Ok, I have a guy who currently he has a unit that broadcast from a home to the street for potential customer's wanting info on an AM band. And yes, he sells real estate. He want's to put it on a car and make it mobile for another use.

Question : will this violate fcc reg's on it's current use or will it require a licence to broadcast ect ?

kv

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I don't know what the rules are in the US but it sounds like he's breaking them.

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The device should have an FCC sticker on it. Just look up what the conditions of use are under whatever FCC code it was approved. If it doesn't have a sticker, it is possibly illegal anyway. John

 

The US rules have specific guidelines about what an unlicensed transmitter can do. Most of it is in "47 CFR part 15". AM radio band is in paragraph 15.219. But the basic idea is you may not interfere with anyone, you may not complain if someone interferes with you, and a useful signal to about 300 feet is probably legal.

This is a layman's summary, if you need the actual rules follow the pointer.

 

Assuming it is legal in the first place*, the FCC doesn't care about the specific use it is put to, so moving it from being a real estate advertising transmitter to being something else in a car is OK. They do require that the unit continues to meet the technical requirements, which were met by the builder of the unit (presumably), and that the total length of all the wire coming out of the unit (including antenna, ground lead and transmission lines) not exceed 3 meters in length. As mentioned, you are always subject to the part 15 commandment: "thou shalt not interfere with a licensed service" so choose your AM frequency carefully to not transmit over top of a regular AM station.

* if there is no FCC statement on the label or in the user manual, it is probably not "legal" anyway, in which case your question is moot.

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RadioRon

 

I did some talking and the device sold to real-estate people has some trouble when ever someone come into contact with the antenna and has to be re-adjusted I think maybe it would jumping all over the bands. We also found a company on the internet that sells a device that is sold to truckers or trucking company's advertising their products. Cost may out way benefit.

Edit: Thanks to Everyone.

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If the transmitter is FCC "type approved" as a mobile device that's one thing. That would cover handhelds and mobiles mounted in vehicles, ships, aircraft, and other airborne items. Stationary, or "fixed location transmitters" are "type approved" as such and are licensed with the intentions that they remain at a specific location (for a variety of reasons).
Thusly, I would assume a xmttr. designed and used specifically for real estate sales is expected to remain stationary, even though technically it's a temporary location until the realtor determines its relocation... making it "sort of mobile", but in reality, again classified as "fixed location". It's a gray area and if it were me, I would err on the side of caution, by not using it as a truly mobile device.

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Oh contrare! The FCC very much cares about specific usage of transmitters. Emission type, location and surrounding terrain, effective radiated power, and antenna length/height are critical points that are calculated in the formula for labeling the TYPE ACCEPTANCE by the FCC. Basically, different rules for different applications.

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I should have been more clear that my comments began with the assumption that the device falls under part 15 rules as an intentional radiator. The short range being used gave me that impression. If the device is not a part 15 device, then I agree with you.

PS: the correct spelling is "au contraire!"

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RadioRon

 

That's if you're French!
BTW, I'd rather be incorrect for misspelling a French phrase than incorrect on assuming a transmitter can be put to any use my whims so desire.

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You forgot to say Nee ner nee ner na na

 

More like nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!

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Getting back to the heart of the matter. I have found one that meets the required chapter 15 the only problem is the installation part is to meet all design specs antenna wire chassis ect. Nothing that would permit walking or cross band or distance limitations.

However, this thing is about $700.00 us. Then it has to be installed by a licensed Contractor.

Venturing into about $1500.00 Total including any printing to be done to show the Channel location.

Sounds like to me not enough bang for the buck.(American Phrase) Cost prohibitive.

How about this : When your outgo exceeds your income. Your upkeep is your downfall.

But this has been an eye opener for me. I didn't know how complicated it would be. Nor the cost of such a Venture.

I really do appreciate the Contributions. kv

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Paragraph 15.23 allows for a person to build up to five devices for his own use, employing "good engineering practices to meet the specified technical standards to the greatest extent practicable." It doesn't require certification.

Parts cost for such a home built unit of low quality can be as little as two dollars (exclusive of battery). You can buy kits for ten dollars and upwards. The $700 price is crazy, as is the licensed contractor requirement.

 

For his own use, not commercial broadcasting. Even if 'his own use' is to commercially broadcast it does not grant him the rights to do so, as he's reaching out to other people which is not personal use. You could gloss over this if say broadcasting on licensed FM bands to transmit personal audio through the air to a personal listening device (like a car radio as many part 15 compliant devices are capable of) but the same could not be said for broadcasting the same signal with the intent to broadcast it to other people for ANY purpose, commercial or otherwise. In general if it comes down to court a court will rule against an individual in these manners if there's obviously no truly practical personal use and there is a higher degree of likelihood that the device was intended for public broadcast. It's going to be very hard to prove that a device was designed for personal use if it uses more than a couple milliwatts of power, unless it's under a legal license.
All that said, the FCC doesn't usually have goon squads out, anyone intending to broadcast over the air should keep these rules and guidelines and do whatever they can to avoid polluting the air with unintended broadcasts.

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