druidhillsradio said:The FCC in the real world allows power violations out the wazoo for commercial stations, so long as ther are not interference complaints. Stations authorized to run specific power is not enforced. Daytme power / nightime power not a problem. Tower lights not a problem. I live in the Tampa enforcement district. What goes on around here is a joke.
Just make sure you're not running a 1/2 watt LPFM!!! and...your AM ground lead is not to long!
No doubt about it, there are double standards at work here.
I just got back from visiting a small town that had a 10kW AM station. Two years ago, the owner lost his lease and was forced to go dark while he tore down his tower and studio. No doubt he was scrambling to find another site as the station was dark for some time.
In the end, the owner rebuilt the station in his home with a make-shift antenna in his backyard, and began broadcasting at what I estimate to be 100 watts. The station address in the FCC files was bogus. It's an abandoned building in another town.
Not once during this whole time did the owner file an STA or any paperwork with the Commission. And I highly doubt during that time he kept the station public files up to date or had his EAS equipment running.
Eventually, the FCC got wind of the situation and investigated. Ultimately, the owner received a slap-on-the-wrist fine of $3500.00 for not notifying the FCC that the TX site was moved. To this day, he still hasn't filed the correct address with the Commission.
Yet, someone can run an unlicensed 1/2 watt FM signal on an open channel and the FCC happily sends the person a $10,000.00 bill.
C5