Hey all, new to the forums, been reading quite a bit. Currently im broadcasting with my slightly mod. belkin tunecast. Just enough to get the signal thru the house.
Hey all, new to the forums, been reading quite a bit. Currently im broadcasting with my slightly mod. belkin tunecast. Just enough to get the signal thru the house.
Im wanting to buy an AM transmitter. I have been seriously looking between the Ramsey AM 25 and the SSTRAN AM3000. For pretty much the same price, what would you buy? Also, I want to maximize my transmission with the most reasonable antenna. Looking for all ideas. On the SSTRAN site, they illustrate a very nice antenna, just courius if it is worth the build? Seems to me that Ramsey claims a long cb whip will do as well? If at possible, I would like 1.5 to 2 miles of transmission. Seems like I read that this is possible?
Thanks, Chad
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Hi Chad, and welcome to the board.
You should check the links provided by SCWIS. Since I own and have used both the Ramsey AM-25 and the SSTRAN, I thought you might be interested in my impressions.
My observation is that there is a big difference in audio quality between the two. The Ramsey distorts above about 70% modulation whereas the SSTRAN is clean up to 100%. The Ramsey running below about 70% sounds OK but I prefer the SSTRAN. The Ramsey has a single audio input which requires that you mix the stereo source to mono and the SSTRAN has dual audio inputs and mixes them internally. The SSTRAN has a built in compressor/limiter and provides front panel controls for adjustment, though I have found that once I set them to my satisfaction I need not touch them again.
Both kits have excellent assembly instructions.
The only down side to the SSTRAN for me is that the antenna is a bit tricky to tune, but it works fine once set up according to the instructions. If not tuned properly, the audio and carrier can distort.
The Ramsey does not require tuning beyond installing some parts according to the frequency range of expected operation. This unit, according to my tests, drives low impedance antennas (20 to 100 ohms such as is given by a base coil loaded antenna) well.
I use a base coil loaded/resonant linked antenna mounted on the ceiling of my basement, so any range claims I would make would not compare to an outdoor vertical with ground radials. All I can offer is that the range was pretty much the same with both transmitters using this antenna.
I now operate with the SSTRAN and my Ramsey is retired.
Neil
I own the Ramsey, the SSTran, and the Rangemaster. For casual "yardcasting", the SSTran is by far the best way to go. The audio quality is superb, the carrier frequency is dead on (no beats or warbles), and all of the audio processing you need is built in. This includes a compressor, limiter, noise gate, and audio pre-emphasis. I agree that the antenna trimmer is a bit touchy, but once you tune it you won't need to touch it again unless you disturb the antenna position.
The Rangemaster is also a great unit, but costs significantly more and you do need to provide the full audio chain. It's targeted at the more serious micro-broadcaster.
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Thanks for the responses.
Chad