I think C.Crane states that the "orphans" have been checked over to assure their condition, but we shall see.
I knew a woman who tried a C.Crane FM Transmitter and was very displeased and returned it.
With their stub antennas they give such poor performance that you might as well just skip the radio and use your ears straight to the CD player, but with an improved antenna and checked for Part 15 field strength they get better.
Even orphans can be returned.
I'm surprised it's that much to the circuit! Some of the small FM transmitters for mp3 players have just a couple of ic's and a few dozen other components on a board to fit the case and that's all. If that's what CCran is still using, that's great, audio limiter diodes, MAX drive chip and tuned circuit on the ouptut.
I think a main deal about the Version 2 C.Crane FM is an improved FM synthetic chip.
I believe I read that in a review linked somewhere in this maze.
We will have to see if there is any difference in range.
For your convenience here again is Radio Jay Allen's Review of the FM2, indeed mentioning the new improved chip, improved signal to noise ratio and other upgrades.
I don't see that he talked about range at all.
http://radiojayallen.com/c-crane-fm-transmitter-2/
I don't know why Range was not talked about in the article. He did talk about the audio quality. It may stand up against SainSonic's Audio which in my opinion is very good. Its very clear and not too muddy but you really have to pay attention to the way you drive the audio of the transmitter. Since NextKast has audio compression built in this is a very nice companion to any FM Transmitter but really works well with mine. I could imagine the C. Crane would really sond good with NextKast as well since they do have the indicator to warn when your over modulating the transmitter.
Sitting on a home frequency is what licensed stations do. They are only able to move to a different spot on the dial with great effort, expense, and might not be able to do it at all.
Part 15 is a different animal. It can change frequencies as often as desired, using the good practice of charting out clear channels.
Following many days on a single frequency it began to bother me that strangers might discover the programming and tune in as a habit, so I jumped to a different frequency without notice.
The wonderful disappearing radio station.
Why would anyone try to dodge the potential audience? That's an easy one. KDX is not seeking a radio audience of strangers. KDX exists as the personal customized radio station of Carl Blare.
At times KDX is only AM, at other times FM, flitting around the dial.
The ultimate will be when they all get turned on at the same time.
One of my measuring devices is a Grundig Satellit 750 Radio with S-meter, range 0-5.
But on the FM band the S-meter sits on 4 across the whole band.
The other bands are ok, AM and SW, the meter ranges from 0 up to 5. But on FM everything is always "4."
Where can one turn, what is there to do?
Either the meter was not meant to measue FM or the voltage inside the Radio to the meter is too high when on FM. Not too sure if there is a way to calibrate the meter or not. Brobably would have to know a radio repair man that would even be willing to mess with the meter in the first place. Heck I've seen CB meters do the exact same thing you just mentioned.
The C. Crane FM1 (and FM2) has a battery compartment for 2x AA batteries, which I installed with new batteries.
The antenna on the C.Crane was at 7", frequency = 89.5 MHz.
The AT5005 Spectrum Analyzer was in its permanent position in the NW corner of Blare Towers Executive Office desk with telescopic antenna raised 14".
How close to get a maximum reading on the scope? Anser, 4-inches = 80 dBu.
In order to set the scope for a stronger signal I'd need to push a -10 dBu attenuator button, but I keep it set at "wide-open," no attenuation, because no signals exist in my vicinity that exceed the analyzer's range in this mode.
The C.Crane was moved to the center of the office onto a 2-foot stack of books for a reading of 50 dBu.
The C.Crane was set in the SW corner of the office by the copier, 30" above the floor : 50 dBu.
Just inside the doorway of the next room the C.Crane was set in its "usual position" on top of the computer : 50 dBu.
In the center of the computer room, known as the Vacuum Room, along the western wall the C.Crane was placed at the base of Tower 1, a bamboo indoor tripod tower : 39 dBu.
Mounted also on Tower 1 is Wholehouse 2.0 which was set to 106.9 MHz : 34 dBu.
Out of curiosity I re-tuned Wholehouse 2.0 to 89.5 MHz for comparison : 48 dBu.
Returning to the C.Crane it was set center of Vauum Room on a foot-stool : 38 dBu, and for an unknown reason the carrier was pulsing up and down about 1 dBu. The overhead (3) lightbulbs are LED type, possibly interferring.
Moving to the center of a third room, the Upper Management Lounge, C.Crane : 38 dBu.
Top shelf of tall (5') shelving unit by Panasonic Radio, C. Crane : 33 dBu.
Because the Wholehouse 2.0 had exhibited different power outputs at different frequencies, I set C.Crane to 106.9 and tested it from base of Tower 1 : 20 dBu.
Last, I placed C.Crane within 4" of spectrum analyzer antenna : 61 dBu.
Main Observation : These Part 15 certified transmitters output different field strengths at different frequencies.
Which one was more even the Whole House or the C. Crane? I see where the Whole House was 10 dbu above the C. Crane on some frequencies.
The Wholehouse 2.0 is overall stronger in this present test.
Wholehouse 2.0 : 89.5 MHz = 48 dBu ; 106.9 MHz = 34 dBu.
C.Crane FM1 : 89.5 = 39 dBu ; 106.9 MHz = 20 dBu.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: The telescopic antenna (fully extended 12") is temporarilly removed from my C.Crane FM1 due to a defective coupler to the circuit card, and is replaced by a 7" vertical wire. Therefore with the full 12" certified antenna the readings would be higher.
What's To Come -
This week I'll receive a C.Crane FM2 and will annoint it as the new laboratory standard certified FM transmitter.
What I'll do right away is sweep the band to report on how output fields vary from low to high on the dial.
The C.Crane FM2 Transmitter arrived already... how did the C.Crane Company get it here so fast?
Funny, I heard a bonk out on the porch and saw that the mailman had dropped the box, but I wasn't worried. These little transmitters are made to withstand being dropped and stepped on.
Meanwhile, I had repaired and restored the 12" telescopic antenna on the FM1.
So I set them up side-by-side, outfitted with new double-A batteries, 16" inches from the spectrum analyzer, and looked at low band, mid-band, and high band FM.
FM1:
89.5 MHz = 53 dBu
101.5 MHz = 43 dBu
106.9 MHz = 45 dBu.
FM2:
89.5 MHz = 50 dBu
101.5 MHz = 48 dBu
106.9 MHz = 44 dBu.
MY FINAL REMARK: These certified FM transmitters are all putting out more or less the same field strength, varying across the frequency band.
Interesting Test and though the FM2 may be a little better yes it is so close there really isn't much difference. I'd like to see the difference between that and the Whole House FM transmitter 3.0. Plus I'd like to know how far it could possibly be received in its stock condition. Actually Marc did a pretty good test with it and he got 800 Ft. So we'd have to see what Tim gets out of his. Maybe the key is the building and the area around you. AM at least does have potential for more legal range as far as I can see. I'd like to see what can be done with the Talking House or the AM Stereo transmitter I saw in the video. The night time inversions do kill it for me and I don't want to cause any issues so I go silent when this happens.
These little FM transmitters down here inside the house sort of get 200-feet.
If they were up on a chimney mast above the house then we'd be seeing 800' or better.
That's the way it is.