[avian]

> Here in Germany you have to be careful when setting up a homemade radio signal - it might be illegal depending on frequency and transmit power.

In Germany and everywhere else. The difference is how much it's enforced.

Note that this project isn't using that horrible Raspberry Pi GPIO PWM hack that shits all over RF but an off-the-shelf low power car FM transmitter product. I guess if someone knocks on your door you can point your finger to whoever in Germany sold you that.

[calmbonsai]

At least in the U.S., it's a complete non-issue for an output power that can easily cover the size of a wedding reception as long as you're not using a wide-band transceiver.

You'll want to be "kind" to the extant spectrum and do a responsible frequency sweep to select the "quietest band" prior to broadcasting. And you'll only want to broadcast during the event itself.

The FCC has better things to do than to try and track down an ephemeral milliwatt infringer.

[joxdosba]

It’s a complete non-issue in all western countries unless you’re going out of your way to cause trouble.

[avian]

It's the tragedy of the commons. It's a complete non-issue for the offender because it's very unlikely they will face any consequences and less of a non-issue for their neighbor who suddenly can only receive this guy's Spotify on every channel instead of the public broadcast they wanted to listen (maybe exaggerating a bit, depending on the FM transmitter gizmo used, but maybe now it's all buried in noise when it was clear previously). Even the "size of a wedding reception" can cover several homes in a dense apartment block.

But don't underestimate the stubbornness and time some people can dedicate to complaining to authorities. You might have a neighbor that will send letters about how they have to pay mandatory monthly bills for the national public broadcast they now can't listen to. They will complain and complain enough that eventually the broadcaster will send someone over with a spectrum analyzer and then the ball starts rolling. There have been court cases over stuff like that in this corner of Europe.

But I agree, you can argue those offenders went out of their way to cause trouble. In the cases I read people kept doing stupid things even after several warnings and apparently only got their lesson only when dragged into court.

[joxdosba]

Yes, if you are careless it is possible for you to inconvenience your neighbours, you might even place them in actual danger if you mess with the right frequencies.

Don’t mess with radios if you’re not going to be mindful of your surroundings. But hey, we let people drive cars, those are vastly more dangerous.