How do I set up my own AM or FM broadcast radio station?

[kc0bus]

Hi,
How do I set up a simple, modest, beginner's style AM or FM broadcast band pirate radio base station? One good enough to cover just a few miles or so (maybe several miles at the most) in range? Also; what are the rules that such station operators go by? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[hill]

I guess if a pirate radio there are no rules

 

[KevinC]

I moved the thread to a somewhat more appropriate forum...sort of...

And advertising you are doing this AND having your callsign posted might not be a real good idea...but that's just me.

 

[zz0468]

Also; what are the rules that such station operators go by?

The law of the jungle?

 

[nd5y]

https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/low-power-radio-general-information
https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/lpfm
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title47/47cfr15_main_02.tpl
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title47/47cfr73_main_02.tpl

 

[cmdrwill]

§15.209 Radiated emission limits;

No more than 150 microvolts per meter at three meters.

 

[mmckenna]

Hi,
How do I set up a simple, modest, beginner's style AM or FM broadcast band pirate radio base station? One good enough to cover just a few miles or so (maybe several miles at the most) in range? Also; what are the rules that such station operators go by? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Wait.

You put your amateur call sign, which will give anyone who wants to look it up a general location of where you are.
You say you want to run a "pirate" radio station.
And you ask about what rules you should follow.

Seriously?

As cmdrwill said, Part 15 is what you need to look at if you want to do this and not get busted. You won't get a "few miles" from part 15.
If you want to ignore the rules, then run whatever the heck you want to. Lots of Chinese companies selling FM transmitters on e-Bay.

 

[ipfd320]

Hey (kc0bus)---I Really Think You Should Read This Tid Bit

https://www.fcc.gov/enforcement/orders/1846

as a General Class Holder use some Smarts Dont Put your License in Jeopardy--It Will Cost You Big Time in the End

 

[SteveSimpkin]

Certified Part 15 Low Power AM & FM Radio Transmitters:
https://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/resources/Part-15-transmitters.php

 

[N4GIX]

We use an RVR TEX300LCD/S LPFM transmitter each year at the Evanston, IL Fourth of July Fireworks on the lakefront to broadcast the music and commentary along the lakefront area. A special use permit is obtained from the FCC for this very time-limited event.

 

[nanZor]

If you do it - do it right

I found something that might interest you about part15 broadcasting:

https://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/

Helps you understand it better, so that you don't fall out of compliance and become a pirate due to ignorance.

Also this from the FCC:

https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/low-power-radio-general-information.

Has links with more extensive details on things like licensed LPFM stations and such.

 

[bharvey2]

There are some forms of unlicensed AM or FM stations that are permitted. (Well, maybe stations isn't the right word) I don't recall the exact distance but they're limited to a few hundred feet or less. Some examples are adapters that plug in to your Walkman (okay don't laugh, work with me guys) and transmit on an FM frequency and are received by your car radio. I suspect that the OP wants to go bigger than this but as far as I know, nothing larger would be license free.

 

[KB4MSZ]

Hi, i'm a licensed ham radio operator, how do I...

"set up a simple, modest, beginner's style AM or FM broadcast band pirate radio base station ……………………………………. good enough to cover just a few miles or so (maybe several miles at the most) in range...……….."


In all honesty, I almost fell out of my chair.

 

[jonwienke]

Let the OP do whatever he wants. I could use the company...

 

[Hans13]

Let the OP do whatever he wants. I could use the company...

LOL!

 

[bharvey2]

Let the OP do whatever he wants. I could use the company...

I suppose you were one of those kids who ate glue and ran with scissors too, huh? ;-)

 

[nanZor]

I simply think the original ops question was just poor wording, when in the end he's asking about what the rules are vs being a pirate. Perhaps in an attempt not to get roped into buying low-power crap that is definitely NOT part-15 compliant, or how to modify them so they are.

One real-world issue, is that even if you are squeaky-clean part-15 compliant, you may get tagged anyway, so be careful:

https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/distinguish-pirates-from-part-15-operators

But props for asking about the rules. Poor initial wording set off most amateur alarms, but I understand the real intent of the question.

In the end, if you want to go out beyond part-15 coverage areas, then the only option left is *licensed* LPFM.

Take a look at my local LPFM'er, KHUG as an example:

https://signalscv.com/2017/12/khug-looks-bring-scv-sound-community-rock-blues-radio-station/

Holy smokes! I just discovered another LPFM'er here in my backyard - country KZNQ. Good example:

https://www.qcountryscv.com/onair

If you take the time to *do it right*, you can provide a service to the community and not be an ignorant pest.