Would You Be Targeted And/or Prosecuted For Running A Small Range Low Power Fm Radio Station On Unused Frequencys In The Uk If It Did Not Exceed 1-2 Watt's Of Broadcasting Power ?

[madmart]

Hi guyz n galz do we have any tech experts here ? just wondering if a fm radio station with a transmitter of 1-2 watts in power playing only cleen speech and non copy righted music from dnb producers that have given permission for there music to be broadcasted by the radiostation/individual would be targeted in the uk by ofcom/dti for unlicensed broadcasting even if the signal is clean and produces no harmonnics/interference on other parts of the vhf spectrum and including the domestic radio vhf band 87.5-108 FM ? I know in some countries LPFM stations are tolerated as long as the frequency is clear they dont cause problems and dont transmitt with excesive power outputs. Does this law apply in uk ? if not would some one be better off going the whole hog and using a 10-100 watt transmitter if taking the risk ! thanks guys n galz sendiing u the love m&m

[Buenchico]

It would be a mighty breakthrough for science if you could design a radio transmitter that didn't generate harmonics!

OfCom is always quick to come down hard on unlicensed broadcasters. You might get away with it for a while but you'd eventually have your equipment seized and face prosecution.

Why not apply for a community radio licence? Our nearest community station operates a 20W transmitter, which covers a town with a population of 135,000 and areas up to about 8 miles from the transmitter.
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radio-broadcast-licensing/community-radio/

[Buenchico]

. . . or, of course, start your own online station:
http://www.shoutcast.com/broadcast-tools

[madmart]

In short The idea is to relay decent music more than likely off another internet based radio station or prercorded shows using non copywrighted music to my small town with a coverage area of around a 1 mile radius with a maximum of 2 miles. Is it worth doing ?

[madmart]

Thanks buenchico yeh i know all transmitters will emitt harmonics i just ment a good one that wont cause any predictable problems. Isnt a power output of 1-2 watts very low and be a while till ofcom even knew it existed unless it was advertised as a broadcast or radio station online somewhere or someone phoned ofcom and said they had a interference problem. ? im no expert in this subject but i can assemble rigs so they sound clean and cause no problems at all on the 87.5-108 fm commercial band but without right test kit i cant test out of band harmonics or interference.

[Buenchico]

We've got a new community radio station up the road from here (Castle Radio, in Framlingham, Suffolk) that, simply because of its rural location, can't have a very big audience. Their team think that it's worth the effort, so why shouldn't your venture be so?

The great thing about community radio stations is their diversity. Ipswich Community Radio (which I referred to in my first post) is totally different to Felixstowe Radio, which is 12 miles away. Castle Radio is only just getting started but, once again, they'll be different.

Go for it!

[madmart]

Also unfortunatly applying for a licence is not a option due to not having deep pockets.