Found some NEW info about RSS-210(Canada)

 @thelegacy ,  no I don't think there's a plan to harmonize both countries. But this is interesting info I came across. Also interesting is RSS-210 also says to receivers in range but nothing is specified about the receivers being my own or someone else's which brings up the grey area of broadcasting. I think and stand corrected that I am broadcasting as soon as I have an intentional radiator that someone else can receive.
Regardless Canada's allowed 100uV/M @ 30 meters whether BETS or RSS210 as long as the odd number frequencies are used and frequency modulation is used.


Mark

That document is date June 2007 - I can't believe that I (or anyone else for that matter) could have missed that pertinent section!

It does explain one thing, though, There are a couple of transmitters in the Industry Canada equipment database that are certified for RSS210 use, and their field strength as just under 1000uv/m @ 3 meters. I thought it was a mistake.

RSS210 still can't be used for broadcasting. Broadcasting in Industry Canada terms is defined as a transmission intended to reach the general public. But if you have an intended, dedicated audience, such as that defined in RSS123 (i.e., a public place), or a wireless microphone, that is NOT considered broadcasting.

I've actually been considering attempting to get an RSS123 license to launch an information service for Osprey Village (a strata of shops and townhouses) where I live. But I might be able to use RSS210 instead (there might be fewer restrictions). I could also use BETS-1, of course, but for various reasons I didn't want to call this a broadcast undertaking. I'm just not sure if 100uv/m @ 30 meters will give me the coverage that I need to ordinary radios, particularly if I locate the transmitter indoors.

As for harmonizing the rules between Canada and the U.S., I believe that that would be a good idea, and a great argument on a petition. It still won't give many the kind of coverage they would want - maybe 100-200 meters to an ordinary, good radio. And that's line of sight, no obstructions.

656.168 feet to an ordinary Radio is probably going to give you a mile to a good car Radio if you were to put that transmitter on a pole and a waterproof case about 10 feet in the air. It would have to be experimented with. Range on FM is really funny even at Pirate levels in the USA like 5 Watts to a low gain antenna like a magnet mount on the pole about 20 Ft up in the air. That covers 2 miles in one direction and about 1 1/4 mile in the other from folks I know who has done it.

Most folks will have trees and other obstructions that FM does not do well with. Whereas AM some of these obstructions are ignored especially if you run carrier current. I've learned this being a big fan of FM and seeing some of the videos of what AM would do in areas whereas FM will fail (even at Pirate levels in the USA). In fact there are situations whereas a compliant part 15 AM station can beat a Pirate FM transmitter at 5-7 Watts (I never thought I'd say that) but I can tell you from people I know its true.

At least in a shopping center or a complex 600 Ft from end to end you stand a good chance for clear FM signals according to what I see for BETS-1 and indeed can be usable in the right environment. This low power stuff is funny and does not act the same as commercial broadcasting. What you expect and what you get are not always in line with each other.

From my experience, even if mounted up high, there's no way you'll get a mile range from BETS-1. I managed to get up to 1km from a super sensitive car radio in just the right spot - more typically 500 meters. And like I said, I could get several hundred meters to a good portable radio (which just about covered Artisan Square).

Broadcasting in Canada IS a grey area. I think to be considered not broadcasting, you have to be in a public place that has well defined borders, such as an arena, or park, or tourist attraction. Osprey Village is a stata consisting of storefronts, along with some residential above the storefronts. And the intent I believe is also important - an information service, as an example, would not be considered general broadcasting. Of course, you can do a lot with an information service, as there are no restrictions as to what you do between the service announcements (since it's not considered broadcasting, the CRTC isn't involved).  I suspect, though, that at the end of the day, an Industry Canada Spectrum Manager would be the final judge as to whether something would be considered broadcasting or not.

I'm not entirely sure what license covers RSS123, and the application cost.  I will be contacting Industry Canada and will publish that info when I have it.