FCC Won’t Raise Unlicensed Power Levels for Churches (RW)

FCC Won’t Raise Unlicensed Power Levels for Churches

Rep. Green posed it as a question of protecting exercise of religious freedom

By Paul Mclane ⋅September 16, 2020

Churches in the United States should not look to the Federal Communications Commission
to ease power restrictions on unlicensed radio signals that many churches now use to
reach congregations.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has replied to a letter from Rep. Mark Green. The congressman
from Tennessee sought pandemic waivers for houses of worship to transmit signals
exceeding power levels allowed under Part 15 of the rules.

As Radio World has reported, COVID-19 has caused a great spike in interest by churches
and other organizations to use FM and AM radio to reach people who wish to gather and
yet stay physically spread out.

Because broadcast licenses are so hard to come by, unlicensed Part 15 systems naturally
have attraction; but their effective coverage is limited.

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“I understand that this makes it more challenging for churches during this difficult time,
but I want to emphasize that there are options available,” Pai continued.

“Churches can contact local broadcast stations to see if any would be willing to air their
weekly services. ...... Churches also could explore using multiple Part 15 devices to cover
a larger area if they continue to provide ‘drive-in’ style services.

“Or churches could look into ‘call-to-listen’ services where congregants would only need
a phone to hear the service. Finally, if congregants have access to broadband at home,
there are multiple, free streaming services that could be used (and have been used
across the country).”

Representative Green must have been in contact from some constituents of his, churches or maybe parishioners wanting a better signal in the parking lot.

I see that FCC Chairman Pai gives some logical reasons for not being in favor of a change for churches, but really, how could he even entertain the idea of favoring them, when church use is under Part-15, which any citizen can use equally. I don't see why he answered that way, unless he wanted to try to close the discussion. I like the idea of recommending multiple Part-15 devices in a network for more signal. People in Part-15 radio have questioned how legal that might be. He could have suggested that if churches need more range, that they could lobby to have the Part-15 rules upgraded.

In fact, Canada allows several times the broadcast power on FM, and things seem to be working there, to maybe church petitioners could push for alignment with Canadian FM field strength rules.

I don't think it's a trick to get more power and establish a broadcast service through a back door, it seems like a simple, 'we need a little extra oomph across our lot' or maybe to reach portables. I saw a local church holding services in their parking lot with folding chairs, and there, some could use phones or portable radios to receive the audio a hundred feet away without a loud PA in the neighborhood.

I'm all in favor of using AM with 10 foot antenna, that's full local signal strength at 300 feet, with a simple whip antenna on a stand, almost all cars have AM radios, and portable radios are available at low cost. That way you're not on an FM band packed with so many broadcasters, and AM radio is just fine for voice, like the pastor's message.

Electronics developers are working on making specific systems for churches and other outdoor uses during Covid. Here's one called Parking Lot Radio"

parkinglotradio.com/

They're in the last stage of getting their transmitter approved.


Boomer