[AMRadio] AM power

Sun Jun 19 23:39:07 EDT 2011

In my years as a broadcast engineer, I got to rub elbows with FCC operatives
many times.  It was always cordial.  From that experience, I relate the
following:

On the West coast, at least the Southern part to include AZ and NV, the FCC
runs a custom pink metalflake Tahoe with an extensive array of antennas
under a fiberglass top, made to look like stock.  Nothing appears mounted on
top.  Tinted windows and fancy big mags finish off the look, like that of
some drug kingpin.  The idea is nobody will screw with it, nor ask
questions.  It is a rented vehicle, and carries a plain Calif. plate.

Pretty sneaky.

Inside, there is a bank of computers in the rear, with a dashboard replaced
with heads-up data displays.  It can take a look at any type of radio
communication, compare it to existing licenses, and give a directional
heading.  Modulation, frequency, and audition measurement happens with this
in real time up to several hundred miles away.

When it comes to hams, it doesn't roll unless there is a serious complaint,
usually about interference with Public Service radio or part 74 from 2m or
440.

Checking HF ops was never done (yet) by the field agent, as with the various
antenna and transmission powers checking at a distance would prove little.

In all the years this gent had worked for the Commission, he never called on
a ham QSA operating under 30 MHz.

YMMV.

73DG

On Sun, Jun 19, 2011 at 9:44 AM, Bernie Doran <qedconsultants at embarqmail.com
> wrote:

> Really! what was the last time you heard of them doing that?
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Neal Newman" <cozy659 at yahoo.com>
> To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service"
> <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 9:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [AMRadio] AM power
>
>
> YES THEY DO...
>
> --- On Sat, 6/18/11, Bob Macklin <macklinbob at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > From: Bob Macklin <macklinbob at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [AMRadio] AM power
> > To: ka4inm at tampabay.rr.com, "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur
> > Service" <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
> > Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011, 9:16 PM
> > Does the FCC still have Field
> > Engineers that can/will go out and check ham
> > stations?
> >
> > Bob Macklin
> > SAM8
> > Seattle, Wa
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Ron Youvan" <ka4inm at tampabay.rr.com>
> > To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service"
> > <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
> > Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 6:04 PM
> > Subject: Re: [AMRadio] AM power
> >
> >
> > > Rob Atkinson wrote:
> > >
> > > /*snip*/
> > >> So my agenda was to make a point, the point being
> > that the mythical
> > >> 375 watt power limit is 100% b.s. on two or three
> > levels, the first
> > >> being it's having a peak envelope power limit as
> > its basis, which is a
> > >> jackass rule since, for one thing, how is this
> > measured with precision
> > >> by an average ham.
> > >
> > >> Now we get to AM where measuring a carrier to meet
> > an exact numerical
> > >> requirement is basically impossible unless you are
> > at the NIST, and
> > >> measuring peak positive modulation with any
> > accuracy is impossible,
> > >> made more complex with asymmetric voices, which
> > most males have. We
> > >> can estimate; that's about it. If
> > the FCC were realistic, the rule
> > >> would provide a fudge factor like a figure +- 5 or
> > 10 % on carrier
> > >> power with a positive modulation limit of 150% and
> > forget the p.e.p.
> > >> crap. Most hams could stay under that
> > without a lot of fancy
> > >> measuring equipment.
> > >
> > > If you wish to be legal and push it
> > to the limit you can buy a peak
> > > reading Wattmeter.
> > > The 375 Watts is a "guide line" not any limit, it
> > tells you where you
> > > should be when setting up your
> > > output power. ( B 4 you start yelling CQ CQ CQ
> > CQ)
> > >
> > > The FCC allows broadcasters a +10%
> > and a -20% tolerances, but if your
> > > calibration is certain to
> > > only 5% your limits are -5% and - 15%.
> > >
> > > If the FCC gave HAMs a tolerances
> > factor HAMs would tend to over do
> > > everything by that much more,
> > > it's human nature.
> > > --
> > > Ron KA4INM - The man who sets out
> > to carry a cat by its tail learns
> > > something
> > >
> > that will always be useful and which never will grow
> > dim
> > > or doubtful.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > > Mark Twain.
> > >
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