When did Part 15 FM not exist?

[tybee]

TheDood's post about cable FM brought this related topic back mind that I fond confusing...

We go back to Bulletin OCE 12 (March 1973) :
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-335623A1.pdf

13.0
OPERATION PROHIBITED IN FM BAND.

Due to the physical laws of radio propagation on frequencies in the AM band, operation with low power and a small antenna is inherently short range. Thus, it is possible to set up operating conditions in the AM band that will protect the broadcast service and still provide a reasonable operating range for the owner of a low power communication device.

This cannot be done in the FM band (88-108 MHz). Conditions in this band are completely different and long range transmission is possible even with extremely low power, a fact that is well known and well documented. In the face of this physical phenomenon, the Commission has not found it possible to set up operating conditions on the FM band that would provide a reasonable operating range.

Accordingly, operation without an individual license for low power broadcasting in the FM band is strictly prohibited...."

But here's the thing.. Part 15 FM, so far as I can tell has ALWAYS been permitted! There's no other FCC documentation to indicate otherwise neither before nor after 1973 that says part 15 FM was ever strictly prohibitted, in fact there had been numerous part 15 FM devices on the market, for example this ad in 1966 Popular Mechanics magazine:

So how do we explain the FCCs 1973 Bulletin OCE 12?

[ThaDood]

Good question, since this all seems very vague, at best. Now, Radio Shack did have the FM Wireless Mic in 1975. (I had one.) That, seemed to MAX-out to about 100ft, and that's with a good receiver and antenna. Sometime in the 1980's is when the FCC allow the Field Strength to MAX at 250uV @ 3M, and it's been there since. Hmmmmmmmmmmm???  https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1975_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=38

[tybee]

Good question, since this all seems very vague, at best. Now, Radio Shack did have the FM Wireless Mic in 1975. (I had one.) That, seemed to MAX-out to about 100ft, and that's with a good receiver and antenna. Sometime in the 1980's is when the FCC allow the Field Strength to MAX at 250uV @ 3M, and it's been there since. Hmmmmmmmmmmm???  https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1975_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=38

Thanks for the link to the ad, that's cool.
The 1973 Bulletin OCE 12 also was the first FCC documentation to include the ground lead as part of the ten feet before it was actually written into the rules and the first to acknowledge that even when in compliance a 15.219 system acheives extended ranges. I wonder if its statements about part 15 FM being strictly prohibited was some kind of proposal too. Remember, shortly after this the FCC proposed to abolish 15.219, and they didnt want to have the issue reappear with FM.