I don't think they would really get all technical about the content of your transmitter or what you do with it audio wise. And technically the CZE-T200 has a mic jack too. Id like to think they had these FM transmitters in mind so as not to interfere with the 88.1-107.9 Mhz part of the spectrum. Keep in mind once again the Scoche. I still think they knew this was comming when they made that transmitter so it was able to go down to 87.9 Mhz. I'd say boost the TX to 50 mW now that its legal down there. This is the best news for Part 15 FM operators. And I didn't even have to get a petition going for the 87.9 Mhz and increased field strength for this to happen. What a gift from God.
A legal Part 15 AM will always get better range than any legal Part 15 FM, all other things being equal. FM is limited to a field strength of 250 uV/m whether you're running .000001 watts or 10 watts. There is no limit on transmitter power, just field strength for FM. 250 uV/m in my recent actual tests with broadcast test equipment and in open fields with line of site to the transitter about the best I could do with FM was between 250 and 300 feet. My AM goes 7100 feet. AM is limited by input power (100mw) and antenna/ground length.
Now of course there are ppossible variations, like if you're in a spot where interference to the AM band is so severe you can't be heard 25 feet away, but that's pretty rare. And of course FM range tests depend on a million variables. You could be heard 1/4 mile away if you're standing in just the right spot and have a really good, sensitive radio.
You need to do some experimenting with your AM transmitter to see if you do better at your intended location with an elevated install with no ground lead or a ground installation with good ground. For me, elevated worked better. The elevated ground lead discussion goes around and around ad infinitum here and all other forums. Suffice to say you can't run a long wire from the ground connection on the transmitter down the side of a building, pople, tower, etc and ground it. Or use a tower as a ground.
TIB
Nolen - For a general background, you might want to read through FCC OET Bulletin 63 titled "Understanding the FCC Regulations for Low-Power, Non-Licensed Transmitters."
It can be downloaded from the list at the URL below.
https://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/oet-bulletins-line
Nolen - if you are located in or near the Denver, Co metro area i do offer engineering services for a fee to part 15's
contact [email protected]
TheLegacy said (in a post up above): "I'd say boost the TX to 50 mW now that its legal down there. This is the best news for Part 15 FM operators. And I didn't even have to get a petition going for the 87.9 Mhz and increased field strength for this to happen. What a gift from God."
No no no, don't do it yet!
The FCC document linked by Rock95seven (in another thread) describes allowing WIRELESS MICS on certain TV channels below 88.1 MHz using a power of 50 mW, but the document may or may not pertain to Part 15 FM broadcast transmitters. It is only hopeful thinking on our part to wonder if it does.
Unfortunately I don't live in Colorado. I wish I did, it is such a beautiful place. (at least all the places I have been to).
I'm in the Austin area of Texas. I have a friend who is an engineer, I just don't know his feelings about part15 stations. Based on what I know about the guy I think he probably isn't going to be too excited about helping someone who is setting up an unlicenced station. We'll see though. I still have to raise the 4 thousand dollars needed to even buy the equipment and find somone willing to put it on their property and give me access to their internet and electricity before I even think about an engineer. Lucky for me I have a few friends on this project so I'm not going it alone.
Everyone has been really helpful answering my questions. I really appreciate that. This is a really good website with a very nice community!
oh you are stuck in texassastan, i will pray for you that you find your way out of there.
Lol it feels that way. At least Austin is not so bad. The traffic really really really sucks though. It takes 50 minutes to get to a place that is 30 minutes away at least. Not as bad as New York or LA though I imagine.
Hey I just realized I'm not the new guy anymore! Cool.