[Cyber Liberty]

One thing they could do is to raise the maximum wattage for non-licensed operators from 100mw to 1 watt. This would give neighborhoods the ability to have neighborhood radio stations on a band that everyone in the neighborhood can get on their radios.

I like that. But not on any frequency they choose.

[P-Marlowe]

One watt is not going to interfere with any strong commercial signals. But the FCC or some enterprising ham radio guy could post a website that shows coverage for local FM radio and the rule could be set that you can’t broadcast on anything other than an open frequency.

Those of us with 50mw FM car transmitters already know which ones those are.

These days you can’t get FM transmitter experience without going to work for one of the big Radio Conglomerates.

You can always do Ham, but Ham prohibits any form of general broadcasting. Another stupid rule IMHO.

Of course even if we allow this, RIAA and ASCAP are going to drop the hammer and demand all kinds of fees.

You can’t win.

It’s either big commercial or pirate. Either you bow to the FCC and ASCAP and RIAA or you go underground.