I've just ordered the current model Broadcastvision FM transmitter for testing. If it arrives in a timely fashion I should have field strength tests in a week or so. Our forcast (so far anyway) is calling for sunshine and 60 degrees at the end of this week (which is very uncommon up here this time of year).
So if it arrives in the time stated, and the weather holds I should be able to pull it off. This will likely be the last possible "out in the field" test I'll be able to pull off this year.
And if anyone cares, I have three Whole House 3.0 transmitters for sale, brand new except for about two minutes of operation for testing. They're on ebay with a buy it now of 89.77 including free priority mail shipping. That's about $40 or so below buying one new from them after accounting for shipping. Just in case someone wants to take a chance on one!
TIB
Wow and that is a Good Price. Since I have no money for more transmitters at this time I will mention this to a friend of mine who might Love that Transmitter.
Great test Tin.
Intresting to see what the broadcastvision tests show.
Mark
for doing all of these tests. I find
it to be very interesting. I look forward
to reading this thread and I really got
a kick out of the Wholehouse 3.0 thread.
I don't have any commets right now, but
reading this is fun.
Brooce, Part 15, Hartford, CT
Certified or not remember these common sence rules:
1. NEVER broadcast on an EVEN frequency on FM AKA 88.2,88.4, 88.6 and so on. Allways use ODD 88.1, 88.3, 88.5,and so on.
2. Always make sure that a totally Blank frequency is below and above your intended frequency. For example if you use 100.1 FM 99.9 and 100.3 need to be totally BLANK
3. If the temperature is going to DROP 20 degrees or more at night you need to start checking every hour after 6PM to make sure your still on a blank frequency. Also check the one above and below yours.
4. NEVER operate an FM transmitter with a distance greater than 10 feet in a large Radio market. This keeps you from getting FCC complaints from jealous Radio station owners or a citizen Radio Sheriff.
I can definitely agree with #2 of Legacy's recommendations. #1 is a very good point if your intention is to be heard by other listeners, if not then feel free to broadcast on whatever frequency you want within the FM broadcast band.
#4 is just not practical and #3 can be safely ignored since not even full powers do that. (FWIW nobody outside of us has any idea what the difference between a full power and low power are unless your product is just that awful)
I didn’t mean to hijack this topic, but I’ll explain some of my reasons for recommendations that I’ve laid out here:
#1 is important BECAUSE if you use an EVEN frequency your interfering with two ODD regular broadcast channels. This is one thing The New Radio Revolution is going to make illegal to do for the New hobby RADIO SERVICE AND POSSIBLY PART 15 FM if me and my associates have our way about it. We have a responsibility as hobbyists to PROVE that we are responsible with our limited broadcast privileges we have.
#3 is VERY important because we are not Licensed. We are Unlicensed Broadcasters which means we are at the bottom of the barrel just like a homeless person has to eat from the garbage we have to use what is left from our Broadcast licensee masters. We are like Dogs to them and we mean NOTHING I repeat nothing to them. And when our spokesmen for the New Radio Revolution talked to the FCC agents and told them what I do the agent said he LIKES WHAT I’M DOING AND TO KEEP IT UP!!
#4 almost gets legal stations NOUO’s because complaints often will come not only because they think you’ll interfere, but because you’ll take their listeners. I know of a person who got inspected with his FM station and was only getting out 300 Ft off his property. But because he was close to the station owner of another licensed station in a Radio market he was harassed by an agent because of this. Lets not even bring up the Talking House AM Transmitter that the antenna was only on the floor and the agent made him TURN IT OFF. And again its Certified (so much for that being the holy grail).
“nobody outside of us has any idea what the difference between a full power and low power are unless your product is just that awful) “ That old guy who has a extra class Ham license and feels that everyone should have to jump through the same hoops ans he did sure does. He will look up the call sign, and then check for any class of license you may or may not possess. Case in point Mr. Ham operator who vandalized a legal part 15 station.
Part of the reason that station in Mich got away for so long with their 1 mile Christmas Light station is because its 24/7/365 Christmas Music and because they are a little bit off the Major Market. For example you don’t run an FM transmitter in Dallas, TX or Miami, FL. Common sense should rule here.
The Broadcastvision transmitter has arrived. I must say it's an impressive device. Doesn't feel like a toy like so many of the others. Has all the certification information clearly and properly displayed, and this little bugger has some heft to it.
Weather is looking good up here. We're being blessed by unseasonably nice weather with sunshine and 60's predicted for the next week or so! This is HIGHLY unusual. So, by the weekend I should have field strength, spectrum analyzer and modulation tests to report.
Initial impression is this is a very substantial device, not a flimsy toy. We shall see how it fares.
TIB
As for the weather, hopefully we'll be blessed a lot more. Thank you global warming!
Mark