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A new era for Part 15 FM?

E

edarmsttrong

It has come to my attention, that the FCC has authorized 'Wireless Audio Devices' in the 76-88 Mhz band. This is TV Channel 6. If I am reading the NPRM correctly, it would authorize 50 mW of transmitter output power license free in this band. There are distance and separation requirements from actual TV stations operating on channel six, other technical requriements, and type certified transmitters are required. I know of ONE type certified transmitter on the market presently. But, will we soon see little 50 mW Part 15 FMs sprouting up on 87.5, 87.7, and 87.9?

The NPRM has been published in the Federal Register, and the the specific parts are 15.3 and 15.238 (a new subpart!)

Here is a link to more info...the pertinent info is toward the end of the document.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-16A1.pdf
 
edarmsttrong said:
It has come to my attention, that the FCC has authorized 'Wireless Audio Devices' in the 76-88 Mhz [sic] band....
Click to expand...

I skimmed over that document, but didn't see anything there that applied to transmissions intended to be received by the general public (i.e., "broadcasting"). Maybe I missed it. Could you please cut/paste the text from that link that you believe would allow this?

That URL discusses wireless microphones, but those are point-to-point services, not broadcast services.

Thanks,

RF
 
Wireless microphones are not intended for "broadcasting" to the general public, but they can be used as a short range audio link.
 
In the process of using a 'wireless audio device' as a link for feeding audio to multiple, well grounded Part 15 AM transmitters, it would be nearly impossible to prevent reception by the general public. Let's face it, the amount of power authorized is trivial, and in most cases would be less than adequate for 'broadcasting'.

As far as I know, there are no restrictions on the the type of audio material that could be transmitted on a wireless microphone.

To me, it's a similar situation to police frequencies and scanners. Obviously, the police do not 'broadcast' to the general public on their frequencies, but nothing prevents the general public from receiving these transmissions on readily available receivers.
 
Interesting...in review of Part 15.239, I don't see any provisions for 'broadcasting', either. It simply states the emmisions and power limits allowed for unlicensed operation on the band 88-108.

So, what's the difference?
 
Also Just Read that In Zone I (what ever that is) You have to be at a minimum of 65 Miles away From a Channel 5 or 6. Zone II is a minimum of 80 miles away from a Channel 5 or 6 in order to operate on 87.5-87.9
 
Why not just buy a 1000 watt AM station? There are many available at practically no cost - and come with transmitter and much more + you can make money with them.

For the radio enthusiast, this is the time buy! jossh
 
I wouldn't want to pay the power bill on a 1kW AM...Part 15 rigs can be run on batteries. Besides, a 1kW AM is just a little too much radio station for most people to deal with as a hobby..
 
Jossh,

When I asked one of my Gen-X friends at work what he thought about AM, making a weird face, he said, "You mean one of those stations that goes whoosssshhhh, screeeech, hissssssss, jig-a, jig-a, jig-a.... after dark???" Listen to that? Are you kidding???! And almost died laughing!
 
audioguy,

Now that was funny!!:)
 
Unfortunately, although I personally like AM, I did not make up this story!
 
Yes, but not (I think) by choice. It's the only practical option. I like the way mine sounds but 95 per cent of the time I'm listening to it within 100 feet of the antenna, so of course it sounds good!
 
"Why not just buy a 1000 watt AM station? There are many available at practically no cost - and come with transmitter and much more + you can make money with them."

You're out of your mind. The 1KW 24/7 station here has an asking price of 250K. ;D
 
The truth is, asking price doesn't mean anything in this market. I know a station that sold for 1.3 million in 2007 just went for 300 k. Another station (AM) with an asking price of 250 k recently went for less than 50 k. A Class A FM in Corpus Christie went for 300 K.

If you interested in the AM call the owner, I assure you that you can it get for less than that and maybe substantially less.

josh
 
could just buy a 200 watt Daytimer above 1500 Khz.
That gets about the same range as a Part 15 AM LOL! :D
I love AM too but hell, its a very noisy band.
Some people will still listen considering the format. But if Part 15 FM could
be as good as Part 15 AM I could guarantee you that everyone
would move to FM if they could.
 
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