Part 15 Rangemaster AM Transmitter Set-up and Upgraded Studio Components

[zappatx]

Got a call from a station using higher power in Texas who was visited by the FCC. Seems they got their case thrown out because they sued the FCC as the agents had no Oath of Office! FCC is hiring retirees to go after people wanting to become the media in their areas to try to scare others from doing this but these agents have no jurisdiction as they do not have valid credentials.

[MichaelJGrant]

You have a mighty impressive setup for certain. It might be worth a trip for me and a steak dinner for you to see a *compliant* Part 15 installation that can deliver a useful signal at 4 miles or even half that for a single transmitter. You might want to check out the enforcement action against KENC that claimed similar range with the same transmitter you are using.

[zappatx]

@MichaelJGrant KNEC happened to get a Agent who was betting the US citizen didn't know his rights and due process. I got lucky as the the agent in my district was very cooperative. We have 5 transmitters ganged together covering over 6 miles (4 reliable but detectable as far away as 6 or so) in one spot which were turned off when the agent showed up. One location passed and one failed but we have made corrections.

[MichaelJGrant]

@zappatx The problem with Part 15.219 is that the term "ground lead" is vague. Of course, a cable from the transmitter 's ground terminal to a "ground" is a ground lead. But what about when the transmitter is electrically bonded to grounded support structure such as a tower or mast which was the case with KENC? Does the support structure become a "ground lead" under the regulation? KENC seems to have pursued its due process rights to no avail.

[MichaelJGrant]

@MichaelJGrant My experience has been that installations delivering a useful signal beyond several hundred feet almost invariably, assuming the transmitter itself is compliant with regard to input power, have questionable ground leads. The same RF current that flows to the antenna also flows in the ground lead. Therefore, the radiated signal depends on the radiation resistance of the element it passes through. The longer the element, the greater that resistance, the stronger the signal.

[xadekpl]

I am thinking about purchasing a range master, and i don't want to have an problems with FCC.  So would you please reply to this and tell me if its possible to legally put that range master lets say on a roof of a building, like a church so i would get better range? " FCC 15.219 Operation in the band 510–1705 kHz. (b) The total length of the transmission line, antenna and ground lead (if used) shall not exceed 3 meters" Does it mean that its illegal to have it higher than 3 meters?

[zappatx]

@xadekpl As long as you don't advertise your system too much - forums, websites, etc.. The FCC will never bother you. These units are compliant and are expandable when using several units. These are being installed at a frequency of 1-per week. One 200WT FM with a legal show in Texas got a FCC visit discovered in the FCCs own charter that they lack jurisdiction to go after unlicensed operation not crossing state lines & non-commercial. They filed a complaint in Fed court & the FCC backed off!

[dtmbcorp]

Website is down...

[bratina501]

I was considering the Rangemaster for part 15 AM but I had to pass it up because I do require C-QUAM AM stereo generation for my purposes. That aside it looks like a nice performing transmitter for what it does.

[INTHEMIX74]

hey im in australia im a fm pirate ...why would you guys bother with all that gear just for what less than a km in distance ..

just wondering

[zappatx]

@INTHEMIX74

One of our several sites covers 16KM. Where did you get 1Km? Hell. I would'nt bother with that either. One single transmitter I can reach on a good day 4 miles radius but our 5 transmitter array covers over 10 miles.

[FritzLung]

Please let us know how the tests with the CRL PMC-300A turn out.

[zappatx]

Im using it now. I think the Inovonics 222 may be better only because the output waveshape looks a lot better but as for adio quality and loudness this seems to work just as well and based on one man's opinion, even better. This one may have a slight problem but I would definately choose this over the Inovonics if cost is the issue. That's The PMC-300A. They seem to be easier to find but you should have a gain riding unit ahead like a Audimax or MAP I or II compressor.

[zappatx]

The CRL really makes the signal loud therefore I need an attenuator to damper it down. the CRL gives you the choice 0 to 5 to limit or clip.. For talk and distance clipping lessens the quality but it reaches listeners further.

[zappatx]

I now have the Audimax and Volumax refurbished and connected for the best sound and modulation. I prefer the results over the Inovonics 222 and Compresor as the Audimax really levels out things well and the Volumax makes it LOUD all the eway to the fringe ends of the broadcast range.

[FritzLung]

I maxed the audio control, yesterday. No change. I called Keith to get the little board, but he no longer sells them. So, I ordered the new, $35 box. It's an amp/channel combiner/impedance matcher. Hopefully, that will resolve the problem. I'll let you know.

[FritzLung]

Zappatx,

Is your graphic equalizer inserted before or after your compressor/limiter?

My Rangemaster operates fine, but I can't seem to get enough volume at the AM receiver, no matter how I configure my audio chain.

[zappatx]

The EQ is right out of the board, then the compressor.

If you are lacking at a reciever and all recievers how about the audio adjustment on the transmitter? Is it maxed out? Also is the stage before the transmitter impedience matched? What are you using? Are you using only that little card Keith sends?

[FritzLung]

Yes- I bought the newer card for about $35. Keith said it has a pre-amp in it for more gain. I tried also adding a compressor/limiter to even out the audio, and keep it constantly up, but could still use more audio at the receiver.

[zappatx]

Without pre-emphisis and the positive peaks you generally will be limited to 90% w/o distortion. I still believe the Audimax is best for a steady signal but I am now teesting a CRL PMC-300A fed by a Inovonics 230 8 band compressor. This is a limiter which is always limiting so when you loose audio such as low level program, song or voice dropout, it acts as gain as the limiter backs off. A great device! If something comes on with too much bass the unit will compensate (log scale compressor.)

[purctry985]

nice setip,I'm looking for an optimod am at some old transmitter sites.

[Gonaibo3773]

That's pretty interesting your video unfortunately it's too short , I would like you make the second part.....

and I have a few things to ask you ...I see you're very good in that section...I want you to get me the basic equipments that I 'll need to set up a FM radio station by my self if you don't mind..and I'll be very gratefull to you sir. or if you can give a book reference I can buy and find everything that I want to hook me up .

[Cringle84]

There is a lot of information on setting up FM transmitters out there on the internet, more available than for AM, but setting up both transmitters are pretty much similar, except with FM you would be playing around with tuned length antennas instead of tuning curcuits or loading coils.(due to shorter wavelength of VHF over MF) audio processing may be a little different though due to the more "organic" nature of AM, FM is more rigid audio wise and gives you an all or nothing performance.