ALPB MEETING 19 APRIL 2014

In recent conversations here in the forums we began questioning whether "intentional radiator stations" operating under Part 15 are, in legal fact, "broadcast stations."

Looking in the definitions sections in two areas of FCC Rules, I was surprised to find that NO difinition is given for the term "Broadcast" in either...

Part 15.3 - "Definitions", or, Part 73.14 AM "Broadcast Definitions."

The closest thing I have found is this definition from 73.14...

"AM Broadcast Station - A broadcast station LICENSED for the dissemination of radio communication intended to be received by the general public."

Obviously we are not licensed and so are not included as "Broadcast Stations" within FCC definition.

THEREFORE I intend to bring the question of defining "broadcast" before the ALPB, where perhaps we can attach our own "Definitions Section" to the existing Charter, beginning with our own rationally derived conclusion that our Part 15 stations are in real fact "broadcast stations."

Arguments pro and con are welcome and we hope you join this noble effort.

The preceeding fuss over whether Part 15 stations are "broadcasters" is still unsettled, but here are some guideposts:

1.  I am personally determined to prove that we are broadcasters, but I lack the evidence to do so;

2.  The idea of adding a "Definitions" section to the ALPB Charter is probably overkill, since "broadcasting" would be the only term defined.

I just skimmed through the Charter looking for other terms worthy of defining, and nothing jumped out.

See what you think...

http://thealpb.com/Assets/Documents/ALPB%20MISSION%20STATEMENT.pdf

Notice how excellent our "Mission Statement" is, as arrived at by the entire group giving and taking.

The ALPB makes you smarter than you are.

I seem to be the only person in the world commenting in this forum, but one is better than none.

It is with great excitement that I tell you WE ARE BROADCASTERS!

Yes, we are limited to 100milliWatts, but stay tuned...

broad-cast, adj.

1. cast or scattered in all directions;

2.  made public by means of radio;

3.  of or relating to radio broadcasting;

4.  to scatter or sow (as seed) broadcast;

5.  to make widely known;

6.  to transmit as a broadcast;

7.  to speak or perform on a broadcast program;

8.  to or over a broad area;

9.  a single radio program.

- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.

All night victory party will take place next door to Rich(P)'s End 80 Radio place.

Well Carl, more would probably join in but just as I have discovered there is no specific definition for "broadcasting" easily found (if at all) when searching the FCC website.

There is a plethora of information related to broadcasting but no specific definition.

So, how does one decide if we Part 15 and other unlicensed station operators are broadcasting?  I suppose your approach based on descriptions found in a dictionary should apply.  

Amateur radio stations, generally speaking, are not allowed to "broadcast" where "broadcast" relates to one-way transmissions.  There are a few special exceptions the FCC has allowed the Amateur operators such as beacon transmitters.  These are one-way transmissions relegated to the "broadcast" of an identifier.  These transmissions are usually for test purposes.

So, it would seem the FCC implies that to "broadcast" amounts to a one-way transmission to be received at multiple locations regardless of the content.

Our license free transmissions are one-way, intended to be received at multiple locations so it would seem we are indeed broadcasting.

Well, Mister Chairman MRAM, it seems we agree that we are broadcasters and I expect the membership to fall in line at tonight's Meeting in unanimously finding in our favor.

Politics can get interesting at times.