dcramer16 posted: He meant it was true that.Keith told me he would help me when the time came to set it up
You might want to ask the FCC about the legality of operating several unlicensed, co-located, synchronous (co-ordinated) AM transmit systems -- if you wish to be compliant with Part 15.
Setup help from any manufacturer or distributor of such transmitters won't be of much value if the FCC doesn't accept that installation configuration.
Note that it won't be the hardware manufacturer or distributor that receives an FCC citation if that configuration is non compliant, but the operator of that configuration.
By your own pen, Rich(F), the kind of science being discussed in this thread is not broadcast science.
It is forensic science, in which you have openly declared that reputable part 15 transmitter manufacturers, their advice, and their published websites, are not to be trusted.
You have yet to prove your claim.
You come here to nip at the heels of people who simply want to practice this hobby without pessimistic barking.
You might want to ask the FCC about the legality of operating several unlicensed, co-located, synchronous (co-ordinated) AM transmit systems -- if you wish to be compliant with Part 15.
Better still, you might want to asked the FCC why the certified a syncronization capable transmitter if it was not legal to operate it in that fashion.
Here is the statement I made in post #56, "My reference to long ground conductors was made to show that not everything supported/suggested by manufacturers in their e-mails and on their websites always is agreeable with the FCC."
Then Carl Blare wrote (about me), "...you have openly declared that reputable part 15 transmitter manufacturers, their advice, and their published websites, are not to be trusted. You have yet to prove your claim."
Without putting too fine a point on it, a manufacturer's web page still on line as of 30 minutes ago shows a Part 15 AM transmitter and ~3m whip installed on top of a large building. The text description on that page advises users to install a ground wire from that transmitter to a ground rod in the ground.
Does that not prove the point that not everything supported/suggested by manufacturers always is agreeable with the FCC?
NOTE: This is not about long ground wires. It is about a statement on that web page in apparent conflict with FCC rules applying to Part 15 AM.
Mr. Rich(F) wrote:
"NOTE: This is not about long ground wires. It is about a statement on that web page in apparent conflict with FCC rules applying to Part 15 AM."
That statement contradicts itself. The alleged webpage (no link provided) specifically mentions a long wire connecting a transmitter to a ground rod. It IS about long ground wires.
Despite the non-attorney's opinion as an FCC referee, the purpose for the wire to ground is safety from lightning strikes as required by the electrical code.
Also to be considered is that the transmitter may be used in countries where the FCC has no jurisdiction. I did look at three sites with certified transmitters All three cited the rules about combined length.
Why do we have this non-part 15 person issuing claims of wrongdoing against a prominent transmitter manufacturer?
Last month the AMT5000 had its shlash and trash by several bloggers across a number of forums, now we have a steady shadow being cast upon the integrity of the Rangemaster 1000.
There aren't many other transmitters left, so will it come their turn to be disreputed?
We're being misled with all this ground lead talk.
There's always a reason for a person to belittle a product he himself never uses.
We need to find out why this is being done and why it's been happening for years, always with the same tactic.
I bought my studio PC today. It's a Dell, even though I swore I'd never buy a Dell again. I got a Dell because I had pre-approved Dell financing so I ordered it so I could get started on getting it ready. It was only $1800, so I'll have it paid off by June. It's got a 2TB hard drive, the Intel i7 processor, 16GB Ram, 3.2Ghtz, and Creative Sound Blaster Sound Card. I'll order a second sound card later. When it comes I'll get Zara Studio installed on it, upload all my music to it, and get it formated to work with Zara. I can also work on buying Jingles/Sweepers/ID's and get them loaded up, as well as download some other content from the web. I have all summer to work on Step 1.
Step 1. Computer / Software / Website
Step 2. Tear down the old shed behind my house this fall
Step 3. In the spring, get new building built where the old shed was
Step 4. Buy and install the equipment
Carl Blare wrote: ... There's always a reason for a person to belittle a product he himself never uses. ...
Apparently Mr Blare has rejected the reason for my comments as being related to physical and literal truth, while implying some nefarious reason to me for posting such comment.
As for Mr Blare's suggestion that the use of a specific product is necessary to qualify one to post accurate remarks about that product and its public documentation, perhaps he could expand on this with his results based on the use of his own AM1000(s) that he believes might disprove my earlier posts in this thread.
Ok, I'm back. Been getting work on on setting things up. So here's the latest update:
I will be using Jazler as my automation software. A bit pricy at over $1000 but does everything I want it to and I'm happy with it.
For my traffic software I will use Natural Log 8. Again a little pricy at $1200, but I've used it in the past, am familiar with it, and it will do what I want as far as keeping track of clients, scheduling spots and sending out invoices.
Right now I am loading my entire music catalog onto Jazler, a process I'm guessing will take me at least 4-6 months. I have well over 15,000 songs and will be updating my library to include all the current stuff.
I also have submitted license requests with BMI & ASCAP so I can be compliant there. Still not sure what the yearly fee will end up being, but I'm guessing under $1000 each.
Quick question guys....would it be possible to broadcast on the 3 linked Rangemasters as well as a Carrier Current System like the TR-6000 Transmitter. Perhaps if I am able to do both it would improve range and sound quality? Just not sure if that's possible or legal.
I have also decided to simulcast my station as an internet radio station also. That's the main reason I've applied for the BMI and ASCAP licenses.
That's about the latest updates I have.
Wow, this thread grew and went a little wacko since I looked at it last. In reference to long ground leads, synchronized multiple transmitters, etc. I think it comes down to one thing. The mood, frame of mind, and beliefs of any FCC inspector who may happen to inspect. Much like the IRS interpretation is about 80% of the law near as I can tell. No two IRS auditors will reach the same answer on the same identical tax filings, and no two FCC inspectors will come up with the same answer in reference to many potential violations. And I see this regularly in the annals of FCC inspections in broadcast radio, and I'm sure in Part 15 radio as well. The key is to do the best you can and be able to show that you were, in good faith, trying to follow the rules.
Tim in Bovey
Delighted that you have made these decisive steps ahead in building your station, dcramer16.
And I like your question: "...would it be possible to broadcast on the 3 linked Rangemasters as well as a Carrier Current System like the TR-6000 Transmitter?"
Opinions on the subject will be interesting, and I have mine, but you are in a position to also ask Keith Hamilton his point-of-view and then talk to Radio Systems to see what they say.
Oh, and certainly if you talk to them, let us know what they say.
I still have a lot of hurtles to overcome. But the biggest one, and I think we can all agree on this one, is range and sound quality. Keith has told me several times he can get me 2.25miles. I'm still nervous about this one. If I can't get 2.25miles that you can reach in a car or house clearly, this project won't work, period. It will be too hard to sell advertising if I tell businesses I can only reach half our itty bitty tiny town, and only if they are in a car with a great sound system and even then I'll fade in and out! And I won't know if this project will work until I'm about $10,000 into it!!
Suggestion:
You might want to ask the manufacturers/distributors of Part 15 AM transmitters (FCC-certified or not) if they will accept a full credit return of that transmitter if its FCC-compliant installation does not produce the "range" they have stated -- and to get that statement in a form that would be acceptable in a court process if that should become necessary.
If they don't/won't and FCC compliance is important to the buyer, maybe that should steer the decision made with respect to the purchase of such transmitters.