For many of us COVID is bringing big challenges. We’re taking on more responsibilities with streaming video, ect. Let’s be honest, some of us are control freaks. It’s difficult to bring someone on and delegate a task to them, especially if it’s not done exactly as we would do it. But it’s time for you to teach others also. We need to learn how to train and delegate responsibilities to new volunteers. Sure, once in a while things aren’t going to go just right, but that’s how we learned for the most part. Take up the challenge in 2021 to train some new tech volunteers and then let them take over certain parts of your responsibility. You need help. You can’t keep doing everything all by yourself or you may end up burnt out and bitter. I know it’s hard to delegate and let go of things that are “your ministry” but you can do this with the Lord’s help. Even Paul needed help. Remember his words in 2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”
This is one of my favorite verses, yet I’ve often been to churches where the sound system is so bad that people can’t understand what is being preached. Clear, understandable, sound should be the goal of every church sound system. It really doesn’t matter how loud your sound system is, if people cannot hear and understand the preaching of God’s word.
The FCC’s Part 15 and Drive In Church – Is it Legal?
There is a buzz going around right now about Drive-In Church and using FM transmitters to broadcast the service to all the car radios. But before you go and buy a bunch of gear, there are a couple things you should know.
It is legal to transmit in both the FM and AM band.
You may not interfere with licensed broadcast stations.
Violations by individuals or institutions can result in fines by the FCC.
So what is Part 15 and what does it say about unlicensed use of the AM/FM spectrum? Part 15 includes FCC’s regulations for unlicensed use of the AM/FM broadcast channels. According to a Public Notice released by the FCC on July 24, 1991; “There are two basic types of low power broadcast operation permitted – licensed and unlicensed. The following tables describe the basic criteria for both. It is important to note that the forms of broadcast operation listed on these tables are the only ones permitted. Operation of an AM or FM radio station at a power level greater than that permitted for unlicensed operation and less than the minimum required for licensed operation is NOT permitted.”
The FCC’s chart indicates the following:
For AM Unlicensed broadcasting the maximum power is 0.05 watts.
For FM Unlicensed broadcasting the maximum power is 0.01 microwatts.
So what does this mean?
Practically speaking, consumer level FM transmitters are available. But in many areas, the FM spectrum is packed full of stations. Even if you find an empty frequency, you’ll most likely have some sporadic signal or bleed from adjacent stations to overcome, which reduces the effectiveness of your transmitter.
Even if you live in a place where you have a nice clean, open FM channel, 0.01 microwatts doesn’t cover a large area. 200 ft is an ideal situation.
Many transmitters found on Amazon and other sites are not FCC compliant or require licensing to use legally.
FCC compliant AM transmitters are easier to find but the audio quality can be lower.
Let me suggest another idea. You could use a powerful WiFi access point and a low latency audio encoder like the Listen LW-100P-02. This can accommodate many users via a downloadable smart phone app and be rolled into your assistive hearing system when you are done with it. However, I strongly recommend a good IT and audio professional to set the system up properly.
So yes, this can be done legally. Can it be done effectively? That will depend upon the team you pick to set it up and the quality of available AM or FM channels available in your area.
P.S.
In talking to some broadcast engineers, they recommend the AM transmitter over the FM. They also mentioned that the higher frequency you pick, the better signal you will get with the limited antenna the FCC requires.
Below are links for equipment mentioned in this article as well as other resources you may find helpful.
“Because Physics.” That’s a phrase that I find myself using when I explain “the why” about sound systems. Often I hear questions like; “Why can’t we put the speakers here?” or “Why can’t we use this kind of microphone?” As a system designer, I’m keenly aware of how sound waves interact with the structure of your room or how microphones work. Physics is why your sound system can have feedback or your hearing assistance system can’t transmit properly when you push the expandable antenna all the way down. Physics is the reason that you can hear low frequencies but not high frequencies when you stand behind a speaker. Physics affects if I recommend acoustic treatment in some rooms and not in others. Physics is critical in everything from the gauge of speaker wire to the location of wireless mic antennas. I’m not just expressing my opinion, that’s how God made the world. It has rules and we have to live by them. Sound has predictable characteristics if we take the time to understand them. So take a minute, be curious and revisit your high school physics class. You might be surprised at how it can help you understand your sound system.
I’ve more than once seen the “overkill” system. It is often inflicted on small traditional churches who hire a big tech company to fix the sound system. They install something so complex that users barely know how to operate it. And when that “one guy” who knows how to run it takes a new job in another state… you’re in trouble. Why do they install these? I can’t speak as to motive but I think it’s because the designers tend to be sound techs. It’s easy for them to forget how overwhelmed you were the first time you sat in front of a mixing console. Sometimes it’s because the newest whiz-bang tech is what they think you want. It’s important to communicate what you need and if the company isn’t listening, move on. Sometimes it’s because there’s more overhead in selling you a bigger fancier system than a simple solution to your problem. Money makes the world go round. A well engineered system keeps you in mind. Chances are, your volunteers are not full time sound technicians. They are just trying to serve the Lord and help out the church. A well engineered system is simple to use, simple to learn and as feedback proof as it can be, given the laws of Physics.
“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” (Proverbs 30:25)
I’ve seen it many times. Something fails and the church is in panic mode trying to find a replacement before the next week. Sometimes this is unexpected, but often the audio or video system has been on the fritz for several months or even years. You’ve had signs and problems, but no plan, either financially or practically. This creates more long term issues. Instead of a well researched solution that works properly for your ministry, you buy whatever the local music store happens to have in stock or call your local audio visual company with a plea for help. You’ll often spend more money than you need to, since you’re in a pinch. The previous verse says that the ants are “exceeding wise” for planning ahead. As you start a new year, take stock of your sound system. Maybe you just need to replace small things like mic cables. Perhaps you need big things like a new mixer board. Possibly you’ve been putting off replacing your wireless mics because “we’ve got plenty of time.” and now the July 2020 deadline is only months away. Have a chat with your tech crew. Ask about things that are failing and come up with a replacement plan and budget, because today is always the best time to create a plan for tomorrow.
