Be carefull of the GAL-5(output chip) already on board. Very sensitive to blowing from static. Make sure you discharge static when assembling or touching antenna. A good idea to get extras of these....a little surface mount that you need a good desk magnifier to do it but not impossible.
And when the lovely ladies come hold on to this one!
Mark
Thanks Mark, I'll be delicate with that GAL-5.
Think about it... GAL-5 is the sensitive chip, GAL-1 and GAL-2 took my first two Ramsey FM transmitters.
What's the deal with GAL-3 and 4?
Right now I'm trying to print out the manual but it looks faded.. printer needs cleaning maybe.
Life sometimes is just like life and that's what's wrong with it.
Please note. Most pdf versions of the Ramsey owner's manuals do NOT include the schematic diagram.
I am a bit surprised that you settled for an emailed pdf copy of an owner's manual that SHOULD have been included with your kit when it arrived.
If it was me, I'd be telling them to mail me the official paper copy of the manual and a copy of the schematic diagram as well.
But, it's your dollar, your choice.
Bruce.
Let us know what 25 mW will do. I know the Ramsey puts that out. I'm sue it will sound great however.
They were extra kind and included a schematic with the e-mailed manual.
Now of course I reserve the right to ask for a printed copy, and I may do that.
Right now I'm printing it out and reading it so that when the new soldering tips arrive I can dig in and construct.
I still need to do a parts inventory to make sure everything is included.
Except for that sensitive GAL-5 chip it looks like it'll be an interesting FM transmitter.
Petra Cubonova ..Have mercy.
According to Wikipedia: The page "Petra Cubanova" does not exist.
However, Startpage the search engine thinks it knows what Barry meant:
http://www.wallpapervortex.com/wallpaper-29575-petra_cubanova_wallpaper.html#.Vi9fkm55cko
The only remaining task is to find common ground with the FM30B.
I have some spare GAL-5's if you have any problems.
...is since they're not certified it's up to the builder to determine their legal operation, and few have the meters to do so. And you can't really simply compare to a purchased certified unit, as we've seen in my tests so far two certified units that were way over the limit and one that was about half the legal limit. So, what's the standard?
TIB
I know it was a sore spot with some, but when Ralph Barlow from the Tampa FCC Office did an interview with WKID 96.7 in Clearwater, they actually measured and tweaked a Ramsey for compliance. This drew the ire of several Part 15 folks from around the web. I personally had no problem with it.
We can say from authority, based on Tim's tests, that the certification program is untrustworthy making certifying engineers and the FCC malfeasant in the performance of their respective duties.
Innocently and without a reasonable means of self-defence, the consumers of certified transmitters become responsible for compliance with 15.239, and if found in violation are in exactly the same straits whether their transmitter is certified or not.
Therefore matching the output of an uncertified Ramsey kit to a certified C.Crane FM2 using a spectrum analyzer, dBu reading on a TECSUN PL-310 or an S-meter will have the same result when the FCC comes calling.
I look forward to reports of Carl's adventure in construction and setup of his new transmitter. Will it work first time? Will confusion arise because the red color bands appear brown? Hope to hear the story. That's what I care about, not whether he is able to nail down his field strength. He is experienced and knows what he is doing and he won't get into trouble, so Carl, just have fun with it.
We have been over this topic of compliance so many times and I am not going to repeat it.
Neil
What a nice thing WKID was for kids to learn about Radio. A complete studio with mixers and a whole professional look. All tied into a Ramsey FM Transmitter. Carl I can't wait to see your experience with this transmitter. I'm sure it will sound great and maybe will attract some listeners too.
Thank you gentlemen. It will be fun all around building the 30B and it'll be stretched out a little to prolong the good time, since I have to order and wait for cone-shaped new solder iron tips.
It all started yesterday when the manual PDF arrived by e-mail and I started printing it out. Today I completed the printing and have been making observations from the manual.
Since the circuit is based around the FM25B, a long-standing Ramsey favorite, I have been comparing the schematics, and see many aspects common to both. But the big thing about the 30B is that all settings are controllable from a front panel, and to make this happen there are several chips not found in the 25B.
The Low Power Hour will be covering the project for Episode # 101 and pictures will be taken along the way to share here on the site.
FCC rule zealots can take comfort in the fact that Rule 15.15(c) will be applied to this transmitter once the testing period is over... "The parties responsible for equipment compliance are encouraged to employ the minimum field strength necessary for communications." Yes sir, it will be turned way below legal level for broadcast in a 10-foot area.
Now get some sleep.
Before I was on this forum several years ago I had the FM 25B and it was good except the GAL-5 kept blowing....Got about 10 extras from a seller on ebay and any time I was near it had to be so careful. A few times it just went for no reason...didn't give it a shock or anything...a few times took to the cottage and must have been static in the handbag 'cause it didn't work when I got there. Just said to hell with this and got rid of it. Ramsey has a fix now I believe...if you call and talk to tech support you can be told what to do.
As for Petra Cubonova...here's some pics: https://ca.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrSbjea_C9WbDkA2wDrFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE0ZnFpb210BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjAzMDlfMQRzZWMDcGl2cw--?p=petra+cubonova&fr=yfp-t-620-s&fr2=piv-web
Mark