Whats the point of Part 15?
> Part 15 stations are in a totally different category, and
> can't really be compared to broadcast operations.
What is the reason that Part 15 exists? Could it be that all electrical and electronic devices emit some level of RF radiation? Is it possible that Part 15 is not really intended to allow people to intentionally broadcast to their neighborhood?
Part 15 is intended to let people use devices that may intentionally or unintentionally emit RF. An intentional might be a cordless phone or a toy car remote. Part 15 puts varying restrictions on the different radio frequency bands in order to let people use these devices without them all interfering with each other.
If we look at the back of our TVs, Radios, Computers, Microwave ovens, and many other devices, we see an FCC certification on them.
Technology has improved, and so has the ability to limit the amount of RF these devices emit. Recent abuses of the rules have caused the FCC to revisit such areas as the FM broadcast band and further limit the restrictions. Remember when the limit on FM was 100 mW, now it is that very constrictive field strength at a mere 3 meters. Why?
Well for one thing, there are a lot of devices out there that operate on FM radio frequencies. (Remember Mr. Microphone? Siriusly though, I digress) Sattelite radios and iPods have those little FM transmitter devices that let you listen on any radio. With new FM tuners being more and more sensitive, now you have signals that are going places. Its fun to drive along the Long Island Expressway with the car radio tuned to 87.9 and 87.7 to hear other peoples Sirius and XM stations, or to hear what they got on their iPods.
HOLD ON A MINUTE! 87.7! 87.9! Thats the TV BAND! Absolutely. According to the FCC operating a device on these frequencies, even at less than Part 15 power or strength is prohibited. It is the TV band. So how come these companies can get away with it?
MY friends just got Sirius. Seriously, just last week. They can have their Sirius receiver in their bedroom on the second floor and with the FM transmitter set to 87.7 hear it on any radio in the house, including in the basement. It comes in beautifully in their car which was in the garage, as well my car which was parked two houses down on the street. Well, OK there is no Channel 6 in New York, so whats the big deal? Well, there is a Channel 6 in New York City, an LPTV. (an entirely different rant) I live a good 20-30 miles further from this LPTV than they do. I get the audio from LPTV 6 on my radios at home. When I am at my friends house which is closer to this LPTV, their Sirius Transmitter was crystal clear.
I was riding along Ocean Parkway this summer listening to the XM Modern Rock Channel of someone who was a good 500 or so feet behind me. Gee, that far exceeds the 200' rule of thumb. So not only are these little devices a bit too strong, some of them use unauthorized frequencies. MY question is this... Who is accountable for these unauthorized broadcasts? Is it the sellers and makers of the products? Is it the consumers who don't know any better? Or is is a shared responsibility? How does it affect legitimate part 15 broadcasters?
Well at least the last question I can answer to some degree. It already has affected us. The FCC stiffened the FM rules. Now all we have is AM. Lets hope that AM don't get abused as badly as the FM has, what with Talking Houses and Billboards and such, It may only be a matter of time till the big license holders complain about the "Microcasters" on AM too.
So is playing your mp3 player through one of these 10mW transmitters going to get you in trouble? I siriusly doubt it unless you are stupid and intentionally trying to mess with people. Does that make it legal? Absolutely not? But does it seem right? That you must decide for on your own. I know I have made my decision.
