Post by pirateman1 on Nov 30, 2008 20:51:17 GMT -6
Hey Guys I have a new question for ya? In my area the 87.5 to 87.9 frequencies are very quiet. I have heard in the past that these are not legal by FCC standards to use. I was planning on useing one of these frequencies probably 87.9. What shout I be aware of as far as interference goes? I do know that this is into the CH 6 TV band I think? What is your opinions Ideas? thanks Pirateman1
I have thought about testing the waters down on those frequencies also, but yes you could interfere with cable I think. I would suggest not broadcasting down there unless you are using only a few watts. If you run a lot of power you run the chance of getting caught easier because of the whole TV channel issue. I will admit though it's tempting because it's a low frequency it would be easier to get more RF output from simple TXs since most the cheap exciters run more power on lower frequencies and the lower channels do seem to have a lot less interference. Just try it with caution.
edit: I just did a google for 87.9, it looks like many lower powered FM pirates use the channel. I would worry though about the harmonics at 175.8 since it would be wide band it could wipe out some services if a good filter isn't used.
About the legal thing ... that was misshap on my wording I may try it. I am only thinking about running a couple of watts. I am curious at a quess how many miles could I possibly transmitt to on these frequencies with a antenna say in my attic. Could it yield pretty fair results as far as range. I live in a suburbian area. If I do broadcast on these frequencies I will be sure to have a low pass filter hooked up. Also there is a cable channel 6 in my area...hmmmm
If you are trying to choose between the 2 frequencies I'd go with 87.9, a lot of receivers wont tune down to 87.5. I am running on 87.9fm. But we also don't have a channel 6 here either. Another thing to keep in mind about this frequency is that its used for a lot of legal in car transmitters for mp3 players and such. I take that as a good thing because some people will hear me by accident, and hopefully will like what they hear. Luckily in my tests my station didn't drown out my mp3 transmitter when I tuned it to 87.9. Also another thing about this frequency that I notice is when I'm driving around in a spot where i don't get good coverage, I will pick up on those fm transmitters from other cars nearby. Sometimes its fun to hear what they are listening to, but most of the time its annoying.
Also another thing to think about with those frequencies, is the new DTV switchover. That frequency that was for channel 6 is going to be used for other things now.
Another interesting thing I read is that even for part 15 legal operations you're only suppost to use frequencies 92.1 to 107.9 as the FCC only allows much lower ERP levels (lower power output) for the educational/non-commercial bands from 88.1-91.9. I think I have that information correct? If so it probably would be safer to keep pirate transmitters above those frequencies. However it's so much easier to use the lower bands because of propagation being much better and RF devices handling those frequencies easier in my experience. I think those little ipod casters and such are much lower then 25mw even. The one I seen in Walmarts puts out like 5mw, just enough to get from the user to the car stereo
One more thing of interest from wiki on the FCC rules... Broadcast Auxiliary-Low Power stations are authorized in the frequency band 76-88 MHz; however, such stations must remain 129 kilometers (80 miles) or more distant from any other Part 73 Broadcast Station or LPTV/TV Translator station on Channel 6 if using the 87.8 to 88.0 MHz segment of the band. [47 CFR Section 74.802.]
I would avoid out of band broadcasting like the plague, unless you are seeking a $10,000 fine. It's always best to blend in the other broadcasters, operating on 87.5 or 87.9 screams pirate broadcasting.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Dec 15, 2017 15:32:29 GMT -6
same for me here @ 99.9 MHz, no adjacent stations on either side.. :-)
"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
I have been using 87.7 megahertz with quite success. I get listeners and I only have to use about 7 Watts which gets out between 2 to 3 miles. This is from an antenna that is about 10 feet from the ground.
Note to that I'm in a rural area and the closest stations are usually Within an hour or more from me. I have checked our cable system to make sure that there was no interference from my station on 87.7 megahertz. Even had the cable tech use a spectrum analyzer to make sure that I wasn't interfering.
If you're careful you shouldn't have a problem with it and I really think that the issue is interfering with license stations even if I were to transmit on 100.1 which is clear some of the time everytime there is a temperature inversion there is a Christian station that comes in which that station is just a little bit away from Gloucester Virginia.
Temperature inversions are something you need to watch out for. You need to be sure after 6 p.m. you check once per hour to make sure if you're not using the frequencies of 87.7 and 87.9 megahertz that you make sure there's nothing coming in on your frequency. If you happen to interfere with a license station due to a temperature inversion you will get a NOUO.
This is something I've been fighting very hard to try to get 87.7 and 87.9 megahertz to be a set of frequencies for hobby Broadcasting. There are plenty of receivers that will receive down there as I got listeners to prove that point.
Post by 877fm Radio Pushka on Jun 12, 2018 23:26:59 GMT -6
In my area(Phoenix Arizona), I have to use 87.7 mhz because everything from 87.9 to 108.0 is used. There are two pirate radio stations here, 87.9-kwfucc and me(87.7-kruss) . The problem with 87.7 mhz is that it is very susceptible to interference, for example: 93.3(a rock station) is heard on 87.7 around the Awhatuke area, their audio is VERY anoying because its very distorted and it completely cancels my station out at some point. Its better to stay out of those low frequencies beacuse they are filled with distorted audio from commercial stations. No wonder there is no channel six here in Chandler AZ. Theoretically, propagation on these frequencies should be better but it is actually way worse in my area. I am actually thinking of quitting fm broadcasting and switching to CB broadcasting or just doing both. :-)
Post by ogrevorbis on Jun 13, 2018 14:16:19 GMT -6
I always broadcast on 87.9. I haven't been anywhere where there is a TV station on the frequency. 87.7 used to be the audio carrier for CH 6. 87.9 is not quite on it and again there's no TV station here. 87.9 is the token pirate station. 87.5 and 87.7 are less popular because most receivers don't tune below 87.9. The three most popular pirate frequencies: 87.9 MHz 6925 kHz and 1710 kHz.
In my area(Phoenix Arizona), I have to use 87.7 mhz because everything from 87.9 to 108.0 is used. There are two pirate radio stations here, 87.9-kwfucc and me(87.7-kruss) . The problem with 87.7 mhz is that it is very susceptible to interference, for example: 93.3(a rock station) is heard on 87.7 around the Awhatuke area, their audio is VERY anoying because its very distorted and it completely cancels my station out at some point. Its better to stay out of those low frequencies beacuse they are filled with distorted audio from commercial stations. No wonder there is no channel six here in Chandler AZ. Theoretically, propagation on these frequencies should be better but it is actually way worse in my area. I am actually thinking of quitting fm broadcasting and switching to CB broadcasting or just doing both. :-)
Instead of CB broadcasting, you'd probably find shortwave broadcasting more fun if the FM isn't working great. There's always plenty of room on 6900-7000 kHz SW band. It's more underground though, so if your target audience is normal people, you won't get much of that. It's mostly hams and enthusiasts that would hear you. I could also recommend AM, BUT I can't. I've tried so many times to pirate on AM 1710 and everything I've tried has been a fail. Not complete failure, but it doesn't go more than a mile or so even with 50W. The only way to do AM with success is to have at least a 1/4 wave vertical antenna (~145 ft) or live on good ground lol.
You have much more ground conductivity in AZ though, so it might work better. You got 8-15 and I have 1 where I live. AM stations just don't work well around here. There's a 1kW about 6-8 miles from my house and I can't receive it unless I get in my car and drive toward it.
ogrevorbis: I'm broadcasting on 1640 C-Quam AM Stereo from my location. I'm using a Sean Cuthbert transmitter which actually meets part 15 rules for unlicensed required broadcasting after issues with a narc from the facebook group AM&FM Hobby Broadcasting for broadcasting on FM.
Funny thing was that since I was broadcasting Album Rock the agents loved my programming (No Joke). I was encouraged to try part 15 compliant AM broadcasting because luckily my area had a low noise floor and the agent said I may get out 1.5-2 miles on a good high sensitive Radio like the ones in many vehicles. I followed the Agent's advice.
My signal goes from my location to the Deltaville Market and does have a dead spot around the left side of 7-11 but as you go to the right the signal fades up again and does continue with a few dead spots about 5-10 feet long each. I am heard to the market and behind the market on that road.
Going the other way towards Taylor's restaurant I am heard to the Stingray point Marina and in some spots up to 3 miles in short spots and it drops after that last high spot. The signal follows the water and does quite nice.
Maybe find a location for your transmitter near water and you'll see that signal will go far and you'll only need less than a watt. Now neutral injection carrier current also can go far in rural areas.
I use to be a FM guy all the way because of my music format as Album Rock is the must picky format on the planet. But many vehicles have Radio's that can receive C-Quam AM Stereo and this is how you'll get listeners to come to your station. I do promo's for C-Quam AM Stereo and the Radio's that receive it. Some are listening to me now in AM Stereo.
It is not plug and play like FM and you'll need to put the transmitter in a weatherproof electrical box and solder a short wire to a 10 Ft aluminum pipe or copper pipe and because the Sean Cuthbert transmitter has a built in ATU (Antenna Tuning Unit) you should be able to tune up with little issue.
Good Luck and if you want to hear the station world wide check out thelegacy.shorturl.com
Post by 877fm Radio Pushka on Jun 20, 2018 15:30:27 GMT -6
Ok, I made the final decision, I will continue using FM but I am going to also setup a shortwave station which will turn on at night, on around the 6000 khz area. I already have a CB transmitter and it works pretty good but i have heard that CB is risky and I can get busted for playing music.
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