In the Noise

In the Noise No. 2

In "In the Noise No. 1" we made the point that Part 15 rules are more flexible than the rule literalists would have you think.

However, as citizens of a once great nation we do not get off that easily.

The FCC inspectors have the advantage of being able to apply their rules either flexibly or literally.

For example, in crowded New York City where open spaces on the dial are non-existent, the inspector will apply the rules literally to within a hair, whereas over at Slab City, California, inspections are highly unlikely because all the dials are wide open with no nearby licensed stations.

It only makes sense, and that's the one place the rule literalists fall flat.

Thoughts About Licensed Residents On the Dial

A very common claim gets made all the time... licensed stations may fear that part 15 stations are stealing listeners.

I'm not ready to pen a In the Noise commentary on that subject, but let's pick it apart...

I once knew a station manager that had never heard of several stations that are right next to his on the dial! He had been put in his job by corporate management and was clueless about radio. Part 15 radio would be way off his radar.

Program directors pay attention to ratings reports because their jobs depend on being near the top of the list, but the ratings services never mention part 15 activity, so program directors may not have small stations on their mind.

Station engineers, these days very probably contract engineers responsible for multiple stations, are the ones who would monitor the physical dial and possibly notice unlicensed activity and the one most likely to report it to the FCC. This wouldn't literally mean "the station" was concerned about losing audience... that part of the claim (I think) probably gets added by whomever passes the story around.

Part 15ers probably do more harm to themselves by adding imaginary details to their paranoid fears.

"What would make sense is opening an amateur licensed category for small professional radio stations of 1 to 5 Watts, but many of us wouldn't qualify for lack of technical skill."

Yes, I would agree that many license free, low power operators are simply that - operators.  These individuals have little or no knowledge of audio or RF equipment setup and maintenance.  But this is where they begin to learn, by experimenting.

Good point that the current rules set the level of intentional radiators low enough so as to mitigate interference to licensed services.  Be that as it may we still see FCC enforcement action.  Most are due to intentional misbehavior however there are still instances where "compliant" operators run into trouble.

Now, a license free low power shortwave amateur broadcast band would definitely separate the operation from commercial broadcast concerns.  And, why not require some type of "license" which would demonstrate some level of technical understanding?  Similar to the Amateur Radio Service, there could be license steps whereby as an individual can demonstrate higher levels of technical understanding so should their privileges be increased (read more power.)

The Amateur Radio Service has progressed to the point where the FCC permits the service to somewhat regulate itself with regard to approving licensing.  Volunteer Examiners are permitted to administer the license testing process.  Pass the test, get a license.  In this way the legitimacy of the testing process is validated.  Renewing an Amateur Radio license is free and I suppose the initial licensing is probably very low cost if not also free.

Details would have to be worked out regarding administering tests.  If there is no local "office" nearby for administering tests perhaps a proctor could witness the testing.  The test could be written and mailed or to speed up the process there could be an online testing procedure.

I like the idea of an amateur licensed shortwave broadcaster even if that limits the audience to those that listen to shortwave.

In the Noise No. 3

Noise is defined as unwanted sound, and that equates it with anything else unwanted, which would include sewage.

That's why I registered at the Sewer Hobby Website to explore any common ground we might have.

It turns out we have reason to work together, given the FCC rule allowing use of any power whatsoever inside caves and tunnels. I think I read that in the rules, and now would be a good time to know the section numbers to validate my idea, but just trust me.

50,000 watts into the sewer system of your city could make the difference between reception and rejection.

I've invited a member from the sewer site to join the next ALPB meeting, and she promised to think about it.