Hi Guys!
I have no info on this. A local
college might be thinking about a
Part 15 AM. I don't know if it's
for a "station" or just as some kind
of automated system that gives directions,
Hi Guys!
I have no info on this. A local
college might be thinking about a
Part 15 AM. I don't know if it's
for a "station" or just as some kind
of automated system that gives directions,
or something like that.
I have read about all of the certified units
many times, but being just an experimenter-dude,
with kits, and home built stuff, I have no
actual experience with any of these units.
I also don't know how much money they have to
spend.
Is there any basic info you guys can give me
about the certified built AM units?
Maybe just:
-What is certified
-Which ones have external tuning units
-And what you personally think about them.
I can do the rest my self. The engineer that
is over at this college is the best there is
around here. He is first rate and has
pretty much seen it all in his forty plus
years of work in radio.
He's just asking OUR opinion.
Thanks a lot you guys.
Bruce, DRS2
Well, the Talking House system is a certified tansmitter and has the distinction of being certified for use with a remote antenna. Perhaps one of the only with that option.
The remote antenna (up to 300 feet separation) lets you put the antenna where it can make a difference while keeping the transmitter out of the weather.
Now, you take that Talking House transmitter, stick it in a nice box along with some support hardware like a digital audio recorder and you mount the Talking House ATU in another nice box with the whip antenna attached to the box and you have the Info Spot.
Built around the Talking House system, the Info Spot is a bit pricey (sic) but as a turnkey operation, very easy to setup and operate.
Here is a LINK to information about Info Spot.
I don't have an Info Spot but I do use the Talking House with the remote antenna. For what I have invested I'm more than satisfied with its performance.
Part 15 AM transmitters don't have to be certified to use them, but certification is necessary to sell them, although the FCC gives a pass to manufacturers of uncertified kits. The requirements of 15.219 have to be met, however, whether or not you are using certified or uncertified transmitters.
It's a good idea to use only certified units for Part 15 FM because, if you don't have an FIM, you really don't know if the transmitter is compliant with the rules.
Based on Doggradio 2's question, it seems to be understood that AM Part 15 is the way to go, and of course Rangemaster1000 and Procaster are certified units with plenty of history in the campus application.
If carrier current is at all suitable in this situation, the only current manufacturer we know about is Radio Systems, which would be about $3k for a transmitter (2-20Watts) and coupler.
A more complex carrier current installation, with divider networks and multiple transmitters, may be needed to get into multiple buildings.
However, there is no reason there cannot also be FM transmitters in very strategic locations, as an adjunct to the AM system.
I appreciate it. Yup - I just
thought certification of the transmitter
would be good for my friend - it sort
of leaves nothing to question in that
area.
He and I will take a look at the Talking
House and everything else that you mentioned
MRAM. I can't remember, do you prefer
Robert or Bob? My dad's name is Robert,
but everybody calls him Bob. MY MIDDLE
NAME is Robert. I actually like it a lot
better than the name Bruce.
Carl - I just saw your post. We must have
been typing at the same time. I will also
forward your info to my friend. Thank you again!
Best Wishes,
Bruce (Bummer) DOGGRADIO STUDIO 2
"on't know if it's for a "station" or just as some kind
of automated system that gives directions, or something like that."
Well the intentions for operation of this station has to be known first before suggesting what TX and such should be used. The type of operations also helps determine which approach would be of most use and benefit, go through a 3 meter antenna system or a CC system or a simple wire out the back connector strung across the ceiling.
I would find out about the intended type of operation and use that information to suggest a system to best serve that type of operation.
RFB
You're right.
My friend has had some interesting
jobs over the years.
He has been the CE for many radio stations.
He built a 6 tower directional array
for a station in 1986. I would say
that was probably one of this biggest
challenges. Previously, the station
had been a 1000 watt daytimer. After that,
it was 5000 day, and 2500 night, and
different patterns day and night.
He built a radio station from the ground up
a while back.
He actually asked MY opinion on this Part 15
AM thing. He might be putting me in the loop
because he knows I will have fun
doing the research.
I bet it's just somebody's idea right
now, because if there is something
interesting going on, he usually fills
me in right away.
So I will talk to him, and see what
else I can find out.
Thanks RFB!
Bruce,
DOGGRADIO STUDIO 2
"I bet it's just somebody's idea right now, because if there is something interesting going on, he usually fills me in right away."
That is how things become reality..from ideas. Again depending on what kind of operations they wish to do, that will determine how to best go about it and not only that, maintain endurance to maintain the type of operation.
Of course there are the budget factors to consider when forming the road map to the goal.
It's exciting to hear about a potential new station and even more so that they are seeking your advice and opinion. There is no other greater contribution a Part 15 operator could give to the world of radio.
RFB
Thank you for the kind words.
I do appreciate them.
I have not heard from my friend
yet. But he is very busy just
like you are.
So we'll see what happens.
He is also the guy who is looking
through his stuff to find the
commercial carrier current coupler
that he has. When he gets around
to that, I will get it on an
indefinite loan.
It's the same coupler that I experimented
with several years ago. Of course, the
LPB RC-6A wasn't working then, but it's
doing great now....
Stay tuned,
Bruce, DOGGRADIO 1020
It's pretty simple.
This is a small commuter college with a
small campus and no dorms. (I've been
there. It's a really nice place.)
They have an active internet "radio station,"
and they just want to be able to say
that they are also "On The Radio."
The transmitter will just be for cars
that are driving on the campus. It's
a small area.
That's it.
My friend is happy because they're
paying him to put it in.
Thank you everybody!
I do appreciate it!
Bruce, DOGGRADIO STUDIO 2
What school is it? We have a Rangemaster here at Saint Leo.
I think my friend has already ordered
a transmitter. He tends to do things
fast once he gets going.
My friend - I've known him since I was
14 years old.
I'm 57 now, so that makes... UH... uh..
43 years??? Oh MAN. Anyway, he tends
to be private about business deals at
first. I have learned
this in all the years I've known him.
So in respect to him, just let me ask
him if disclosing the name of the school
is OK.
He really really is a good friend. About
half of the equipment in my Part 15 station
is dumpster stuff from real radio stations that
he was kind enough to send my way. Maybe the
gear is too old for a real commercial or
noncommercial station - but for my purposes,
the stuff is radio history, and I'm glad to
have it - like my 1962 Gates board, for instance.
In the meantime, John, it's nice to hear
from you again. I've seen your informative
posts on the board many times.
Thanks again!
Bruce, DOGGRADIO STUDIO 2