FM Broadcasting License

[nathank]

Couldn't really find a section for this to go under. I think 'Sequencing' is the closest I could get.

I was just wondering if people have looked into obtaining licenses for broadcasting?

I've done some research over here in New Zealand and found that I need to purchase two type of licenses. One which pays royalies to the artist, and the other that pays royalties to the recording company.

For a 2 month period I can obtain both licenses for $100NZ. This allows me to broadcast whatever I like for 2 months solid.

I'm thinking I might try to get some minor sponsorship in return for some very minimal advertising on the broadcast just so that it can pay for itself.

[danielh]

I think for low power transmitting a license is not required here in New Zealand

Below 500mW is unlicensed with special limits on freq....

http://data.rsm.govt.nz/licensing/gurls/gurl-lpfmbc-2.html


As for royalty fees, i'm not too sure. If this was the case then everyone that broadcast there Ipod music to their car stereo etc would have to pay royalties?

Hope this helps


Daniel

[nathank]

G'day Daniel,

PPNZ provides the same information as RSM.

The license is not for the actual broadcasting, it's for the right to 'publicly' broadcast copyrighted material. 'Publicly' is what makes the difference.

If you are wanting to take a look, the sites you need to look at are:
http://www.apra.co.nz
http://www.ppnz.co.nz

[danielh]

Ah that makes lots more sense :)

I totally agree with the fee, but does it not also apply to people that turn their stereo's up really loud and the whole neighborhood can hear the noise :D

[opcode1300]

no ,cause they won't come or go to the car , just to listen to the music and admiring it... that's the difference...when you broadcast and people are actually looking at your display and listening to your music then it becomes public broadcasting.

[mac_man_luke]

Could just find an original piece of music or public domain

[christmasdisplays.co.nz]

I ran out of time and money last year so I didn't transmit on FM. I did play music in the yard though. I'm going to get onto it a lot sooner this year.

[mrpackethead]

We just run speakers in teh garden as well.. But we are out in the country, so the neighbours don't complain.

[christmasdisplays.co.nz]

I have the volume pretty low. People who hop out of their cars can hear it. The neighbours don't seem to mind. Nothing has been said. I also run the music though the days on the weekends into the cul-de-sac a little louder to give the street that christmasy feel.

Once again nothing has been said. They either can't hear it or they don't mind.

[Greg Young]

Couldn't really find a section for this to go under. I think 'Sequencing' is the closest I could get.

I was just wondering if people have looked into obtaining licenses for broadcasting?

I've done some research over here in New Zealand and found that I need to purchase two type of licenses. One which pays royalies to the artist, and the other that pays royalties to the recording company.

For a 2 month period I can obtain both licenses for $100NZ. This allows me to broadcast whatever I like for 2 months solid.

I'm thinking I might try to get some minor sponsorship in return for some very minimal advertising on the broadcast just so that it can pay for itself.


Nathan, in the US individuals can not obtain a low power FM broadcast license. That is reserved for educational and certain other businesses.
We can however operate part 15 rf devices, which allows for very limited range operations. (it is based on received signal strength and equates to about 200 ft radius of a reasonable signal.)
They used to regulate the rf output, but decided instead to go for radiated distance, as it was apparent what the differences in external antennas make.
Technically part 15 devices should not use external antennas, but again the judgement as to legal operation is based on the actual signal strength that is being received. (Sounds like NZ has more latitude on rf output... your 500 mw maximum there equates to about 10 - 20 mw here)
Greg

[mrpackethead]

Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Low Power FM Broadcasting Short Range Devices) Notice 2003 No. 2

Pursuant to Regulation 9 of the Radiocommunications Regulations 2001 (“the Regulations”) made under section 116 (1) (b) of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 (“the Act”), and acting under delegated authority from the Chief Executive, I give the following notice.
Notice
1. Short title and commencement

1. This notice is the Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Low Power FM Broadcasting Short Range Devices) Notice 2003 No. 2.
2. This notice comes into force on 1 July 2003.

2. General user radio licence

A general user radio licence is granted for the transmission on the frequencies specified in the licence by means of radiocommunication transmitters intended for local-area broadcasting and known as "Lower Power FM Broadcasting Short Range Devices", or LPFM Broadcast, in accordance with the terms, conditions and restrictions of this notice.
3. Terms, conditions and restrictions

1. From 1 October 2003, within a 25km radius of any broadcast transmitter there must be no more than one low power FM transmitter broadcasting substantially the same programme (including simulcast or re-transmission) as that broadcast transmitter. Broadcast transmitter means a low power FM transmitter or any broadcast transmitter licensed pursuant to sections 48 or 116 of the Radiocommunications Act 1989.
2. Low Power FM transmitter operators, at least once every three hours, must broadcast the contact details of the person responsible for the transmissions.
3. Only transmissions that are broadcasting, as defined in the Broadcasting Act 1989, are permitted.
4. Transmitters must conform to the Schedule to this notice and the requirements prescribed in notices made under Regulation 32 (1) (b) of the Regulations.
5. Frequency use is on a shared basis and the chief executive does not accept liability under any circumstances for any loss or damage of any kind occasioned by the unavailability of frequencies or degradation to reception from other transmissions.
6. Should interference occur to services licensed pursuant to a radio licence or a spectrum licence, including wireless public address systems, the chief executive reserves the right to require and ensure that any transmission pursuant to this general user radio licence change frequency, reduce power or cease operation.

Schedule

1. The permitted transmitter carrier frequencies are:

Lower FM Band:
88.1 MHz 88.2 MHz 88.3 MHz 88.4 MHz
88.5 MHz 88.6 MHz 88.7MHz

Upper FM Band:
106.7 MHz 106.8 MHz 106.9 MHz 107.0 MHz
107.1 MHz 107.2 MHz 107.3 MHz 107.4 MHz
107.5 MHz 107.6 MHz 107.7 MHz

2. Transmissions on the frequencies 88.5 MHz, 88.6 MHz and 88.7 MHz are not permitted within 120 km of Auckland Skytower.
3. The permitted designations of emissions are:
256KF8EHF (stereo)
180KF3EGN (mono)
4. The maximum peak radiated power must not exceed -3 dBW (500mW) e.i.r.p.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of (4), the field strength must not exceed 112 dBµV/m based on a measurement bandwidth of 100 kHz and a reference distance of 10 metres.
6. Transmitter carrier stability (frequency tolerance) must be maintained within +/- 5kHz.
7. External controls for the adjustment of the transmitter power are not permitted.

Dated at Wellington this Friday 20th day of June 2003.
SANJAI RAJ, Manager, Business Services, Radio Spectrum Management, Ministry of Economic Development.
Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the notice, but is intended to indicate its general effect).

This notice prescribes that, pursuant to regulation-making powers of the Radiocommunications Act 1989, a general user radio licence is granted for the transmission on the frequencies specified in the licence by means of radiocommunication transmitters intended for local-area broadcasting and known as "Low Power FM Broadcasting Short Range Devices", or LPFM Broadcast, in accordance with the terms, conditions and restrictions of this notice.
This notice comes into force on 1 July 2003.

[christmasdisplays.co.nz]

Nathan, I was not aware of the lower and upper frequencies from your last post. @ years ago when I did do fm transmitting I used 94Fm. Obviously now that was a no no!

I'm waiting for the day when someone in NZ gets taken to task over broadcasting with out the right paperwork. It's bound to happen.

Duane