Decade is the one that I had in the past. It was pretty good. It was also
certified in the USA. IT said it had a signal strength of 250uv at 3 meters.
That transmitter ran from $450 to $500. They had 2 models one with Stereo and
the other without the stereo signal. They said if you were going to have stations
at a far distance to use the non stereo transmitter.
I really like decade but the antenna came right out of the transmitter and you
really needed to place it into a weather proof box to keep it dry to mount
it outside.
I know those transmitter were only made in Canada. Anyways I have low noise here
so the AM transmitters work really well for me.
Thanks
I know this is so far off of why I open this thread,but if I can help someone then
it is worth it.
Anyways before I go into the AM station. I loved working the FM part 15 transmitters.
Decade had these models when I started out.
Model 100S Not stereo
and the
Model 100MS Stereo transmitter
Both these were Part 15 compliant transmitters.
Here is a review of those transmitters.
http://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/reviews/Decade-MS-100s-FM-Transmitter-02.php
Also here is Decade website
Anyways I am posting this to help anyone who is just starting out in the FM band.
Realize the FCC is far more strict with the FM band and I would try and
get a FCC approved transmitter only because you will not have problems because
they already approved these as legal FM transmitters, If you build a FM
radio transmitter kit you better have the expensive test equipment to prove
you are not over that 250uv @ 3 meter power level. With the dacade transmitter
it already been shown that these transmitters do not exceed the FCC requirements.
AM transmiters are not so hardly judge as the FM transmitter and more
people get fined on FM because their transmitters are over powered.
Decade a good product and it will keep you legal.
I ran a Decade transmitter 3 blocks from the FCC building when I lived in Virginia.
They knew I was there and I told them before I even went on the air that
I was running a decade transmitter. Well for about 5 years I ran this and they never
once bothered me because they knew there was no reason to even check my set up
because they knew my transmitter meet their requirements. It saves alot a trouble
to use a FCC certified transmitter on FM because most people cannot measure
that 250uv @ 3 meters.
I will tell you one thing. I have a pair of FM walkie Talkies on 49 mhz.
They are rated at 10,000 uv @ 3 meters output power and the receiver is
rated at .5 uv sensitivity. They barely reach 1/2 apart when I talk on them.
That alot more then 250uv @ 3 meters power level.
This is why I have never expect much out of such a lower power on FM
transmitter.
My walkie talkies rated at 10,000 uv @ 3 meters and a much greater power
level. They are FM but at 49 Mhz
Sad that the only reach around a 1/2 mile ,so do expect some great distance
out of 250uv power level.
Thanks
Hi everyone
I am posting this because this is listed as a Porfessional grade transmitter.
Also it shows the different variation on this transmitter if you click on it.
http://www.decade.ca/en/products.htm
IT the MS-100 transmitter. The others are not legal in the united states.
Here is the link to see price and veriations of this transmitter.
http://www.decade.ca/en/products.php?prd=2450369694
I only did this to help out the ones on this site who really want to get very
serious about FM broadcasting..
I really hope this helps out. I did FM radio along time ago but now I have moved
on to AM broadcasting. These transmitter will get you on the ari legally if
you have no experience in taking measurements of your power level also you will
know you are getting the max power out the FCC alows.
The FCC did tell me I could mount it on a mast or tower. See hight does
help and still no matter what you do the Decade MS-100 or S-100 will never
output more than 250uv @ 3 meters. So hight just improves you distance since
FM is line of site type transmitting. Really the FCC can get a crane and stand
60 feet in the air at 10 feet from you antenna and it will still measure
250uv @ 3 meters. You cannot go wrong with this because the powere level is already
set on these transmitters. Use the transmitter with the telescopic antenna this
keeps you legal.
Thanks
Hi, Seankw40, Yeah, one of the rules says the antenna must be attached to the transmitter(here in Canada). The decade is expensive because they're made in Canada...hand made. The CM-10 is reasonably priced though.
I like the Wholehouse(3) because the pre-emphisis is adjustable, has stereo or mono selection, built in mixer(voice can be transmitted with music) and can work on batteries.
Mark
30 meters is 100FT not 100YDS
Sorry for mistake! But doesn't change post.
Mark
Hi Mark. I know that the Canadian rules state that the antenna must be attached to the transmitter (non removable) but I have an early Landmark FM transmitter that is Industry Canada certified, and it has a removable dipole wire antenna with an 'F' connector. Don't know how that slipped by. Its sound is comparable to the Decade (which is pretty amazing considering it cost about $150 at the time), but even with the dipole antenna stretched out in a PVC pipe, and mounted vertically, its range was less than the Decade. It was meant for looping messages (it has an industrial grade CD ROM built in, but you can drive it directly with audio), and it even has a built-in AC power suppy with filtering! Unfortunately, they're long gone from the marketplace.
Hi Artisan! Hope your move is going ok.
I looked up the Landmark transmitter and the company is alive and well! it seems. There is a S100 which is $479 US
and it looks to be built quite well...has a five year warranty and is FCC compliant, not certified. It's US based and doesn't say if industry Canada certified at all. They're based in Albany NY. Seems to be built very rugged to take some abuse. Stereo broadcast. Probably will be less range than allowed here if FCC compliant but an antenna extention could fix that.
Thought you'd like to know.
Mark
They used to make a whole range of FM transmitters, from el cheapo mp3 type very short range to the one I have, I believe it's called the FM-100 (which has that magical FCC/Industry Canada certification sticker on it - in Canada it's certified under RSS210).
There has been some backchatter conversation that the FCC does not bop you over the head on FM until you exceed the Industry Canada limits because of the cross border implications. So that being said, yes the 250 uV/M at 3 meters is still the rule, but.....