Help!!
Got our SSTRAN AM transmitter put together and working today, now I need input from those of you who have already been down this road before.
Do I construct the vertical antenna they suggest in their instructions and use that, or is there a better way to go with this transmitter?
Is there any difference mounting this antenna at ground level with buried ground radials or elevating it on a mast with a couple of 8'ground rods?
Do I construct the vertical antenna they suggest in their instructions and use that, or is there a better way to go with this transmitter?
One thing to keep in mind with the SSTran is that the xmtr has some internal circuitry that needs to be adjusted depending on the kind of antenna you wish to use. It would probably be best to review the manual, but like the Gizmo and a few others, AFIK, there are some internal matching components designed to be used with a short wire for those who only want a yard-caster to work with their restored antique radios.
So step one would be to make sure the xmtr is set up for the antenna approach you wish to use.
After that, the best approach is heavily dependent on your local conditions - ground conductivity, terrain, nearby obstructions, things like that.
The best answer is to experiment with the various apporaches written about on Part15.us and see what works best. Human nature says start with the easiest approach, and work up 😀 it would be a bummer to put a bunch of effort into a complicated approach when a simpler set up would work OK.
So step one would be to make sure the xmtr is set up for the antenna approach you wish to use.
That was done during the build, and set for an external antenna per instructions. Just trying to avoid any pitfalls that I'm sure others here have had to deal with.
Also what is the minimum range I should expect? Just so I don't beat myself up trying to reach a goal that is not realistic.
Best thing is to contact SSTRAN via E Mail. Phil is a great guy and goes out of his way to help his customers. Tell him about your location, open field, buildings all about, etc., and what you want to achieve. You can build the antenna from scratch. You can also buy the SSTRAN antenna from the Antenna Guy found on the SSTRAN website. If you want to go half way, the Antenna Guy will sell you just the coil which is the hardest part to put together. One IMPORTANT thing is to tune the unit/antenna in it's final location, with final grounding in place. If any of that changes, it must be retuned. The tuning is very sharp and that's what gives you your range.
JimB
OK, Thanks for that info. 😉
If you built the kit, the mods are easy! *Mine had the cap with it also.*
If you were playing with the wire antenna that came with it, (like I did) just make these changes..
R-18: Remove completely, lift one end or "snip" one of the leads. Take it out of circuit.
C-23: Change from the 820 (821)pF to the *560 (561)pF*
R-14: Remove or jump out with a piece of wire. You can leave R-14 in there, just short it out with a small piece of wire.
S-5: Turn ALL of the switches "ON" This bypasses the tuning circuit on the board for the short wire antenna.
That's it!! Ready for an outdoor antenna..