Mark

I agree 500mW and a little relaxing of ground leads would be better and not cause any problems. In Canada it’s ISED (formerly Industry Canada), spectrum management that looks after this here. CRTC regulates programing only.
The analog radios will be around forever. Even in 30 years you will still be able to get a 1950s tube radio working fine in…[Read more]

I hope you are right about the reasons you cited as to why digital won’t make it, although a bad economy as the reason is not good either but I see what you are saying.
This digital subject is relevant to us as it’s connected to the survival of our hobby.

I just bought a new Kia Forte as someone smashed into my Chev Cobalt and it was a write off…[Read more]

Good article.

This digital subject affects us all here. It will mean the sun setting on our hobby as most “part 15” is done on AM, and FM in the USA at least is so restrictive you can’t get a hobby station off the ground. It’s better in Canada but still not like AM is.

This subject should get more of us weighing in on this!

Hobbyists unite! Keep the AM band…[Read more]

I don’t understand why a hobbyist like ourselves would side with scrapping the AM band and “shooting himself in the foot” so to speak.

As for Canada you never hear of this here. I will email the CRTC or OSED(Industry Canada’s old name) or call them and see if I can find out what is in the plans for us here. Nothing ever in the news or anything.…[Read more]

I know about WABC and that’s the real AM revitalization. Comes in great here in Toronto. They have it right. Get back to it’s hey day with what it was playing then along with radio dramas, good DJs.
Their ratings go up 3X during Cousin Brucie’s Show.

Problem is the advertisers don’t want people over 55!

I think I saw that article and it was on facebook and I responded asking what about part 15 seeing you support MA3 digital transition and I like I said I got no comment.
Seems she supports NAB not the hobbyists even though she runs a part 15 group on Facebook.

In Canada nothing is heard about this even though you are right that the two countries…[Read more]

Follow up to my above post, Don’t feel bad that you just got the Procaster! I just spent $450 on the Schlockwood AM 200 processor for my AM station that works great with the Procaster by the way.

I don’t like the digital talk either but enjoy! It’s not happening overnight.

Don’t worry….YET!
It sucks I know and it could mean the end of this hobby on AM at least if the band is scrapped. So far it’s voluntary.
I am surprised that Michelle Bradley is for this because she has the Facebook part 15  group and should be sympathetic to us.

I replied to one of her posts where she seemed to be pushing digital and said to…[Read more]

Be interesting to see what Jerry says about the copper wire inside the tube.

I didn’t mean it would screw up the Procaster itself just the performance as two antennas together may not be better.

Problem is this discussion comes up on the forums but will do no good here.
It has to be presented to the FCC. To Congress people it election time when they will listen to you.
If it’s approached in the wrong way the fear is that it could backfire and you could loose what you have now.

Maybe if you contacted Michelle Bradley and tried to get…[Read more]

No space left here in the Greater Toronto area as the FM band is full. No space with a vacant spot on each side and not just Toronto stations but from other places around.
Putting a copper wire inside the tube may screw it up, The wire has to be by itself.

Hope you didn’t have covid!

On 1500 it still wasn’t much different than 1630 where I am now. But it got better when I shortened the antenna because the Procaster comes with a 104″ antenna not a 3 meter antenna as I had so when I shortened it it worked better. Asked about lengthening the antenna and found out out will make it worse as the on board…[Read more]

Also have a bit of carrier current going on here. The signal is getting into the house wiring and radiating outside from the house a bit and even getting into other houses via the Hydro A/C wiring. My listeners get it better in the house than the car!
With a portable if I go to the main power box in the basement the signal is so strong right…[Read more]

Horatio Caine said “I still have the pictures you sent me. Are you not using the ground lug? I know your Procaster is inside, but Gerry said to use a cold water pipe (if you have that) for grounding. Yeah…I realize that bends the rules some, but it could help.”

Here’s the thing. I am not using the ground lug at all! If I attached a ground wire t…[Read more]

As acting moderator I have to please ask that this disagreement between the two members be done off the forum as this is counter productive to the interests of the forum
which is part 15 hobby and others will see this and may be turned off from wanting to be here and that’s not right.
So I am ending this thread here.

Sorry to hear of your health situation. Yes I have realized my dream of a hobby station and have gotten listeners in my area and I never thought i would on AM when I switched.
Glad you can have your hobby and I agree the government doesn’t care about hobby radio….the FCC and Industry Canada but fortunately they allow us something. And with AM…[Read more]