RE: RM-9208
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M st. NW
Washington D.C. 20554
Office of the Secretary
RE: RM-9208

Gentlemen:

A little history...

A letter to Radio World.
Helixing is a manufacturing concern of antennas. Principally medium wave, but also long and short wave, for the commercial market, the amateur and hobbyist. In October of 1993 I requested and was granted a "Special Temporary Authority" for trasmlssions in the AM broadcast band, from the Federal Communications Commission. I beleive I needed this license, this "tool" to conduct tests. Sporadically over the years you, RW and I have sold a few antennas. I had become interested in resurrecting the antenna manufacturing business, and starting another found of testing and advertising.  I requested a second license in February of 96. But much to my surprise and dismay my seond request for an identical license from the FCC was met with incredible amounts of resistance, red tape and ultimately rejection. I supplied the FCC with the amendments that they required only to withhold information when it got to the point of disclosing trade secets about MW vertical antennas with gain or wide bandwidth or shielded transmitting antennas. I was nearly accused of causing interference even before a single antenna was excited. I do not have at my disposal the funds available to hire a team of lawyers to confront the FCC. I write to you today in hopes that some other fledgling company will encounter more amiable results in a government that is supposed to serve the people.

A need...

Lockport is not being served. Last spring when 11 inches of rain fell in such a short period of time, where could all the commuters turn to find that Archer Road, Route 171 was impassible. Nowhere. The State, County and local police were up to their elbows in it. It was me and hundreds upon hundreds of motorists that drove miles down an important route only to find autos under water, and have to turn around to drive miles down another road to hope it would be passible. The clar channel stations were busy trying to cope with the inundation of information of areas that were even harder hit, and the traffic. What did I want. What I want is what I need. These people needed the same thing.

A dream...

Why was I so interested in science and electronics? Was it that radio? Sure why I bet if I learn as much as I can about radio and broadcasting I would be better equipped than some other guy and I would get hired. Well as you can see that didn't work out either. While my parents were arguing long before there was 50% divorce, and drugs were becoming more prevalent, it was my interest in radio that would draw me back and keep me out of trouble. This industry wants to hire "shock jocks" and "slobs" and "perverts" and "big babies" that forgot when to grow up. This industry doesn't want to hire the responsible or the public servant. What did I want? To play some rock and roll records, do some kooky bits. Have an alternative energy show, or flying or I'm sure someone wants to do a fishing show. There are a lot of little interests out in rural America that would bore those in the big city incredibly. I wanted to open a broadcasting school like the one I attended. What a fun place that was. But I didn't want to rip anyone off on the "dream". I wanted to offer something more. At least while they were there, I wanted to have a signal. Just sornething that could be heard 2 miles, while we ran to lunch. What a treat.

I'm working for us...

So desparate and resourceful was I, that I approached "Media One Cable" out here so I could have a cable modulator on their system. The plan was using the 75 milliwatts out and cells spaced 3/4 to 1 1/4 miles apart, we would then exit the cable system through drops and down-converters to get on the AM band. FM could be direct or also frequency converted. Media One told me they didn't want to add any "new"? technology to their system and that they didn't have the frequency space! .027% What did I want?

I'm working for us...

About the same time I made an inquiry with Commonwealth Edison, the electric company, about obtaining a lease for some runs of leaky cable to be strung from their poles for an inductive AM transmission system. I was disappointed to hear that ComEd, will only allow companys registered with the ICC, Illinois Commerce Commission, as a "licensed telecom provider" to place cable on their poles!? Look I want to do radio not get hung up in red tape and lawyers and court.

Real life...

AM amplitude modulation on medium waves is poor. After you add gas and electric pipe, and heaven forbid aluminum or steal siding, the signal is gone. The wavelength has no penetration. Although part of communicating is listening. I'm all for having outside MW receiving antennas. It helps a lot to get away from all of the electrical interference, let alone the sheilding I just mentioned. Automobile radios on the other hand are well equipped with their additional stage of RF amplification and TRF tuned radio frequency front ends. But you drive under a little AC power wire and it's gone baby. That weak signal competing with the noise is gone. I have done a lot of tests in my time and around 8 watts is a good signal level. I don't want a lot of power. I'm not interested in hearing Dallas / Fort Worth Int'l airport here in Chicago.

FM is better...

Boy I can remember hearing 50 miliwatts 1 & 1/4 miles. Cool! You still need more power than that to service the average? community. Realize that with FM and it's VHF frequency, it will be much easier to work up some directional antennas for strange shaped geographys. FM The noise suppression is there. The penetration is there. You'll have predictable signal degradation at the end of the service area. And with a receivers AFC, you can license another community close by. I think I could do a great deal with 4 watts.

Something for the children...

Could you do us all a favor? Open the part 15 limits up to 800 milliwatts out for AM and 400 Milliwatts out for FM and let some kids have some fun? No matter how old they are?

Dear Mr. Kennard:
I hope somebody reads this. I hope you do some good. I am an old man now and have not yet realized the "dream".
 

Sincerely,

Frank P. Patka