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OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING FOR YOU TO OWN FULL POWER!

J

joshzz

Why bother spending all your time programming a Part 15 station that all but 3 or 4 people can't hear, when there is opportunity to own full power FM Radio & AM Radio at very little cost?

There are lots of opportunities available like never before. If you love radio like I do, then make a move today. All the naysayers will complain and make up all kinds of excuses as to why they can't .. it's always, "I can't!" .. but my friend you can!

Even if it requires relocation, it's worth it! I saw full power FM radio stations in radiotvdeals.com that can be had at asking prices as low as $10,000 (one such station is located in Ohio right near Wheeling, WV). That's the asking price so I'm sure you'll be able to offer less.

There are many others too.

I am offering this information as an encouragment for you to make that move and finally own a real radio station!
 
You are just about as condescending as Mr. Fry. Your repeated attempts to convince others that they should drop Part 15 broadcasting in favor of a licensed station is wearisome.

Simply put. Some people have some very valid reasons for choosing Part 15 broadcasting over a licensed station. It could be as simple as a funding issue or potential revenue streams after purchase. Perhaps others don't have the capability to meet the criteria put forth by the FCC to own a station. Others may simply like the freedom from the burdens associated with owning and operating a licensed station. And many others may not have the sales or management skills or the ability to hire qualified people to run a licensed station. Regardless of their reason you, like Mr. Fry should get off their case. Capiche?
 
Sure, there are some bargains out there. But bringing a "bargain" station back from the edge of darkness can end up costing plenty with no end in sight. And then there is the FCC.

Personally, I'm now finding that having a broadcast station is a regulatory nightmare--a nightmare made worse by an FCC that is increasingly broadcast unfriendly while running amok with a Taliban-like interpretation of what constitutes the public interest.

No, there's something liberating about simply setting up a part 15 station, broadcasting for a few weeks or months and then moving on.
 
Just to note that my posts are not hostile to, or "anti" Part 15. They have only stated the performance characteristics typical of unlicensed systems truly meeting the limits set out in Part 15 that objectively can be proven by physics.

Probably those who object to, suppress or sidestep such information do so not to support authentic "Part 15" operations, even though for whatever reason(s), they may wish to identify themselves as true and valid supporters of Part 15.

In some cases, the posts of such objectors could encourage others to install/operate unlicensed systems that could result in FCC citations to those operators.

But when all is said and done, the choice and risk of which unlicensed system configuration to use is up to each operator, and not to those posting "pro" or "con" descriptions of such systems on the Internet.
 
Which one would be most "worth it" josh?
I mean, figuring in relocation, too. Don't forget that.

Shoot, for that matter, which one did you sign for?
 
It's like this in many cases...

"Would I LIKE to own a full-power AM?" Well, yes, kinda.
"Would I WANT to own a full-power AM?" Um, hell no!

Perhaps I'm happy just to set up and program my own stations FOR MY OWN ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. So I can have something to listen to on my old radios besides the gruel that exists on the vast majority of stations. So I can listen to it out on my deck when guests are over, or to listen to while doing work around the house and yard. No FCC worries (Is the public file up to date?), FAA troubles (Stupid beacons anyways), ASCAP/BMI issues, music I actually WANT to hear, the challenge of seeing how good I can make 25mW of AM carrier built with junkbox tubes using dumpster-rescued processing equipment. No FEES!!! I don't have to stress about whether the EAS receiver is working or not. I can turn it on when I need it and drop it to filaments when I don't. I don't have to worry about having someone answer the phone in the event there's a SAME hazard in the area.

Try that scenario with a full-power AM. I dare you!
 
Radio Boogie said:
It's like this in many cases...

"Would I LIKE to own a full-power AM?" Well, yes, kinda.
"Would I WANT to own a full-power AM?" Um, hell no!

Perhaps I'm happy just to set up and program my own stations FOR MY OWN ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. So I can have something to listen to on my old radios besides the gruel that exists on the vast majority of stations. So I can listen to it out on my deck when guests are over, or to listen to while doing work around the house and yard. No FCC worries (Is the public file up to date?), FAA troubles (Stupid beacons anyways), ASCAP/BMI issues, music I actually WANT to hear, the challenge of seeing how good I can make 25mW of AM carrier built with junkbox tubes using dumpster-rescued processing equipment. No FEES!!! I don't have to stress about whether the EAS receiver is working or not. I can turn it on when I need it and drop it to filaments when I don't. I don't have to worry about having someone answer the phone in the event there's a SAME hazard in the area.

Try that scenario with a full-power AM. I dare you!
Click to expand...

Legally, even as a Part 15 broadcaster, you're still on the hook for music licensing with ASCAP and BMI. Here are their agreements:

http://www.bmi.com/forms/licensing/radio/part_15_radio_license.pdf

http://www.ascap.com/~/media/Files/..._Radio_Station_Interim_License_Agreement.ashx

I notice that ASCAP has added the language for their radio agreement as, "audio over-the-air in all its forms." Slick.
 
I was approached by BMI a few year ago. I told them to buzz off. Never heard from them again. They are just extorting money from Part 15 operators who are easy enough to pay them.
 
druidhillsradio said:
I was approached by BMI a few year ago. I told them to buzz off. Never heard from them again. They are just extorting money from Part 15 operators who are easy enough to pay them.
Click to expand...

Here's a hypothetical: Could BMI and ASCAP demand money from people who bring stereos/boom boxes (remember them?) to the beach or park, and turned them up so 50-100 people could hear it? After all, they are "broadcasting" in a loose sense in that more than the stereo's own family and guests can hear it. And it would have more potential listeners at that given time than most Part 15 stations.
 
KeithE4 said:
Here's a hypothetical: Could BMI and ASCAP demand money from people who bring stereos/boom boxes (remember them?) to the beach or park, and turned them up so 50-100 people could hear it? After all, they are "broadcasting" in a loose sense in that more than the stereo's own family and guests can hear it. And it would have more potential listeners at that given time than most Part 15 stations.
Click to expand...

Rumor has it that ASCAP, BMI and the RIAA will be placing people at strategic intersections in Manhattan starting this Spring and while traffic is stopped during red lights they will be listening for the loudest car audio system. They will promptly approach the operator and each hand them a bill!

What's next - placing a bill in every iPod FM modulator adapter box?

The above was for dramatization purposes only ... but hey, it could happen.
 
KeithE4 said:
Here's a hypothetical: Could BMI and ASCAP demand money from people who bring stereos/boom boxes (remember them?) to the beach or park, and turned them up so 50-100 people could hear it? After all, they are "broadcasting" in a loose sense in that more than the stereo's own family and guests can hear it. And it would have more potential listeners at that given time than most Part 15 stations.
Click to expand...

Yes they do. Where I work we pay these guys because we use music for events.
 
druidhillsradio said:
KeithE4 said:
Here's a hypothetical: Could BMI and ASCAP demand money from people who bring stereos/boom boxes (remember them?) to the beach or park, and turned them up so 50-100 people could hear it? After all, they are "broadcasting" in a loose sense in that more than the stereo's own family and guests can hear it. And it would have more potential listeners at that given time than most Part 15 stations.
Click to expand...

Yes they do. Where I work we pay these guys because we use music for events.
Click to expand...

I can understand that, but I was talking about just a family spending the day at the beach or park and they bring their stereo with them and start playing their CDs - no organization, just a family.
 
Radiofan101 said:
Would it be possible to just pay either BMI or ASCAP. How much would having just one would limit a station's music selection?
Click to expand...
Quite a bit.
If you only pay BMI, you only play BMI.
If you only pay ASCAP, you only play ASCAP.

If you pay both you get both.
 
In answer to that scenario - No, you would be no more be required to pay licensing fees for playing music at your family and friends gathering, than you would be required to get a food service permit to cook the hamburgers on the grill to serve the same.
I suppose if going by the letter of the law, things could be twisted to imply that somehow such requirements would have to be met in such situations.. crazier things have happened -- but it would be outrageous, and probably unconstitutional...

However.. I don't think it's so far fetched for BMI and ASCAP to legally require payment of fees for a part15 station.. though I doubt they would take steps to enforce it if you don't comply.. unless your station is actually business venture... and even then..
I also tend to doubt that most public gatherings and events which utilize loud sound systems for playing music that can be heard for blocks ever bother to look into the requirements, or pay any fees.
 
Oh, give me a break. My Part 15 signals hardly cover the yard. I have a JVC Kaboom radio that can cover twice that area with the volume on 5. In fact, the main reason I run the transmitter is to link my record room to a radio while I'm tinkering around in other rooms or outside in the yard. Other than that, I just turn them off. My neighbors would practically need a yagi or longwire to hear my stations.

BMI/ASCAP can bite me. They'd have to literally be trespassing just to hear the signals.
 
Well I agree with your point, --but if it's for business, then those fees would have to be paid.. I mean, just try to put a jukebox in a bar or restaurant without bothering to paying those fees and you will find that you won't get away with it for long.

As for a hobbyist part15ner.. like I said, it seems doubtful they would ever try to actively enforce it.
 
Carmine5 said:
Legally, even as a Part 15 broadcaster, you're still on the hook for music licensing with ASCAP and BMI. Here are their agreements:

http://www.bmi.com/forms/licensing/radio/part_15_radio_license.pdf

http://www.ascap.com/~/media/Files/..._Radio_Station_Interim_License_Agreement.ashx

I notice that ASCAP has added the language for their radio agreement as, "audio over-the-air in all its forms." Slick.
Click to expand...

ASCAP's form asks for call letters as well as "FCC Community of License" Part 15s do not have either of those.
 
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