Radio Act of 1912
The Radio Act of 1912 is a United States federal law that mandated that all radio stations in the US be licensed by the federal government, as well as mandating that seagoing vessels continuously monitor distress frequencies.
The act set a precedent for international and federal legislation of wireless communications. It was followed by the Radio Act of 1927.
Contents |
[edit] Description
Part of the impetus for the act's passage was the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The Titanic had sent out a distress call over its wireless telegraph, which was received by a ship in the area. However, it was later learned that another ship was closer to the Titanic than the rescuing ship, but it did not receive the distress call because its sole wireless operator was not on duty. Thus, one aspect of the Act was to mandate that vessels had the continuing capability to receive messages on two wavelengths: 300 meters and 600 meters (500 kHz).[1] This meant that vessels would need to have an operator on duty at all times.
Another factor was an ongoing conflict between amateur radio operators and the U.S. Navy and private corporations, that included amateurs forging naval messages and issuing fake distress calls. The Wireless Ship Act of 1910 was seen as too weak to address the problems. The United States Congress considered six different proposals for replacing it in the period between 1910 and 1912, eventually enacting the 1912 Act.[2]
To combat the issue with amateur radio operators, the Act provided for a system of licensing all radio stations in the US, including amateur radio operators. Further, it prohibited those amateurs from transmitting over the main commercial and military wavelengths. Amateurs were limited to transmitting signals that were below a wavelength of 200 meters (1.5 MHz). Besides being limited by wavelength, amateurs were also limited to location and operating hours.[3]
[edit] Other regulations
In addition to mandating shipboard wireless operators and station licenses, the Act also set requirements for reduced power levels near government stations, times when radio signals near those stations could be used, and codified the notion of using the least amount of power necessary to conduct the transmission.
[edit] Authority to close stations
In times of war or national peril, the President was authorized under Section 2 of the act to close down any or all radio stations in the US. In accordance with the Act, the government did just this during World War I.[4]
[edit] Enforcement and penalties
Implementing and enforcing the Act was the responsibility of the United States Secretary of Commerce and Labor. The United States Department of Commerce and Labor was empowered to impose fines of not more than $500 and to revoke the licenses of those radio operators who violated the restrictions laid down by the Act.[2][5] Furthermore, the government could seize the equipment of the offending station, as well as suspending the radio license of the operator for one year.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://earlyradiohistory.us/1912act.htm
- ^ a b Hugh Richard Slotten (2000). Radio and Television Regulation: Broadcast Technology in the United States 1920–1960. JHU Press. pp. 6–8. ISBN 080186450X.
- ^ White, Thomas H.. "Early United States Radio History" (pdf). p. 4. http://archive.free103point9.org/2007/07/03.earlyradiohistory.pdf.
- ^ http://www.fcc.gov/omd/history/radio/quality.html
- ^ Michael C. Keith (2007). The Radio Station: Broadcast, Satellite & Internet. Focal Press. p. 35. ISBN 0240808509.
[edit] External links
- Text of 1912 Act, "An Act to regulate radio communication", approved August 13, 1912, Early Radio History.
- One-page historical document giving overview of passage of bill through congress
- Federal Radio Commission Archives
