Since the AMT5000 Transmitter Kit was introduced in 2015 we have been planning a full-scale antenna build 100-feet behind our Internet Building and much thought has gone into it, but little progress made.
The discontinuance of the AMT5000 is one of the roadblocks... we'd hoped to acquire a 2nd one to install at the 3-meter tower, and are unwilling to commit the only one we have to the hazards of the outdoors.
Now we're considering a Procaster, yet would insist on mounting it above convenient reach by rascals who have a way of finding valuable property. That would mean a "long ground lead" of perhaps 12-feet, which would sound the alarm with the sticklers.
Getting cables and wires to the location has kept us wondering where to set up a feed-point in the cellar, where to punch a hole in the foundation, how to locate the wiring once it's outside... we have envisioned miniature telephone poles made from bamboo poles and carrying the wires about 9-feet in the air along a fence-line, or low-poles carrying the wires 1-foot above the ground next to the fence. I reject the idea of buried cables.
The winter months and much of the spring were not conducive to outside work, and now the hot weather limits the amount of time that can be spent outside which gets absorbed by landscape responsibilities with foliage that grows faster than efforts to control it.
We complain but are not quitting.
KDX Worldround Radio will be opening a new transmission tower, no matter how many years it takes.
Why not use an updated IAM Talking House (for better audio), combined with their new, soon to be released, ATU? There's little difference in field strength between the ProCaster and the Talking House/ATU combination. The Talking House gives you the ability to install the main transmitter indoors (safely) and the total cost will likely be less, even though we don't yet know the pricing for the ATU.
Since you run mostly talk, sound quality is not as much of a concern as for other genres.
The iAM/ATU might be the right way to go now that Bill Baker and his company are behind it, he is a definite pace setter in the low power applications arena.
Your suggestion, Artisan, is under consideration.
For the difference in cost, you might even be able to swing the Inovonics replacement for the 222 (can't remember the number offhand, maybe 223?). I added a 222 to both a Talking House and Talking sign setup, and the sound quality and punch increased noticeably.
I've actually found little difference between the myriad of transmitters that are available for Part 15 AM, other than sound quality (which can be mitigated to some extent). The field strength differences are not all that relevant in terms of range - there are many other factors that affect range far more, such as ground conductivity, interference, etc. Side by side, with identical installations, if you get a mile from one transmitter, you'll likely get close to that with every one. If you get 1/4 mile, then that's what you'll get, and buying, say, a $1000 transmitter isn't going to get you that 1-2 mile range magically.
I'm leaning towards the IAM unit myself.my tentative plans are to run a stream with a part 15 simulcast.the FM availability is low in my city (Lexington,KY)with over a half dozen translators already in place.but the AM band is abundant and with my planned stream being Classic Rock i want the best possible setup not only with sound but signal so far the IAM is looking like my best option i'll know more when we get moved into our house and can test the signals of existing stations.
iAM is distributed by Information Station Specialists, and they have a handy audio sample comparing the iAM audio to that of the Talking House.
http://www.iamradio.net/audio-comparison.htm
Carl: If you go with the Procaster you could place several warning signs in the area: "DANGER!! 50,000 OHMS.