Ramsey am-1 transmitter problem

I had assembled the Ramsey AM-1 kit yesterday and all i can get is this hum, if anyone knows my problem let me know! also it does not broadcast farther than a few feet.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Ramsey
• AM-1
• problem

[hobbyradioman]

I have fixed this from this point, i did have a problem with my powersupply but also my one cap was bad... Ramsey doesn't have super great tech support, i had left a message and recieved no call back or no email as i had emailed them as well. If you are an expert or have access to one the kits are fine, but if you are intermediate level like me, make sure you are patient as it may take months to get your answer.

[layziebone2152]

In addition to anyone having problems with "hum" in the audio if you using a "wall wort." First don't use switching power supplies, try to use linear, and then add a filter capacitor, a 4700uFd should suffice, this took out the hum on mine. For antennas use a long wire (beware of FCC part 15 rules - 10 ft maximum), or wind a coil to make the antenna electrically longer, this will give better range, less noise. I can cover 1.5 acres with this transmitter with my setup.

[layziebone2152]

Check all solder connections, back to basics. You MUST use some kind of antenna to get proper operation, without an antenna your transmitting signal will be poor, unstable, and full of noise. Consider using a "base loaded" antenna, loop enameled copper wire (magnet wire) around a paper towel tube 190 times to be (somewhat) resonant at 1000 kHz (1 MHz). If you're using a "wall wort" you may want to add a large electrolytic cap. to filter out the 60Hz hum, and wire the ground plane to earth ground

[MeEncantaKiley]

My ramsey station blocks out the station but the audio wont play

[patrick9648]

it's the AC adapter doing it. It ususally doesn't hum when using batteries. Even my portable radio hums when using one of those battery eliminators. you have every thing well grounded and shielded to get rid of the hum. sometimes you can make a filter for the power supply will help.

[OTTFM]

i need help can anyone help me with this?

[malignantpoodle]

@hobbyradioman

A cap and the PS was bad? How did you find this out with multiple variables?

[malignantpoodle]

Well, obviously the transmitter is emitting radio. I've no clue as to your antenna arrangement. Try using a plain copper wire just a couple of feet long. If you still have the same issue, then it's going to be something with your audio going into the transmitter. Consider that the ipod puts out stereo and the transmitter along with rca is mono. Could also be the cable. Just don't have much info to say for sure.

[SmashCOBamberg]

OMG use a DC power supply!!!!!! Otherwise u'll fuck it up! and use a bigger antenna!!!

[wannawatchu66]

The SSTran is an excellent value for the money as it has onboard processing, which will rival a licensed station. There's also the Procaster, which combines the self-contained mobility of the Rangemaster with the processing of the SSTran. However, I don't know how well the Procaster performs rangewise. My advice, if you haven't already, is to get whichever one of these other 3 your budget will allow, and either throw the Ramsey away, or display it as one of your "old" transmitters.

[wannawatchu66]

Your problem is that you have a Ramsey. For better results, get a transmitter that's actually worth the money you're gonna pay for it. Ramsey AM transmitters are JUNK, plain and simple. I had one myself, and it wasn't worth a damn. I then went with an SSTran AMT3000, and it sounded EXCELLENT. Problem was the signal didn't go very far. The Rangemaster is by far the best if you're looking for a big coverage area, but you also have to get external processing as it doesn't have that.