Radio Equipment....

[killabeas]

Alright....I hope this fits in this forum, but considering I don't know the first thing about radio equipment, I suppose it is highly technical for me.

This may sound completely off the wall, but what kind of funds, and technical know-how would it take for someone to start a small radio station? I remember hearing something about the FCC passing a new bill a couple years back that allowed stations under 100 watts to operate without any kind of licensing. I would try to get all used equipment and everything, and would be running it from a spare computer. I know very little about home stereos and a whole lot less about radio equipment. If anyone knows anything, or has any links, or even knows a place you could buy radio equipment for cheap (I'm on a college student budget here).

-Thanks in Advance

 

[dkozloski]

The more knowledge you have, and thus the more you can do yourself, the cheaper it will be. A good place to start would be to recruit someone that has the required expertise. Any advanced radio amateur could have you set up and going in a matter of days for next to nothing with all the junk a dedicated afficiando would have laying around the "ham shack". Try posting a notice of your intent on the local bulletin boards and see what developes.

 

[JustinLerner]

I know a little about the FCC and very little about the process of getting a radio station, but I know it's more complicated than just stated or even $$$. It is illegal to setup and broadcast on any frequency without the proper FCC license. Ham Radio is not the same as public radio. I'm not sure of any of the newer regulations for the very low power radio stations as proposed, but I would guess that, yes any knowledgable Ham operator could recommend and setup the equipment for you, but I still don't know if a FCC General Radio License tech is required for such a station. Most of the following info applies to regular stations and I don't how or if FCC regs differ between regular AM/FM stations and the new low power frequencies.

The FCC distributes frequencies (radio/TV) based upon a few different criteria. Often frequency interference studies must be completed to determine if a frequency can be used in a particular area. I think one of the most important to the FCC still is what is called service to the public interest. In the 80's this was deemphasized, but it is now again a primary concern -- how does/will your station service the public and is there sufficient interest/need for the station? (Surveys, analysis?)

That aside, I just saw in the news where a non-profit religious group out in in the middle of some rural area couldn't purchase a bankrupt radio station because of municipal restrictions -- they wanted to shut it down although the facility was in good shape.

If you want to build your own station, you need even more money. A station must file a construction permit and after it is built and shows that it is operating as it proposed, it can be granted a license for 7 years. Other things to consider: an FCC licensed and certified technician must be associated with the station (for maintenance). Radio stations can have different types of operational criteria, like time of day, channels, subsidiary services like multiplexing, translators (think of as a repeater).

Overall, a school/college/university is more likely to be able to fund and setup a standard station than an individual without the backing of some group.

I shouldn't hurt to try. Check the FCC website for more info and look for experienced Ham operators with FCC GROL to help you out.

 

[dkozloski]

Justin Lerner is correct, the FCC requires licences and permits unless we are talking really low power like a range of 100 yards. Go to the FCC site and do a search on low power FM. I have a General Radio Operators license but it does you no good. My intent on mentionong radio amateurs was not to suggest that you operate on the ham bands but that it would be someone who would have some technical expertise and some equipment.

 

[IGBT]

Don't forget to conduct your federal mandated, FCC required RF field evaluation to determine controlled and uncontrolled field strength. Depending on the outcome, changes in the antenna, feed line and RF power may need modification to comply with FED.regulations concerning RF emissions. Depending on the outcome, warning signs may need to be posted and barriers erected to minimize proximity access to the antenna. The results of the test are to be keept on site with the station equipment for FCC evaluation in the event of an FCC inspection.

 

[dkozloski]

As a practical matter, the FCC quit monitoring the radio spectrum in a general way many years ago and now responds only to complaints or special circumstances. My guess is that if you started up a very, very, low power, non-commercial station it would take years for them to discover you unless you were some kind of an interference problem or other nuisance.

 

[davesaudio]

that was 100mw (milli-watts) wasn't it? 100W is a lot of interference potential
have you already gone the "ramsey electronics FM Xmitter kit the bedroom" route?

 

[davesaudio]

here is a quick start

linky one

google= pirate radio, diy etc