In this letter to the editor, the author comments on Terry Cowan’s recent letter, “With Pirates, Sometimes a Threat Is Enough.” Comment on this or any article. Email [email protected].
Terry Cowan’s comments ring true when it comes to blatant pirate operators, but those who desire to comply with FCC Part 15 regulations can be led astray by copious misinformation from unvetted sources.
Terry mentioned an instance of Christmas lighting display whose accompanying FM transmitter had apparently exceeded the field intensity allowed under Part 15.239. I myself made it an exercise when I would came across light displays with FM audio that I’d check their signals with my Potomac FIM-71. Last year, out of three I discovered, only one had a signal which grossly exceeded Part 15 limitations.
I decided to approach the homeowner of the display whose FM signal was not Part 15 compliant. Much to their surprise, they had purchased one of the many Chinese imported transmitters from a popular online sales merchant. While it had a supposedly-valid FCC certification number on a sticker attached to the bottom, there was clear evidence that this device was non-compliant.
The biggest red flag was the very fact that the transmitter had a high and low power mode. If this transmitter were actually compliant it would not have variable power output nor would it have an antenna input connector, which would allow a consumer to attach any external antennas using commonly available RF connectors.
They admitted their rudimentary research misrepresented the legality of the device, which lead them to purchase it. Unfortunately, it’s too easy for some random person to spout nonsense where they convince unknowledgeable, unsuspecting people into believing their so-called “expert opinion” as actually fact. The end user won’t find out the error of their ways until an FCC field agent comes knocking on their door, or when they receive communications from their region’s Enforcement Bureau with the possibility of receiving a fine.
For more than 15 years I’ve operated both HobbyBroadcaster.net and CampusBroadcaster.net to provide technical and legal resources as well as transmitter field test evaluations for legal, FCC compliant Part 15 radio on the AM and FM broadcast bands for both academic endeavors or hobby related pursuits. I’m proud to not only have national organizations reference my site, but also many premiere broadcast industry manufacturers, including Inovonics, Wheatstone, Angry Audio and Information Station Specialists.
The proliferation of illegal, non-compliant FM transmitters, in addition to end users being misinformed about their legality, makes it too easy for folks unaware of Part 15 regulations to get on the air and interfere with local stations.
— Bill DeFelice, webmaster, HobbyBroadcaster.net
[Related: “Letter: Not All Pirate Radio Sweeps Are Created Equal“]
