The lowest power the FCC will license is 1W. If going above a certain HAAT would cause a transmitter to need less than 1W compared to a given reference facility, the FCC would not license above that HAAT. The FCC admits the FM band is full in most large markets. They are considering a 250 mile translator move waiver to help AM stations. The argument they gave that rural translators will not be depleted by moving them into cities is most large market cities don’t have room on the FM dial for translators to be moved in. http://www.broadcastlawblog.com/2015/10/articles/moving-fm-translators-250-miles-to-rebroadcast-an-am-station-what-the-fcc-is-considering-as-part-of-its-am-revitalization-proceeding/
So, if the smallest thing the FCC will permanently license is a 1W or higher ERP, and the FCC does not think there is room for many translator move ins into large markets without interference to other FM stations in those markets, to me, any sort of part 15 field strength increase looks unlikely. The FCC will think about “how will action X affect the large markets” because the large markets are where the money is.
Without some safeguard for licensed users, any request for increase over current 15.239 levels will not get far (see GPS/database/internet suggestion in post 9).
I have been thinking about the same thing, stvcmty.
Being here in a major metropolitan area it is becoming harder to find blank FM channels as more and more LPTV and translator transmitters have gone up on nearby tall towers.
In Elizabeth Town, North Carolina, The Legacy is even more seriously crowded off the band because so many large cities are clustered near each other.
But by contrast huge amounts of open space exist in the thousands of smaller cities and rural areas out in the countryside.
Unfortunately the government has a long tradition of treating everyone according to the lowest common denominator, because it's less work for them.
If the FCC were more inclined to provide service to all people and not just rich ones, they would have tiers of power levels for small licensed and unlicensed stations, so that people in less populated areas could take better advantage of the frequency spectrum in their area.
Perhaps the future will bring changes as many of the stations now bleeding money will go out of business as radio becomes overshadowed by web media, opening spectrum to our benefit.
I'm still waiting for the possible change in the rules for 87.7 and 87.9 Mhz but we won't know about that till the repack.
The FCC is busy auctioning and selling spectrum, but what do we know about it?
The Communications Act declares the electromagnetic spectrum as property of the public with the FCC as trustees, but the Commission is not presenting financial dislosures to we owners.
How much are they getting, what are the terms and agreements... for example will buyers pay monthly or annual amounts, or is it a one-time deal?
The big FCC bank account is being distributed how? Will it lower our tax bills?
Besides being lazy, they seem to be cashing in.
Once the spectrum is sold, the FCC will no longer exist.
The corporations will become self regulating with regard to THEIR spectrum.
Prove where I'm wrong.
Here is an idea that may work. What if we could start a hobby Radio club and get funds from donations. Next when 87.9 Mhz is up we BUY THAT FREQUENCY and only allow Hobby Radio operators to use it. We could also sell it to the part 15 transmitter manufacturers and have it at 1 Watt on that frequency. If we really wanted to stop trouble makers they would have to be in our club to get access to 87.9 Mhz. Hey I know its out there but could be be done if it was to be auctioned off and we have a nationally recognized club? You never know.
That is very good executive level thinking, TheLegacy.
When the FCC sees our suitcase full of money they won't care who we are.,