Part 15 to one watt- may not be a good idea

[simcha]

I saw that one group of individuals are trying to get part 15 to have a one watt limit. On one hand after just coming off the roof after installing a second rangemaster, the idea sounds good. However, sound is the problem here. Part 15 allows one to broadcast their "stuff". Part 15 is everywhere today. Wireless internet is part 15. More important kids with wireless ipods are part 15. They are using these devices to broadcast their ipod music in the house etc. If they get one watt in these devices, the whole am and fm dial will become like busy cb channels. Having a difficult time that we do, allows one to uncover the hidden blessing of part 15. With hard work and dedication, we surpass all the other part 15 users and actually broadcast. Changing any laws now, may and will most likely backfire. Truth of the matter is, no one using a certified part 15 transmitter has ever been fined. Calling the government to focus their attention to part 15 may be risking the good that we presently have.

 

[WCWalker]

***I've see sawed back and forth on this very issue over the last few years. The power level proposed for AM and FM won't impact the emissions limits set for other devices.

The initial proposal that I saw by someone affiliated with the Petitioners asked for TEN WATTS in some cases! I told them they were going to be viewed as "nuts" by the FCC and they would promptly dismiss the Petition as unworkable. Ten watts unlicensed would lead to anarchy on the airwaves. After the clause asking for ten watts was removed I added my name to this proposal.

One watt may be possible though I highly doubt the FCC is going to approve such a power level for unlicensed AM. They might consider half a watt after all is said and done and that could be a help. Most likely, nothing will change. I agree with DB in that taller antenna heights would be equally beneficial and that might be more doable with the present power level.

At this stage, given the popularity of the Type Accepted Rangemaster and the USI Trans AM 100 plus the countless numbers of the Infomax in circulation, it is not likely the FCC will simply wipe out Part 15 broadcasting because someone is asking to raise the power level. Pirate activity or use of non part 15 compliant devices in mass numbers poses a greater risk to part 15 broadcasting and could result in unwanted attention by the FCC or others that perceive all forms of unlicensed broadcasting as illegal.



> I saw that one group of individuals are trying to get part
> 15 to have a one watt limit. On one hand after just coming
> off the roof after installing a second rangemaster, the idea
> sounds good. However, sound is the problem here. Part 15
> allows one to broadcast their "stuff". Part 15 is everywhere
> today. Wireless internet is part 15. More important kids
> with wireless ipods are part 15. They are using these
> devices to broadcast their ipod music in the house etc. If
> they get one watt in these devices, the whole am and fm dial
> will become like busy cb channels. Having a difficult time
> that we do, allows one to uncover the hidden blessing of
> part 15. With hard work and dedication, we surpass all the
> other part 15 users and actually broadcast. Changing any
> laws now, may and will most likely backfire. Truth of the
> matter is, no one using a certified part 15 transmitter has
> ever been fined. Calling the government to focus their
> attention to part 15 may be risking the good that we
> presently have.
>

 

[dbdigital]

> I saw that one group of individuals are trying to get part
> 15 to have a one watt limit. On one hand after just coming
> off the roof after installing a second rangemaster, the idea
> sounds good. However, sound is the problem here. Part 15
> allows one to broadcast their "stuff". Part 15 is everywhere
> today. Wireless internet is part 15. More important kids
> with wireless ipods are part 15. They are using these
> devices to broadcast their ipod music in the house etc. If
> they get one watt in these devices, the whole am and fm dial
> will become like busy cb channels. Having a difficult time
> that we do, allows one to uncover the hidden blessing of
> part 15. With hard work and dedication, we surpass all the
> other part 15 users and actually broadcast. Changing any
> laws now, may and will most likely backfire. Truth of the
> matter is, no one using a certified part 15 transmitter has
> ever been fined. Calling the government to focus their
> attention to part 15 may be risking the good that we
> presently have.
>

To be sure, a call for more power for Part-15 would mean that nearly all
Part-15 devices would be eligible unless the FCC separates Part-15 community broadcasting from iPod transmitters. The impression I get is that the FCC barely wants to acknowledge unlicensed, legal community broadcasting, let alone make any special provisions for it. Which is a pity.

On a different note, I thought this site which is linked on RecNet was interesting. http://www.lpfmnz.com/ I didn't know that New Zealand made such generous provisions for unlicensed broadcasting. And on FM, no less!

This agency, LPFMNZ, is a kind of self-regulation group for the low power radio community in New Zealand. I was wondering if, at some point, a self-regulation/advocacy group for Part-15 broadcasters in the U.S. might be a good thing?

db