Whether you are a broadcasting veteran or NEW to Part 15 Radio, Welcome!
Our name ‘part15.org’ is derived from the particular section of regulations that govern low power, license free broadcasting in the United States. However, license free broadcasting is permitted in many other countries, and our membership is truly global.
We welcome everyone from anywhere to join our forum, share knowledge and ask questions.
What is Low Power, Legal, License Free Radio?
Around the world, governments manage their radio spectrum, and have policies in place to ration a limited number of frequencies for broadcasting. Anyone wishing to broadcast must obtain a license from their government, by meeting specific regulations, and usually paying for that right.
Some locales, however, do allow license free broadcasting, with strict rules designed to limit range. These rules are varied and can include restrictions on field strength, input or output power, antenna length, etc. Interference to other, licensed entities is also not allowed.
Most countries also have some sort of transmitter approval process in place for these low power devices, that allows them to be marketed and purchased.
It is the responsibility of the users of such devices to ensure that they follow the regulations applicable for their location.
Summary of the Canadian rules: http://artisanradio.hopto.org/canregs.html
Summary of the USA/FCC Rules:
https://www.geocities.ws/raiu_harrison/mwa/part15faq.html
A question commonly asked is how far do you go?
It should be noted that any estimations of distance is largely dependent on the receiver quality as much as transmitter power or field strength. e.g. the same approved transmitter install can yield different results with different radios.
License free operation permitted in other parts of the world.
| Canada | FM devices may not exceed a field strength of 100 microvolts at 30 meters. AM devices are limited to 250 microvolts at 30 meters. All devices in Canada must have an antenna permanently attached to the transmitter. See Industry Canada BETS-1. Canada RSS-210 which is not for “broadcasting” to the general public is identical to FCC part15 for AM and FM bands. For broadcasting, e.g. neighbourhood radio station, you need BETS-1. |
| CEPT nations including the European Union | FM falls under the “Wireless Audio” provisions of CEPT/ERC/REC 70-03 which calls for a maximum 50 nanowatt (0.00000005 watts) maximum ERP. Russia restricts transmitters to enclosed locations such as buildings and vehicles. There are no provisions for AM. |
| Australia | FM is limited to 10 microwatts. See ACMA Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class License 2015. |
| Federated States of Micronesia | Same standards as FCC part 15. |
| Japan | AM and FM is limited to 500 microvolts per meter at 3 meters under a blanket regulation for all spectrum below 322 MHz. See MIC Regulation of the Extremely Low Power Radio Station (English).  Our interpretation of the law also states that devices must bear the Technical Conformity Mark in order to be legally used in Japan. |
| Brunei | FM: 60 dBuV/m at 10 meters. AM: 57 dBuV/m at 3 meters. |
| China | FM: 3 milliwatts ERP. 84~87 MHz allowed 10 milliwatts ERP. Type acceptance required. |
| Hong Kong | None specified. |
| South Korea | 500 microvolts per meter at 3 meters. (similar to Japan) |
| Malaysia | FM: 50 mW EIRP |
| Mexico | Any short range device used within Mexico must be certified by the Instituto Federal de Telecommunicaciones (IFT). Based on an REC consultation with IFT in 2016, it is not clear whether IFT will certify a short range device on 88~108 MHz or in the AM band for use in Mexico. Unlike in the CEPT areas and other jurisdictions, Mexican documentation on short range devices does not address the broadcast bands. Due to the lack of a specific standard for short range devices in the broadcast bands, we must also assume there is a prohibition on “home brew” devices. Our consultation will continue and we will update if new information surfaces. |
| New Zealand | “Audio senders” are allowed 0.00002 mW EIRP on 88-108 MHz. There is also an unrestricted allocation on 107-108 MHz for 25 mW EIRP. This is not to be confused with New Zeland’s LPFM General User License that allows stations to broadcast up to 1 watt EIRP on specified spot frequencies in the FM band without having to obtain a broadcast license. |
| Philippines | Neither broadcast band is specifed in Philippines NTC regulations on short range devices therefore suggesting that use of such devices is prohibited in the country. |
| Singapore | AM: 57 dBuV/m at 3 meters. FM: 60 dBuV/m at 10 meters. |
| Vietnam | FM: 3 microwatts ERP |
| Kingdom of Tonga | FM: 10 microwatts. |