Hello everyone...I signed up just now.
I purchased four Talking House transmitters on eBay. I'd like to mount this in my attic, but running audio lines from the basement (studio location) could be problematic. Can I install this transmitter in my basement and still get decent coverage? Any help would be gladly appreciated.
Other opinions will be arriving from other part 15 people, but I think I might be the first one on the scene.
Since you have 4 of those transmitters, start out by putting one of them in the basement so that your audio line reaches.
If you mount the transmitter up in the over-head joists of the basement ceiling, drop the antenna so it hangs vertically..... attach a small weight such as a fishing tackle weight near the floor so the antenna is kept straight.
Test it in this condition following the manual's instructions for grounding the transmitter, if it needs a ground.
It should very well serve your house upstairs and probably out in the yard, maybe farther.
To compare with an attic mount, place a 2nd transmitter in the attic with a 10-foot vertical antenna, no audio, so you can compare distance coverage with the basement.
If you use the same frequency for both transmitters, only run one at a time or they will conflict with each other. Or, use two nearby frequencies so you can have them both on for the distance test.
If you have an iPod or Walkman you could use that for audio on the attic transmitter.
Let me know the results.
I second Carl's suggestions and here is why:
I have two identical transmitters, each with a base coil loaded 3 meter antenna, one installed on the ceiling of my basement (antenna horizontal) and the other installed outdoors (antenna vertical) over a buried ground radial system.
The range of the indoor unit assessed via a car radio is about 2/3rds the range of the outdoor unit. So, at least for my setup there is a difference in range but not as much as might be expected.
Your installation will be different from mine and may not work the same but start simple as Carl suggested. Later, if you get a chance, try the attic installation using temporary audio leads to the basement so you can compare the range. Then you can decide if seeking a permanent attic install is worth the trouble.
Neil