ArtisanRadio

Carl states it best.  The assumption that all other things are equal between a Part 15 installation and a licensed station is not correct.  Otherwise, numerous Part 15 stations would not see the results they are seeing when elevating antennas (and with all other things being equal WITH THE TWO PART 15 TRANSMITTER installations).

I’m not even s…[Read more]

I can only go by my experience, regardless of theory. When I raised my wire antenna so that it was above my roofline, range increased substantially.

With the same setup, but the wire antenna indoors, range sucked.

I can’t comment on the effect of obstructions on licensed radio station signals.

But I can comment on that effect for Part 15 signals.

I also have observed that line of sight makes a huge difference in AM Part 15 range.  I once conducted an experiment – I used the same transmitter (Talking House), antenna (wire) and power cord for each.

In…[Read more]

This last post is a classic example of misinformation wrapped in a bunch of other stuff.

I don’t know where you’re getting the factoid that 2 miles range for Part 15 AM is “average”.

I’ve been broadcasting for over 10 years under Part 15 and RSS210 AM, using certified transmitters (the Rangemaster, the ProCaster, the Talking House and the…[Read more]

When i was referring to a quality compromised radio signal, I was really talking about Part 15 AM.  When I was running my Rangemaster, and getting well over a (listenable) mile range to my car radio, I couldn’t get what I considered a quality signal to a good portable for more than a block or two.  After that, static started to really intrude i…[Read more]

When I was on  Bowen Island, I ran Artisan Radio as a community radio station (under BETS-1 FM rules).

We were located in a storefront, located in an artist’s enclave (Artisan Square, hence the name) overlooking Snug Cove (what passes as downtown on Bowen) and the ferry terminal.  The enclave consisted of stores, artist studios and r…[Read more]

Most legal over-the-air Part 15 stations will get very poor range (measured in the hundreds of feet) on ordinary receivers.  That includes both AM in the U.S. and FM in Canada.

Exfcept in a few, rare cases, the only useful listening range otherwise is via a sensitive car radio (unless, of course, you listen in on a communications grade receiver,…[Read more]

I suspect that basically the same language ‘tolerance’ is applied in both the U.S. and Canada.  The CRTC, the regulatory body responsible for content in Canada (in the U.S., it’s the FCC), has a set of guidelines that dictate acceptable language.  All stations, even those exempt from CRTC licensing such as BETS, have to follow these g…[Read more]

Broadcasters in Canada require BOTH an Industry Canada and CRTC license. If you follow BETS or RSS211, you are exempt from those licenses. But notwithstanding that, either of those regulatory bodies can force you to be licensed for any reason, effectively taking your station off the air.
That certainly sounds like being tolerated to me.

Actually, both BETS and Part 15 state that we are tolerated.  Stations operating under these rules can be shut down at any time.

I’ve seen that error when the Talking House can’t properly tune its wire antenna with the internal antenna tuner.  You could try moving the transmitter (and antenna), but it’s possible that the power outage (and potential power surge) damaged something internally.

I agree with Rich that one of the issues with Teamspeak meetings is scheduling.

Another is that such meetings artificially limit the workable size of the group.  Studies have shown that the most effective type of meetings consist of up to 5 (maybe 6) participants.  Larger, and you spend more time on basic communication between members than g…[Read more]

I attempted to stick to the facts re the ALPB, talking about motivation (mine only) when I was directly involved.

As to the Anything Goes ALPB Forum section, things evolve.  I believe that both Carl and Rich are partially correct in describing the motivations behind its inception.  I also know that it was created (I had a hand in that creation) t…[Read more]

I’ve always thought very highly of the concept of the ALPB.  It was intended to be a truly democratic organization of low power radio broadcasters, unlike the other websites and/or Forums that were run by single or small numbers of individuals.  The latter can sometimes be rather autocratic in nature, with decisions made solely on the personal o…[Read more]

I worked on the precursor to the Internet (as it is today) called Videotex (the Canadian version – Telidon), well before there was the public infrastructure to support it.  The company’s name was Infomart.

I’ve seen the graphical Internet start up and grow.

It’s a great tool, when used properly.  It’s interesting, because I was saying the same t…[Read more]

I suspect what is in the ‘public interest’ from one person’s point of view may not be in another’s.  Regardless of what side of the political fence you’re on.

It’s called free speech.  And freedom of opinion.  Getting ALL points of view ‘out there’, and ALL the facts, is truly in the public interest.  Not just one or the other.

I’m not even sur…[Read more]

Very sad news indeed.  Rest in Peace, Jim.

https://dailycaller.com/2016/12/05/here-is-why-baby-its-cold-outside-is-not-a-song-about-rape/

The origins and historical context of a song do mean something.

I suspect most of the program directors pulling the song from rotation aren’t women.

More proof that common sense is all that common.

I think you have to be careful interpreting songs written long ago in today’s terms.

And they are only words, not unwanted actions (the latter of which are deplorable in any time).

Just as that radio station has the freedom to choose its playlist, others have the right to play and listeners have the right to enjoy classic Christmas songs.

I…[Read more]

It IS a good article.  A responsible and accurate description of a Part 15 broadcasting operation is hard to come by.  I hope that you can benefit from the free advertising.