Campus Broadcasting

[rfry]

Regardless of one's personal definition of "campus" or "institution," probably in most/many cases anyone wanting to comply with FCC §15.221 (b) for campus broadcasting using an intentionally radiated signal in the AM broadcast band would be better off to operate under §15.219. Here's why.

[Reference] FCC §15.221 (b) (2): At the perimeter of the campus, the field strength of any emissions, including those within the frequency band 525–1705 kHz, shall not exceed the general radiated emission in §15.209.

§15.209 permits a maximum field strength of 45.3 µV/m at the perimeter of the campus, best case (530 kHz).

So if, for example, a campus is comprised of a 5-acre plot with sides of equal length (~ 467 feet), and the radiating antenna is located at that center of that acreage, then the distance from the antenna to the closest perimeter boundary is ~ 233 feet.

The field strength of ~45 µV/m at that 233-ft distance per FCC §15.221 (b) (2), and all of the other fields within this 5-acre plot are much less than a fully compliant setup operating under §15.219 may produce. The same will hold true for considerably larger acreages.

A further consideration for campus operators is given in FCC §15.221 (c): A grant of equipment authorization is not required for intentional radiators operated under the provisions of this section. In lieu thereof, the intentional radiator shall be verified for compliance with the regulations in accordance with subpart J of part 2 of this chapter. This data shall be kept on file at the location of the studio, office or control room associated with the transmitting equipment. In some cases, this may correspond to the location of the transmitting equipment.

Verifying a transmitter for compliance under FCC Part 2, subpart J is a difficult and expensive process.

 

[druidhillsradio]

While you observation for the 5 acre campus may be true, 15.219 may not be the best option for larger campuses where the buildings, parking areas etc are located more or less in the center. Each campus has it's own particularities, so making a blanket observation that 15.219 is best is painting with a wide brush. For example, I know of a particular campus that owns an adjoining golf course while open to the public, is used for the NCAA Golf team. Therefore the course is part of the institution. A 15.219 transmitter would have an extremly weak signal on the course, clubhouse and associated parking if the transmitter was located in the center of the campus.

 

[rfry]

An intentional radiator transmit system per §15.219 that is not restricted to a maximum field strength at the perimeter of the campus as required by §15.221 (b)(2) should have better signals over the greatest area of most campuses, especially if the transmitter is not centered on the campus.

Using §15.219 also eliminates the need for accurate field strength measurements along the campus perimeter, and the need to verify the transmitter per §15.221 (c).

 

[pianoplayer88key]

Also what about irregularly shaped and/or elongated campuses? (campii?) Can they set up the transmitter in some location in the campus (hopefully doesn't have to be the center) and make the measurement at the most distant property boundary?

 

[rfry]

Also what about irregularly shaped and/or elongated campuses?... Can they make the measurement at the most distant property boundary?

FCC §15.221 (b) (2): At the perimeter of the campus, the field strength of any emissions, including those within the frequency band 525–1705 kHz, shall not exceed the general radiated emission in §15.209.

Definition: pe·rim·e·ter/pəˈrimitər (noun)...

The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure.

 

[druidhillsradio]

So, does the one measure for compliance at the narrowest boundary or the longest?

 

[rfry]

So, does the one measure for compliance at the narrowest boundary or the longest?

If previous posts in this thread have not provided an acceptable response to this query, suggest that you re-address it to the FCC.