That's correct, you need to purchase a standard 72" whip from Radio Shack or somewhere. It does not automatically come with the unit, -you do have the option of purchasing one along with your order, but because of the shipping cost of the antenna, it is much more reasonable to just buy one locally.
But I think Carls point was that you don't have to construct anything, you just screw the antenna on and start transmitting
"But I think Carls point was that you don't have to construct anything, you just screw the antenna on and start transmitting"
Yep. It is convenience. And echoing what I mentioned before, convenience costs.
Plug N Play vs Assembly Required. There is a specific price to each.
RFB
"Having that certification number guarantee's the operator/owner that the device has been through the FCC's ringer and given their blessing, so long as it is operated in accordance with the instructions, supplied accessories and of course the rules themselves."
Again, this is a function of any manufacturer selling a completely assembled transmitter, pure and simple. And the last section is key there, it's very easy to make your antenna "out of compliance" which would void your part15 status anyway. Catch a FCC inspector on a bad day and your base-loaded antenna or whip+mast setup may be deemed out of compliance - or it might pass. It's easy enough for a hobbiest to tune around their intended frequency with a scanner to check for spurs, and to check the harmonic frequencies up the scale to verify a "non-certified kit" isn't blasting out noise on other bands - having high-end measurement equipment is not needed. At 100mW it's going to be minimal disruption at best, I don't buy into fear-mongering about the "risk" of using a non-certified rig.
As far as the assertion that there's no cost savings with a kit, I highly disagree. I've assembled two sets of AMT3000's along with base-loaded antennas for each. An AMT3000, plus a Pelican enclosure is $130 with shipping (I like amo-cases myself at $6 a pop though). An antenna, from ground mast to base-load to the tip of the antenna is about $50 in new parts from the hardware store. Add in some coax feed-line, power cable, and various other components and you are at $200 and that's being generous. The cheapest Rangemaster config starts at $800 and goes up from there (not even including the mast or antenna components). You could also buy a used 1000W commercial broadcast transmitter cabinet for a grand and dial it down to only output 100mW if that makes you feel better about yourself, but you are still putting out the same power that the rest of us are.
Now, for a college part15 station or community operated station which has capital to invest then sure a Rangemaster would be fine. And if I came across a second-hand Rangemaster at a very significant discount I'd use it, I'm sure it's a wonderful rig. Also if you want to get into part15 but don't have any experience with soldering kits together (or already know that you don't have the aptitude for soldering kits together) then sure a pre-assembled kit is fine. But you could also invest the money saved into your airchain audio processing gear and have a great sounding station for the price of just a Rangemaster.
I don't buy into fear-mongering about the "risk" of using a non-certified rig.
I don't think anyone really suggested that.
I guess perhaps I must be off in my calculations of the cost involved with building the coil an so forth.. In previous research when I was considering acquiring the advanced antenna system for the AMT300, it seems that buying only the pre-assembeled coil alone was a couple hundred.. and that was only part of the system. - But I realize you are talking about constructing it from scratch yourself - It's not something I have experience in doing.
One other thing.. I think it can be got for a little less than $800.. The second one I had purchased was only $650 if I recall correctly. (My first one was stolen several years ago).
All I can really say for sure, is that for me, I feel more secure to purchase a fully assembled product which has a strong reputation of being a high quality unit, as well as excellent after-the-sale service.
As opposed to me attempting to solder a bunch of individual parts when I don't really know what I'm doing! I haven't so much as held a soldering gun in my hand in over 30 years.
So all things being said, I'm happy to have taken the route I did in buying a turn-key unit.
"It's easy enough for a hobbiest to tune around their intended frequency with a scanner to check for spurs, and to check the harmonic frequencies up the scale to verify a "non-certified kit" isn't blasting out noise on other bands - having high-end measurement equipment is not needed."
It's easy enough if said hobbiest has everything on hand to check things. A lot of the members here at Part15.us do have the necessary gear, in some cases the same gear the FCC field agents use, and others with industrial grade measuring gear such as myself. But there are also a lot of members who are just starting out, be it with the electronic hobby itself, or getting into Part 15 broadcasting and the whole can of worms it brings as well.
There is a lot to discover even for the mid-level hobbiest who has yet to dive into THIS particular field of radio...Part 15 broadcasting.
I see questions from new members in not just this forum but others as well about what is the best transmitter, antenna, coax, ground system, audio processing, etc etc...which suggests the person may not be on the level as you or I or some of the other advanced here.
With that in mind, when someone starts asking about transmitters, most of the responses would be based on the initial post of the Op. In this particular thread, it suggests the Op is looking for something "Plug N Play" that meets legal requirements with the least amount of worry.
But there is no reason for not considering other options to the more expensive ones. After all, its a free country, free to choose.
I have to agree that there is a cost savings with kits vs the certified assembled units. But let's not look at that only or only look at it from our advanced point of view.
I'm not sure who the reference is to in creating fear mongering over certified vs non-certified...kinda lost me..no doubt another..with that one.
"You could also buy a used 1000W commercial broadcast transmitter cabinet for a grand and dial it down to only output 100mW if that makes you feel better about yourself, but you are still putting out the same power that the rest of us are."
I'm not sure what the point here is..considering the price difference in discussion is not too far off between a used 1Kw and a new Rangemaster delux (pll/meter/whip). Most here already know that too big a box for such a little job is not only pointless, but quite an electric bill surprise too at the end of the month..tuned down or not. Besides....an FCC field agent having a bad day wouldn't like that too well!
"Now, for a college part15 station or community operated station which has capital to invest then sure a Rangemaster would be fine. And if I came across a second-hand Rangemaster at a very significant discount I'd use it, I'm sure it's a wonderful rig. Also if you want to get into part15 but don't have any experience with soldering kits together (or already know that you don't have the aptitude for soldering kits together) then sure a pre-assembled kit is fine. But you could also invest the money saved into your airchain audio processing gear and have a great sounding station for the price of just a Rangemaster."
Some Part 15 broadcasters..outside of a college or community effort, are mere individuals who not only do invest considerable capital into their stations...(ie audio processing gear)...but also consider their operations much much more than just a hobby. Some sell commercial airtime, or sell access airtime, or set up a downtown merchants collaborative effort to revive downtown shopping.
Considering the costs of kits, and the tight budgets most work with...again outside of the college or collective community efforts, even the kits are a capital investment for those serious about broadcasting under Part 15. Some will go to the extent of hiring consulting engineers and installers, perhaps even hire an enthusiastic ham operator to assemble their kit, or pay a little extra to the kit maker to assemble the harder areas of the unit..like those nice little SMD IC's you need a microscope to see the separation between each pin or the very expensive soldering tools necessary to even place one accurately onto the PC board...tho a lot of the kits already have those put in place these days...but just a couple years ago there were kits with these SMD chips you had to install, or pay a little extra to have them installed prior to the kit being shipped.
To sum all this up, the Op now has a lot to consider giving all the replies to their post. No one here that I can see, is attempting to fear monger, or slam sticks on tables or declaring one unit over another. What we are seeing in here is the very wide variance of suggestions and ideas for the Op to choose from, all of which are excellent I might add! 🙂
RFB
Nothing to add here.. but I want to correct my earlier post concerning the whip antenna where I said a 72" whip -- that should have said a 102" whip.
Surprisingly, nobody caught that.
I did..but I had to return the "BUZZIT" box or be charged for another day's rent! 😉
RFB
I'm glad, the last BUZZIT you gave me made me cringe in embarrassment.
Back to the topic at hand, I think that Carl Blare got it right. There is no absolute best transmitter, but there certainly is a best one out there for you.
You considerations, in no particular order, since everyone would have a different priority, based on what they want to do:
- Budget
- Assembled vs kit
- Availability of antennas and what is acceptable where you live or work
- Who is your audience, what do they have to receive your signal, where are they?
- Closely related, but not exact, what is your desired range with a listenable signal (and define what the latter is)
- Don't forget about programming, etc.
Whenever you ask a question such as this, you get all sorts of answers. There are lots of people who suddenly gain religion when asked about the 'best' LPAM transmitter, and go off on what works for THEM. You have to figure out what will work for you and your needs.
That being said, I used a Rangemaster, as I valued FCC certification and the turnkey nature of it. However, now I use a Decade MS-100 and/or a Landmark FM-350 for FM broadcasting, as we have more liberal field strength regulations for FM here in Canada. Feel free to ignore anything I've said in the last paragraph.
Well, one things for sure, this is a fun thread!
It would be interesting to have a multiple choice type poll implemented which would show total results of the make & model part15 transmitters which are used as their primary units, with separate AM FM & CC categories.
Guy's,
Thanks so much for the info! I knew y'all would provide some excellent material for me. To answer a few questions: I don't want to, nor desire to assemble any kits. My application will include commercial material. I would like to broadcast at least 1/2 mile with good usage, anything beyond that would be a bonus.
Again, thanks for all your help and may each of you have great broadcasting success in 2012!
Phence
You are very welcome, phence, and I am sure I speak for the group in wishing you well, and we very much hope to hear from you as you build, as we'd like to know about your experience as it develops.
I would assume that you don't want to build a base loaded antenna as well. That would leave the ProCaster and the Rangemaster as the 2 transmitters to look at, particularly to meet that 1/2 mile range requirement.
Is there a big differance between the ProCaster and the Rangemaster?
rangemaster there is setup involved but can modulate 125% and standard unit is crystal procaster is pretty much plug and play but can't be modulated to 125% and comes standard with pll