Hi 928GTS!
do I have to do all the modifications on the SSTRAN website that require you to take out components, etc. to have it work with one of those antennas
I think that it is necessary to do the mods noted on the SSTRAN site to use an external base loaded antenna with the AM3000. This is because the internal components in the antenna matching portion of the circuit were not designed to work with the kind of antenna we're talking about.
That being said, I don't think it's necessary to physically remove the components from the board if your unit is already assembled. I'm guessing you just need to jumper around the internal matching section.
Please confirm that with http://www.sstran.com SSTRAN (they are pretty responsive and supportive), as the person who designed the circuit will have the best info 😳
how would I ground it? Would I simply run a thick wire from the mast down to a few steel spikes driven down into the ground and hook it up to those spikes?
Yes, if the ANT is up that high, you'll need a way to bring a ground connection up to your location. Using the strictest interpretation of Part 15 rules, the long ground wire might be somewhat “outside the lines,” but it might be best to experiment to see which ANT location and ground configuration works best. After you get things working the way you like, then take a look at improving compliance. Check our http://www.part15.us/modules.php?name=FAQ FAQs when you get to that point.
Also scwis do you have any larger pictures of the assembly process that are shown on the first page
I’ll check on that. The photos were from another website by mlr, which is now gone. The originals were huge, so if mlr still has them you’ll be set.
also the page cites it's for 1700khz, I’m probably going to settle down around 1610-1630, will it still work well there?
Yes, with a few more turns of wire on the coil. A rough estimate would be 66 turns for 1610 and perhaps 64 turns for 1630. This type of antenna will probably work down to around 1400 KHz. After that, the resistance from all the turns of wire needed for a good match starts to get pretty severe.
I'll bet a lot of folks who are sitting on the sidelines right now would be very interested in how your project turns out! Any photos or comments you can send back would be very much appreciated, I'm sure 😀
I just have one last question,I was browsing the Rangemaster site and noted that they recommend a 102" Radioshack CB whip(Located HERE)and I was wondering how well that would work? I heard that CB antennas are no good for Part 15 but if thats true then why are the Rangemaster people recommending it?
A CB antenna definitely will not work on AM BCB, but the Rangemaster doesn't use a CB antenna per se, just the 102" whip. The 102" whip serves as the radiating element, similar to the 9 foot (108") copper pipe on the Manteca Magnum.
The Magnum uses an air coil for matching and the pipe for a radiator. I believe the Rangemaster has a toroidal matching coil built into the final stage of the XMTR, and uses the whip as a radiator.
Probably should ask http://www.am1000rangemaster.com/ Kieth Hamilton, the manufacturer of that unit, to get the definitive answer, but the toroid coil/whip radiator approach is used by several transmitter designs, including Rangemaster, the late James Cunningham's transmitters and the http://www.part15.us/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=5 Wenzel unit.
What's best? Who knows? Some insist the toroid/whip approach doesn't work, others state flatly that the air coil is useless 
I say hook the mother up, put some fire in the wire and see what works for YOU! 8)
Well, Guys.. I'll be getting my SSTRAN maybe this weekend. I ordered the kit and if it comes in this weekend, I'll be playing around real soon! I'll keep ya updated as things come togather..
Hope you'll send along any photos, first impressions or real life experiences
I'd love to see how you'll integrate that into your "off grid" system - you might be one of our first off-grid broadcasters! 8)
I'm actually really excited about this one... totally different from what I'm used to.. 🙂
Well.. It's up and running! I messed with the wire antenna first, just to see if I put it togather correctly. I'm playing with an 102" whip now. It loads up pretty good wth the circuit stock. I'm getting about 4 volts at the test point. They don't give any voltages to go by in the manual so I don't know if this is a good level or not..
The audio quality is great! I'm putting a cd player into it directly via the line out jack and the levels are easy to adjust. The only problem I have is the power on l.e.d. isn't working. I don't think it's a big problem. Maybe just a bad one..
I'm not impressed with the range yet. I'll play some more and see what happens. I'll get some pics comming too.
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[b:494236b262]UPDATE[/b:494236b262]
I built a coil and played around some more. The range increased somewhat but I still wasn't impressed. I have a ground rod pounded into the ground connected to the xmtr at the ant. port. I used a field strength meter to tune with. I monitored the voltage at the test points..
I tapped and tweaked, taped and peaked till I was crazy and still no added distance. I was at witts end! I remembered I had a box of telephone wire in the shed..
I cut 4 pieces about 20' long and connected them to the ground. Stretched them out in 4 directions from the ground.. WOW! The field stength doubled! The voltage at the test points increased to around 6 volts. I added 4 more and had to retune the coil tap to get a good peak..
Check out my "Studio"... lol Click on the pic..
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