Anyone know if theres a way to do the same kind of trick with the SSTRAN AMT3000 that you do with the Raamser AM-25 to boost output
power? (for educational purposes only of course)
To stay on the legal side of the line, when making modifications to FCC certified devices, ALWAYS ask for documented assistance from the manufacturer. Its a good way to cover your backside. Make sure you have a "hardcopy" document from SSTRAN, with instructions on how to make the modification. And make absolutely sure you follow them exactly, to the letter, and document everything you do.
Before going back on the air, you should also do some bench testing before broadcasting with the transmitter. You are required, as a school radio station, to do some over the air signal tests to determine that the signal doesn't extend too far beyond the boundaries of the school campus (Part 15 rules).
Check to make absolutely sure you are not interfering with any licensed broadcast stations or listeners. When you increase power, you increase the potential for interference. I go to the the FCC AM database and discover the clearest and best frequency for my station. Then, I listen for several evenings with a high quality shortwave-type receiver to see what kind of sky wave signals are present on the frequency of choice. At night, one watt can travel hundreds of miles via skywave.
After all this, you're ready to throw the switch and become radio stars.....
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
http://www.rhemaradio.org
HI,
Why would you want to do this? The SSTRAN is designed to operate at legal input power and according to my tests does so with many different loads and antennas.
I will tell you yes the power can be increased, but you will have to do the research and be responsible for the results.
EDITED ADDITION
I recall that you are on a college campus where power greater that 100 mW. is permitted. If you can measure the field strength at the permiter of your campus you can use more power. I can send you a private communication about boosting the power if you want.
END EDIT
Neil
Anyone know if theres a way to do the same kind of trick with the SSTRAN AMT3000 that you do with the Raamser AM-25 to boost output power? (for educational purposes only of course)
Not sure if you mean this will be used on an official campus, or has a "more private" educational application.
If it fits the sections of Part 15 where higher AM power can be used as long as field strength at the perimeter of a campus does not exceed 24,000/Frequency in kHz, then here is a set of numbers to consider.
The calculations below were made based on FCC data, assuming a standard 100 mW Part 15 AM tx with a very good, 3-meter radiator mounted at ground level.
Data:
Frequency = 1620 kHz
Applied Power = 80 milliwatts
Conductivity = 8.0 mS/m
Results:
Contour level ... Distance to contour
14.8 µV/m ... 10.69 miles
The 14.8 µV/m meter value above is the maximum permitted at the campus perimeter for that operating frequency. So unless the campus is very large, a Part 15 system operating under 15.219 would produce higher legal field strength on the campus, and at the campus perimeter.
Please let me clarify my request.....I am not looking to do anything illegal. And if I were to find a way to increase output power, I certinly would not do so at school where I could get the school in any trouble.
On weekends I mess around with this transmitter at home for my private use to mess around with. I'm not looking for "official" answers here. Just looking to see if anyone messed around with it to get more power out.
I got alot of good ideas. Problem is, most of em suck.
George Carlin (WINO)
am1650witt.fortunecity.com
ITT Pirate Radio, why don't you contact Phil, the owner of SSTRAN. E Mail address on his website at SSTRAN.com. One of the fellows in this thread mentioned FCC certified. The SSTRAN is not FCC certified, and you'd have to understand that you take full responsibility for anything that exceeds Part15 that Phil might tell you. By the way, the Ramsey AM25 was designed for up to 1 watt output, the SSTRAN wasn't. There are other ways to go for increased power if you want to spend some money. Jim B
Sorry yall, I guess this is just the wrong place to be asking this question
I got alot of good ideas. Problem is, most of em suck.
George Carlin (WINO)
ITT Pirate Radio, if you want to talk about stretching the envelope, that is, experimenting beyond 100 mw, you're welcome to E Mail me. I don't discuss it here lest I be shot down. Jim B [email protected]
Sorry folks, this thread hits me as wrong. I love this site and the information it contains. However I disagree that there is anything wrong with having information about modifications to transmitters. In fact I purposely did not buy a particular brand of part 15 transmitter because of this. On their website it stated that it could be modified for 1 watt upon FCC approval of the higher power level. An inquiry about this modification got the response that instructions for the modification would not be provided until the FCC authorized higher power for part 15. The implication is that just asking about such immediately classifies a person as a violator of FCC rules. In other words you are presumed guilty.
Too many times I have purchased electronics and kits with promises of future upgrades or modifications that never materialize before the company goes under. Then I've been stuck with a pile of outdated equipment and no additional documentation.
I don't see why having information about modifications to a transmitter should be dealt with as something to be ashamed of. When I was shopping for a transmitter I was looking for a good reliable, quality product. In other words I was going to put my trust in the manufacturer. Isn't it odd that many won't put any trust in their customers? How do I know that there really are any legitimate modifications if it has to remain a secret? If I do invest in their transmitter how do I know they will be there if and when a higher power level is authorized?
It's really sad to see that rather sharing information and encouraging more research and experimenting we have ended up with a country of people ready to squash not only innovation, but discussion of such.
Sad to say that this phenomenon of restricting public access to technical information, especially in the communications field, has been an ongoing trend since the Reagan Administration (and maybe longer) when previously public ITU communication frequencies were 'classified' and removed from public access. Since then there are dozens of examples where radio and telecommunication modes of transmission have been deemed 'against the law' and hence even the "information and data" ABOUT the modes have become scarce or non-existent. Some websites that used to contain schematics and other information about simple data slicers, for instance, no longer exist. I'm afraid we're just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg with respect to the limitation of public access to all kinds of technical information, and not just that related to radio and/or other communication media.
Gentlemen,
I guess my edited post prompted this response.
If one wants to pursue changing the power of a part 15 transmitter, the information is available on the web, complete with schematics. My offer about a private communication regarding this was primarily to avoid cluttering this site with back and forth questions. If you want to see the "secret" information do a google search on "Wenzel AM transmitter" and read about how to set the power of his transmitter. That is what I was going to offer the original poster. Perhaps I should have just posted it so no one would feel left out.
That's all I know about the topic, so please don't ask me for specific information.
I have not experimented with this and I don't know if it will work.
Neil
Yeah, that's a statement I know all too well, after having been accused of being an idiot and causing others to do this illegaly, here I am again!
The reason why I won't post anymore to this board and the Radio-Info board is just that, anyone with visions, thinking outside the box, innovators etc., are shot down!
I had so much to offer and to help those needing help but being accused of causing others to do things illegal is not something to dismiss... I have my AM and it's within the Part15 rules... if it's 125mw... who cares? If the antenna is 3-1/4 meter long who cares? If the ground wire is 10 feet long.... what FCC agent is going to close you down because the transmitter is 10 feet high in the air supported by a metal pipe or PVC tube? I've got to say that some of the naysayers are anal-retentive and the gestapo attitude needs to stop for the sake of innovators and those wishing to pursue the FCC to change it's Part15 rules for the better.
Kids like the ITTPirateRadio only requested simple info and being students of an electronics school... these kids thrive on getting the most of new knowledge as most of us have... now the people who have the most to give shoot these kids down.... shame!
I know there are those that want to run their Part15 by the book, others want to see the 'what if' and push the envelope a little further, otherwise 'LPFM' would not have materialized, then there are the blatant 10, 20, 100 watt pirates... even these have the right to broadcast and the FCC believes it has the right to stop them... BUT that is where it ends... it's not MY right to stop anyone... Everyone needs to believe that they have their own free will to do what they want.