• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Part15

Part15

License Free, legal, low-power radio broadcasting

  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Resources
  • Members
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
Forums
Main Category
temp
Part 15 in Canada
 
Notifications
Clear all

Part 15 in Canada

 
temp
Last Post by Anonymous 15 years ago
3 Posts
2 Users
0 Reactions
499 Views
RSS
 NounosSon
(@nounosson)
Posts: 16
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Does anyone know what the power and range limit is for part 15 broadcasting in Canda on the FM and AM bands.


 
Posted : 24/03/2011 4:01 am
 Anonymous
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

Google results supply this..

http://lowpowerradio.blogspot.com/2011/03/oh-canada-very-friendly-to-low-power.html


 
Posted : 24/03/2011 4:48 am
 Anonymous
(@Anonymous)
Posts: 0
 

I have operated low power FM, meeting BETS-1 regulations, for several years on Bowen Island, BC. The article pointed to is correct, except that the math is a bit suspect - the field strength allowed in Canada is 4 times greater than that of the U.S. Maximum theoretical range is in the 1 km range (line of sight to the antenna, sensitive car radio as a receiver), but you'll likely get 1/2 km or less in most practical situations.

AM is another matter; it's pretty much a dog's breakfast, with a lot of confusion. If you're NOT broadcasting (which is what most of us here do), then the rules are pretty much the same as in the U.S.). You're allowed 100mw input to the final stage of your transmitter. Exactly what broadcasting is considered to be is not defined.

However, if you ARE broadcasting, then you have to follow the BETS-1 regulations, which defines field strength limits of 250uv/m at 30 meters. This effectively makes lower power AM broadcasting in Canada ineffective, as you're not going to get much range at all.

Unfortunately, the manufacturers of low power AM equipment tend to ignore the Canadian issue of broadcasting (probably because Canada is such a small market).

I'd recommend downloading copies of the appropriate BETS documents (BETS-1, BETS-5, BETS-6) and reading them carefully. In addition, you want to go the CRTC (intrepid guardians of Canadian radio programming) website and get the details of the CRTC license exemptions for transmitters meeeting the BETS guidelines - the blog referenced leaves a few things out, such as the programming has to meet CRTC guidelines for appropriate content (i.e., none of the 'isms - sexism, racism, etc.).

The CRTC also reserves the right to demand that any broadcaster get an appropriate CRTC license, regardless of whether they're meeting the BETS guidelines or not. Depending on the market you're in, that could either be relatively easy, or almost impossible.

Be careful in reading the 2nd link referenced. There are a number of technical errors in it. In addition, to be legal in Canada, your transmitter needs to be certified for BETS use - the only one I am aware of that meets the guidelines is the Decade MS-100. In my opinion, you should use the mono version, as I've found that broadcasting in mono gives you increased range. However, there have been numerous discussions about this in the Forum - you can search them out and make up your own mind.


 
Posted : 24/03/2011 6:53 am
Forum Jump:
  Previous Topic
Next Topic  
Share:
Forum Information
Recent Posts
Unread Posts
Tags
  • 13 Forums
  • 7,613 Topics
  • 62.8 K Posts
  • 16 Online
  • 2,243 Members
Our newest member: RaphaelKal
Latest Post: Jelly Roll Blues
Forum Icons: Forum contains no unread posts Forum contains unread posts
Topic Icons: Not Replied Replied Active Hot Sticky Unapproved Solved Private Closed

Primary Sidebar

Online Members

 No online members at the moment

Recent Posts

  • RichPowers

    RE: Public Domain Radio

    Sounds good.

    By RichPowers , 5 months ago

  • ArtisanRadio

    RE: Public Domain Radio

    I'd also like at some point to do a show, hosted by mys...

    By ArtisanRadio , 5 months ago

  • ArtisanRadio

    RE: Public Domain Radio

    When I played music that was not in the public domain, ...

    By ArtisanRadio , 5 months ago

  • RichPowers

    RE: Public Domain Radio

    The core concept of Part 15 AM has always been to provi...

    By RichPowers , 5 months ago

  • RichPowers

    RE: Public Domain Radio

    √1 - I guess there's not, but the potential exist, so f...

    By RichPowers , 5 months ago

Recent Topics

  • RichPowers

    Innovative "Syth-a-Sette" Turns Objects Into Music

    By RichPowers 5 months ago

  • Mark

    Neil Sedaka dies.

    By Mark 5 months ago

  • RichPowers

    Elvis AI?

    By RichPowers 5 months ago

  • RichPowers

    CB RADIO: Illinois CBer cited for 'broadcasting' on Channel 19

    By RichPowers 5 months ago

  • RichPowers

    Stamped pits vs organic dyes: CDs vs CD-R

    By RichPowers 5 months ago

Topic Tags

  • Carl Blare3
  • KDX RADIO3
  • WINDOZE3
  • Transmitter2
  • Radio Phvern2
  • station upgrade2
  • archive.org2
  • playlist2
  • Zara Radio2
  • Carrier Current1
View all tags (74)

Copyright © 2026 · Part15.org · Log in

‹›×

    ‹›×