Has anybody ever had issues with the fcc coming to your door? I have a transmitter that works at 5 MHz at about 10 mW with a simple wire antenna. Should i be worried about the fcc? ps i live in canada.

Thanks

 

Isn't the CRTC more likely to knock on your door than the FCC?

 

Sure crtc aswell but I live near the american border​

 

No, you are in Canadian jurisdiction. The FCC could contact the Canadian equivalent and turn you in. I am not familiar with Canadian laws, but 10mw is allowed in the USA, as long as the antenna is not a problem. You can boost the apparent power by using a tuned antenna, so there are legal requirements there too.

 

If your interested, you can check the FCC rules and Regulations links at http://www.fcctests.com/47CFR.asp

 

Actually, yes, I had somebody show up at my door when I was a teenager. He had tracked us down on the citizens band acting like we were ham radio operators. He gave us a warning and went away. One of the most memorable experiences of those years.

The problem was that we were a nuisance to commercial interests in the area. I suspect that with 10 mW, you wont be a problem. My philosophy over the years has been that if I keep a low enough field strength, nobody will even know that I am transmitting, let alone transmitting on a frequency at which I am not authorized.

Take note that until a few years, no transmitter at all were allowed on the FM band in England, though there were many micropower transmitters for local distribution, but there were no (as far as I know) problems. And not low power transmitters are allowed.