I think that this is at the very least a fake (the AM-2000's that is). I attempted to contact the guy and offered to purchase one but haven't heard a thing back.
Phil - Im the author of that Radio World article, and am still amazed at how much attention it draws a full 13 years after it was written.
You must know that LPFM was barely stirring back when I wrote it in 2000; people were tentatively dipping their toes and balking at the expense involved in putting up a low power FM operation with no assurance of what it would turn out to be. A low-power Part 15 AM operation would allow them to test the waters and assess whether or not there was public interest in a "new" station -- whether on AM or FM -- before committing to a big expensive buildout. Things were very different back in 2000.
That was the direction of the article -- it was a technical review that needed a reason for being. Existing station owners would not consider micropower AM, but a person or group giving early thought to an LPFM might try going on the air first with a lesser investment at stake, again just to test the viability.
I still have my AM-2000.
-Alan Peterson
Hi Guys I sent 2 message to stevievan2 asking for 2 transmitters so i can put up 2 am part 15 stations, but i have not heard anything yet from steve he might be busy, researching,etc. But to give you guys what happen to me when i purchase equipment I bought an Lpb-5d radio-cine in great condition the maf date of june 1981 she was a back up transmitter that was never used, on aug-3-2013 i purchased her, dummy load her she ran good for her age but still showed some issue will be repairing and keeping her and also i had a rangemaster that gave me issues from the start and it was NEW but it sat on shelf as well as a back up transmitter but i had more issue with the rangemaster then any other transmitter but i just want to tell you age and sitting around on shelf can play a big factor in how it operates but when i did kits i had i almost no issue even when they sat around. In conclusion if we don't here anything from stevevan2 can the guys who run the site try to contact him to see what he's going to do and let us know it's just a thought. Have a good day. jeff
Hi Jeff,
Did you contact Keith Hamilton regarding the rangemaster?
Hi Mlr I purchase it from someone who got it from rangemaster as new as was told it was new but it sat on a shelf for about a year before i purchased it and i know the guy very well where i got it from, i could send it back for repairs at rangemaster but was going to take sometime to get it back so i said to myself working in electronic factory field and repair for 14 years i can handle the repairs myself. I could tell the unit was used from experience i had in the feild but i didnt like the standoff so i came up with my own design. It run now but i dont care for the rangemaster that much. I just had to many issue with it and when i have to many issue i leave it alone and call it quites.
I wouldn't waste my time of the AM-2000. Either it's not legit, or he's changed his mind.
I also my purchased my Rangemaster used, and have had absolutely no problems with it. In fact, coupled with the Inovonics 222, it had the best sound, and the best range of any of the transmitters I've used. I suspect your problems are just in the particular transmitter you purchased, and perhaps the way it was treated (abused?). But the caveat is that I haven't had an SSTRAN 5000...until now. I'm in the process of setting that up, and will report the results here after the testing. Certainly within the month.
Never had any issues the product or the designer.
Never had any issues with the product or the designer.
Hi Guys Here is my answer when i contacted some of the company's !
1) RANGEMASTER-1) He needs to sell parts but he doent not like to! 2) It was going to take weeks to get my transmitter fixed ( so i fixed myself ) 3) He replays real quick on email but when i asked him for power light output circuit and schematic it's been 6 month with NO REPLAY also he said he let me know when parts come in still to this day HAVEN'T heard anything at all ( and been also been aprox 6 month )! 4) I asked him if his company was ISO certified and he said i think they are but wasn't sure, it's not good answer for an owner of a company to say about his business !
2) SSTRAN - I email them 3 times with question But no answer at all !, But i would like to purchase the sstran 5000 for my ant testing. Not sure if i'll get the unit do to the way they answer there emails!
3) PROCASTER - I contact them ,very quick in response and he said his company is iso certified at lest he knows whats going on in his company. I like to get one of his transmitter for my antenna test as well. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE GREAT COMPANY !!!!!
Just because i had issue with the rangemaster and sstran company's doesn't means someone else will not, but the customer service needs to be improved right away !!!
It doesn't mean i hate the companys but it means i wont do much business with them untill they make improvements!
Take note as well working in the electonic field for 14 years i have seen company receive a repair item rebuild it and turn around and sell it as new which is against the law ! and also mix there new parts with ther old parts and put it in new unit as well ! scarry thought seeing old parts in new units !
I dont mean to scare you guys but you need to know this information !
Since 2006 my experience with ssTran has been excellent!
I have 2 - AMT3000s and 1-AMT5000, and soon plan to purchase a second AMT5000.
The transmitter maker, Phil, is top rank professional and has answered every e-mail and request I've ever had, no matter how small.
Therefore I suggest to station8 that some other problem probably explains the lack of response you describe. Some e-mails get snagged as spam, it's happened to about everybody, or, maybe Phil is away on business or vacation, being the middle of summer.
We musn't be too hasty in spreading untrue complaints about those we call on.
It would seem to me as well that Mr. Hamilton, from everything I've heard from his customers, is a serious transmitter man and would not intentionally snub you.
Perhaps you come across like someone who is looking for a reason to go negative.
It's impolite to imply that companies are unreliable when you don't actually know what other explanations there might be. When I'd been in the radio field 14-years I understood that diplomacy is the best policy.
The part 15 world is small, and we don't want to wreck it with disagreements and misunderstandings.
Totally scared us.
So - what I would do, in your case, is build my own. Clearly you don't like whats out there, do something about it.
🙂
Hi carl i know there is many reason for things to happen but some of my issues went on and on even when after i personally talked to companys as well. some people have good luck and other like me have issues at time it just happens i learn to live with it i'm not negative about it but just letting you guys know things do happen.
Hi Mlr I didnt say that i didnt like the companys but the problems i haved running into thats what they need to fix thats all if you look i still whant to purchase a sstran 5000 as well as a procaster i am working on my own design am transmitter
My turn-around time for Rangemaster repair was less than 1 week. Sorry, I ain't buying it!
Yeah.. I'm with WDCX on this one.
"Don't feed the trolls, they are insatiable, and never tire."