Dear Fellows in Part15-ism:
Dear Fellows in Part15-ism:
Long stretches go by with little activity here on part15.us, perhaps a summer phenomenon, but I hereby call for a rise to… no, not arms, but, new dedication to this delicate art we share.
Previously I have asked whether someone might launch a regular radio program series on Part 15 as a hobby, a technology and a tremendous social tool. Nothing has arisen.
I hope I don’t end up being the one who ends up doing a weekly show on Part 15, especially now that they’re talking about cutting social security, and there’s a maxim we should remember: there are no homeless part 15ers.
But I will if it comes down to it. I will launch a little show about the great cultural opportunity we hold in our hands. If this happens, if I do a show, I will be interviewing everybody who manufactures or employs the Part 15 devices. What will be the objective?
An objective we should all have, everyday, whether on a radio program or just part of life, to promote the hobby art and find new recruits who can ignite their own micro-message and carry the medium into avenues, drives, streets and boulevards.
I do not preach religion. I preach Part 15!
I preach Part 15?
Are you proposing to advance the use of the technical standards of Part 15 of the FCC rules…or the use of intentional radiators as outlets for micro community broadcasting?
Even though they are connected by the ability to broadcast a signal without a license (not a part of Part 15), “igniting their own micro message” is a much different focus which has led to increase scrutiny by government inspectors in the most recent past.
Larger city’s airwaves are replete with hundreds, if not thousands, of over-power unlicensed signals as people give short shrift to the FCC, its rules and its enforcement division. In short, the risk is worth the possible penalty.
Even though the FCC recognizes its inability to stifle public opinion or dissenting community discussion, it has been able to use its technical rules to throw a wet blanket over the “dreams” of micro community broadcasters.
It has been my experience that there are 2 distinct camps in Part 15 unlicensed AM and FM usage. There are the micro community broadcasters who focus on program content and service to listeners, and the “hobby-ist” who tinkers with the technology required to produce a signal in their antique radios or provide an audio signal around their home, business or property. And yes, there are the cats that wear both sets of stripes.
Radio, in general, has been considered “an art” since nearly its discovery. It is supported by science, but the commodity that makes radio work are the operators and the listeners; people. Machines (studios, MP3 players, ect and transmitters) are used to facilitate the message produced and consumed by…people.
So, you may be preaching Part 15 to the proverbial choir. Preach on! Ignite those you can. And forget the ones you can’t. Preach on!
Dissecting the Preach
Dear Marshall Johnson, Sr., and all interested parties:
I had fun with the “preach” format as a way of drumming my message, and I might just as easily have used advertising copy to promote the idea.
I know this is the website of the choir, but who better to recruit to “spread the word” about what a great hobby is made possible under Part 15. It seems to me there are plenty of people who would love to start home radio stations and enjoy all the associated support crafts, but they need to hear about it and get drawn into it.
Radio in itself is a medium, not an art, but the medium provides a framework for expressing artistic thoughts, and to some the “art” is the pride of precise engineering.
I wouldn’t want to see any of the Part 15 equipment providers shut their doors, but they need steady sales to keep business alive, and I hope we can find ways to help sell.
Everything about my message embraces the rules as they are, no piracy or civil disobedience.