Radio stations. TV Yes and ONLY if you have cable. This notion needs to be changed in the lawmakers minds. We as hobbyists need to make this loud and clear.
Next give the hobbyist a little RANGE say 2 miles of 60db signal. If it has to be only in a rural area so be it but make it legal. All the iron fisted yea yea kill the hobby Radio crap is not doing anyone any good. And hobbyist need to stop with the “I don’t want to get involved” crap too as your watching your broadcasting days being snatched out from you while you sit and allow it to happen. Sorry if I come on strong here but its everyone’s problem not a few of us.
Total posts : 45366The Handwriting On the Wall says: “Its everyone’s problem not a few of us.”
That is true and correct. Somebody should contact their congress person, just so it isn’t me.
Total posts : 45366Perhaps the confusion often seen which equates legitimate Part 15 operation to pirate could be abated by calling the Part 15 operations “license free” rather than “unlicensed”. The term “license free” implies that a license is not needed rather than operating without a license where one is required as is the case with “unlicensed”. Perhaps a play on words but worth a thought.
Neil
Total posts : 45366Neil suggests: ” Perhaps the confusion often seen which equates legitimate Part 15 operation to pirate could be abated by calling the Part 15 operations “license free” rather than “unlicensed“.”
Problem is pirates are also “license free”.
Total posts : 45366It seems to me that the bill should be about “illegal use” of the airwaves, as opposed to “legal use” (of which Part 15 broadcasting is one).
Total posts : 45366The Pirate Act as its written now could stop ALL Legal Radio transmitions in apartments
Land lords who don’t wish to be held liable will much rather in the lease state that NO Radio Transmissions shal eminate from the property of 1241 whatever stret, Somewhere USA. This could eliminate Ham Radio Operators, CBers, GMRS, Part 15 Legal AM stations.
Emergency Weather information is often helped by Ham Operators who are a part of Skywarn. Without the ability to have a base station set up you’ve just hampered emergency communications which the NAB has been trying to intice lawmakers with because the non technical person doesn’t know the difference. There willingness to stiffle competition turns a blind eye to the obvious.
This bill is a direct insult to the legal rights of operators who are not using dirty transmitters, not trying to make money or otherwise not attempting to bypass the rules that the FCC has etched out. This is pure T Overkill and seemingly accidentally on purpose to detour even the thought of legal no license needed AM stations from seeing the light of day or to cause confusion that will causee the elimination of all broadcasts from the general citizens of this country.
I hope Donald Trump, The FCC, and other rights activest read this and let this message ring LOUD AND CLEAR as well as any so called true Radio enthusiest of any type. This law is not anybody’s friend but instead protects these special interest organizations who have an agenda that has the best results to line their pockets. Internet Radio was almost killed in the dead of night don’t let this happen to your hobby and your rights.
Stand tall and fight the fight for understanding by lawmakers and push for a change. The airwaves should not be just for the folks who have the money to lobby. the business modle of Radio needs to change. Maybe the FCC should look at rather Radio should be a platform for big money in the first place. Where does this fit into the PICN? Those in Radio should know the PICN.
Total posts : 45366That’s not going to happen. It would be unenforceable.
Part 15 exists in part because a lot of devices unintentionally emit RF (and the rules limit that RF). Are landlords going to restrict toasters or light bulbs? What about cell phones or WiFi? Or even AM/FM Radios or TV’s (all of which have that Part 15 certified sticker somewhere on them)?
Most leases have in a clause restricting illegal use of the rental. Pirate radio (amongst many other things) is illegal use. While those clauses don’t tend to stop criminals, they do make law abiding citizens think twice.
Total posts : 45366
Total posts : 45366We all need good hygiene
Total posts : 45366Lets break down what the acronym meens. PCN: Public Interest. A broadcaster as a licensee must support the Public Interest for the area they cover (Their contour). This is where marketing research comes into play. Also what type of information is the public interested in? This covers the PI for PICN or P in PCN.
Convenience – When we look up at the sky and the weather looks threatening where do we get our information? Radio first and then maybe TV. While in your car you may tune around to a station that is closest to you to get the latest information on a possible tornado, Blizzard, Flood, or something life threatening such as a killer on the loose raping and killing young innocent women. This was important when Ted Bundey escaped from prison and went on a killing spree. Musical formats and discovery is convenient to those who don’t have easy access to the Internet. By playing only Top40 and Rap it does not meet the convenience of the public breaking the C rule in PICN or PCN.
N = necessity. What is this? Radio is a necessary tool for affordable entertainment as well as news and emergency information. For low income people or those who lost jobs due to an unexpected health issue it could be the only source for Music and information. Even a welfare recipient who had to have room mates to help pay rent and bills due to the fact they stay at an otherwise non affordable area of housing and screwed the person offering them a place to stay and their power was shut off for a few days can afford a wind up Radio while they go through that agonizing and embarrassing situation. I’ve went through this experience and at least Radio was the only FREE thing you may get as far as any luxury if you can call it that.
Does Today’s Radio meet the PICN? Its a sticky question at best. If it truly met the public’s needs I feel there would be far less. You see Pirates because there is a lack of diversity a lack of tolerance of creation and mindful listening. Thus you’ll have folks who risk their lives to bring back the Quality in Radio which has been missing for a number of years now. Eliminating the competition only gives them a means for their lame excuse for the careless narcissist nature of many broadcast companies.
Remember that cable companies were forced to have cable access channels in the early 80s why do you think this is the case? Why not Radio Broadcasting companies being forced to have open studio access stations whereas a person who has a special format and wants to do a show has access to it? You don’t want to compromise with Hobby Broadcasting than the legislature needs to make sure the big wigs play fair. This may cause them to rethink their process of eliminating Hobby Broadcasting by a hidden agenda.
Total posts : 45366Thelegacy said: “Land lords who don’t wish to be held liable will much rather in the lease state that NO Radio Transmissions shal eminate from the property of 1241 whatever stret, Somewhere USA. This could eliminate Ham Radio Operators, CBers, GMRS, Part 15 Legal AM stations.”
This is what I have said is the big problem with the proposed legislation in the States.
A dangerous thing as landlords who know nothing about part 15 out of ignorance will become the “radio police” and will do what Thelegacy stated….ban ALL radio transmission of any kind.
Property owners can’t be held responsible for what a tenent does.
You have to contact your congress man/woman and say no to this!!
Total posts : 45366The point of this is that landlords just can’t outlaw all radio signals. Are they going to outlaw WiFi? Or CFL lights? Or even TV sets? All generate radio signals and are governed by Part 15 (and RSS210 in Canada).
Total posts : 45366They won’t ban WI FI but will just ban any transmitting on AM or FM radio and ban any such transmitter on the premises out of ignorance.
Saying a property owner is an accomplice when someone gets a NOUO is rediculous and a dangerous precedent. This won’t help the hobby in any way and will kill it unless you have your own home.
Try telling people about part 15 or BETS that think any transmitting on the commercial bands is illegal which is most of the population.
Imagine being a landlord and getting a visit from the FCC and being told he/she is being held liable as an accomplice for what a tenent did.
Say thelagacy for the sake of discussion got his NOUO and rents a house and the owner who lives somewhere else gets cited as an accomplice…like huh!! “What does that have to do with me”?
A very slippery slope indeed.
Total posts : 45366This is why we have to get on the ball with this one. I know some of you people know very well and good how to get a hold of their congressmen and very much could help to deter such a bill from even seeing the light of day.
Many people try to tell me back in the day that the riaa would never get a bill passed in the dead of night that could hamper the hobby on internet radio and look where that’s came to be. I got on some of those forms and said I told you so. But funny thing is I got a sponsor that help me and they didn’t so there stations went dark and mine did not. Serves them right for not helping me when I ask them to make a petition.
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