Although I have puttered around with Part 15 AM for more than 20 years, it wasn’t until last year that I really got serious about it. I spent well over $1,000 on equipment during the past 12 months, and I was planning on making further investments. However, in view of recent FCC rule “clarifications”, I am wondering whether it’s time to just give up and sell all of my gear on e-Bay while I can still get something for it. What do you gentlemen think?
I own several FCC Certified transmitters. Because one of the posters on this board went to the FCC and hounded them for interpretations of the FCC rules, all of these transmitters are now apparently illegal since they all contain internal matching networks (“loading coils”). If I modify the transmitters to remove the impedance matching networks, the output power will drop to an unusably low level, there will be no harmonic suppression, and the certifications will be voided.
Besides that, apparently I must now install my transmitter within a few inches of dirt, and in addition I can’t use a ground screen to improve the poor ground conductivity in my area. I would have to site the transmitter in a very poor location. Even if I somehow figured out how to match the antenna without the use of a “loading coil” (probably impossible), the signal would only go a few feet under those conditions.
I don’t want to start a technical debate on these “clarifications” but I am wondering what some of you think– Is it time to give up? I can’t afford the possibility of having to pay a big fine. What are you going to do?
I also worry that this is going to put the few Part 15 equipment manufacturers that have supported our hobby out of business.
Selling Out?
WEAK-AM wrote Because one of the posters on this board went to the FCC and hounded them for interpretations of the FCC rules, all of these transmitters are now apparently illegal since they all contain internal matching networks (“loading coils”). etc
The readers thereof can decide for themselves.
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Thanks, but..
Dear Rich,
As to whether you hounded the FCC, it is my personal opinion that none of this would have happened otherwise. That’s my opinion, and I’m sticking to it.
Nevertheless, since you responded, I will ask you– what do you recommend us to do, who are now owners of equipment we can’t use and have paid significant (to us) money for– as a result of your rule “clarifications”?
I suspect I am not the only person facing this dilemma. I would like to know what other people plan to do. Do you plan to sell out or continue operating and just “hope” that the FCC doesn’t come over and give you a big fine?
What am I going to do?
WeakAM,
To stay on topic and to answer your original question, it will continue to be business as usual here regarding my part 15 activities.
Neil
Clarifications
WEAK-AM wrote: Nevertheless, since you responded, I will ask you– what do you recommend us to do, who are now owners of equipment we can’t use and have paid significant (to us) money for– as a result of your rule “clarifications”?
Buyers of FCC-certified Part 15 AM transmitters have a reasonable expectation that the manufacturers of such equipment have done the research to determine what the FCC requires for legal Part 15 AM systems.
Such buyers also should have the reasonable expectation that, if the FCC awarded a Part 15 AM certification to any specific transmitter, such certification was made with full regard to FCC rules and policies.
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I wouldn’t belive a word of it
Keep your stuff and keep broadcasting – we have no proof what-so-ever that there are any changes in FCC policy. The fact that people post things doesn’t make them true, even if those posts supposedly contain official information – which is unverified…
It is highly unlikely that any one individual, or a collection of individuals, can influence FCC policy and the alleged clairfications are just that, alleged.
If it’s not on official, it’s hearsay to me.
I’m just getting started so, I’d be inclined to quake if it were posted on the FCC’s website or a pdf of official letterhead otherwise I’d view it as hearsay regardless of the source.