FCC Goes After "Hobby" Broadcasters

[lastone]

Here is an e-mail I received from Jim Green. Jim operated 'flea power', "hobby" transmitters for many years.
Looks like the days of the "Hobbycaster" are over!
He does not state what section of the law he violated. (Could it be simply that he used made up call lettters?)
What makes this most interesting is that these transmitters are the same as used in "storecasting" and many commercial "infocasting" operations.
Some of the AMs have a range of a city block.
I have read in Radio World where there are 'networks' of these in some citys and they have many customers.
I do not know if his web streams were "legal" (paying royalties), or what those would have to do with the transmitters.
The e-mail :

Attention all programs and hosts.
Effective April 15th, Green Broadcast Media, and all its stations have ceased transmissions under direct order from the Federal Communications Commission.
On April 15th, the FCC conducted a "raid" on the studios of Q100, and Mighty 1650 (KTRX). All The Broadcasting equipment was seized. Including the FCC Compliant transmitters.
Q100 and Mighty 1650 (KTRX-TalkRadioX) were taken off the air and ordered to cease and desist all transmissions.

All the websites are already gone, as are the online streams.

Thank You,
Alex (Jim) Green

[genlock]

Green Broadcast Media, and all its stations have ceased transmissions

How many "stations" did this guy have?

I don't think that the part 15 rules foresaw someone erecting a network of flea power transmitters for profit.
Look for FCC to look long and hard at other part 15 "networks.

[lastone]

This young man only had the two. An AM and FM. His web site had photos of them. Both were just 'boxes' with an antenna sticking up.

I have read in several publications about the 'networking' and companies being formed for 'info advertising' for business and towns using these things.

As I remember it, the network mentioned was in NY or NJ, and included these 'flea' transmitters along with pirate FM transmitters all over the place. They were shut down because of the 'pirates'.

I have also read how to make money "storecasting" with these things.

These "FCC Type Accepted" transmitters can cost as much as $400.

There are websites devoted to the 'flea power' "Hobby" casters that tell you it's legal, but then there's a whole list of things you're told not to do like: replace the antenna with a long wire; Connect to a driven ground or water pipe: extend the length of the antenna: try to add a 'booster'.etc., etc..

Time to re-write the rules?

[Mike]

Guess it's good I've not fired up my 50 watt AM LPB in over 7 years...

[the jive talkin one]

"Flying Dutchman" Jim Schneider told me one time that as a teenager, he ran a little radio station out of his basement that broadcast to his neighborhood in Ashland, along with his brother Stewart (who was to become a noted local attorney and prosecutor) and Elliot Gehringer (a k a Gregg Elliot).

[lastone]

I did the same thing in 66-67. Back then there was a three tube "phono oscillator" you could buy from Laffayett (sp) Electronics.

I hooked a mic stand to it in the front yard....had a range of about a mile on a car radio.

Me and my friends played 'radio' for nearly a year. WBHS (We're Barboursville High School). It ended when the phone rang off the hook with requests. Mom got tired of it! LOL

The next year someone else tried it across town. But he made a 'rombic' antenna out of his garage celing and put the signal next to KEE (800).

He was busted within a month.

[lastone]

And now "the rest of the story".....

In a 'hobby blog' post the young man in question told in some 'detail' what happened to him.

He had changed format and got noticed....what he wanted to do.

He had also connected an antenna to the 'legal' FM transmitter and put it in the attic.

He had found, and used a transmitter that was not type accepted and put out more than Part 15 power.

The parents cut off the web streams.

All transmitters, including the Part 15 AM, were taken by the FCC.

I guess because of his age, he (his parents) wasn't fined or the FCC action publicly aknowleged.

I wonder how many other 'hobbycasters' step over the line but don't get noticed?