Cap'n Swoop presents...
"Part 15" Radio
For Beginners

Squirreled away in various parts of the radiofrequency spectrum are various areas that the FCC has set aside as areas that fall under "Part 15" of the FCC regulations which govern radio transmissions. In a nutshell, transmissions made in these bands that conform to low power levels, specific antenna lengths, etc, can be operated without a license. A couple of good examples are remote "baby monitors" in the 49Mhz band, and FM wireless mikes that allow you to sing Kareoke while walking around the bar.

Much of Part 15 equipment has very stringent emissions requirements, to where you are best off just buying premade equipment. But one frequency block in particular, in the Longwave band, has few restrictions; this is the home of a group known as LOWFERS, or LOW Frequency Experimental Radio Stations. Many of this group have joined together to form the Longwave Club of America, to pool their resources. The Longwave (or Low frequency) aspect of the radio hobby can be challenging and exciting. Whether you wish to explore this area of the dial by monitoring, or put your own transmitter on the air, you can get a lot of bang for your buck in this band.

Good use of this band does require some specialized equipment. Fortunately, much of it is easily home built. A few things that will aid you in getting started are some of the free software that is useful in circuit design; some information on Longwave equipment and antennas.

Everything from deepsea sub transmissions to overseas DJ's to Aurora Borealis hiss can be heard here, and oddities about how radio waves act at these frequencies make it possible to communicate hundreds of miles with the power output of a kid's walkie/talkie. If you are looking for that radio spot "where no man has gone before", this is the place to be.