dxAce wrote:
Doug Smith W9WI wrote:
wrote:
I was once told that it is illegal to broadcast a shortwave signal
with US as a target. (Not sure if that applied only to VOA or shortwave
in general) Is this true for non-government stations? (ham radio
the obvious exception, I'm talking about broadcast stations like
the BBC)
FCC regulation 73.701 defines an "International broadecasting" station
as one "...the transmissions of which are intended to be received
directly by the general public in foreign countries." Stations
licensed under this Subpart F are the only privately-owned stations
allowed to broadcast to the general public anywhere on shortwave.
So yes, it's illegal for privately-owned U.S.-based shortwave stations
to broadcast to the general public within the U.S..
However, a common tactic is to choose an official target area in Canada
or Mexico, such that the station must beam most of its power across
desirable areas of the U.S. to get to the border. For example, pick a
transmitter site near New Orleans. Pick the most effective frequency to
serve ITU Zone 9, the Canadian Maritimes. You can be pretty sure this
frequency will also deliver a heck of a signal to the New York and New
England areas...
FCC regulations don't apply to federal government-owned stations.
However, it is my understanding that an Act of Congress establishes a
similar prohibition against the Voice of America or other U.S.
government-owned stations broadcasting to a domestic audience. I can't
cite that law though.
It's the Smith-Mundt Act as has been pointed out here numerous times.
Additionally, there was a brief period back in the 80's as I recall when
someone, somewhere, got a hair up their behind and for a time it was difficult
to even get a QSL from the VOA due to the Smith-Mundt Act.
Cooler heads eventually prevailed.
dxAce
Michigan
USA