The problem with my FM transmitter is a shorted out USB cord. If you wiggle the cord, you're back on the air for about 30 seconds and then it shuts back off. Also, it's got a propreitary (I can't spell) type of USB connector. It'll be next to impossible to get a replacement cable. That's one of the pitfalls of an FM transmitter I bought at Big Lots.
"That's one of the pitfalls of an FM transmitter I bought at Big Lots."
TISk TISk...should have bought a second, even a third if price was right, and usually is on stuff from BL.
Might be the time to get a more practical TX, one with common parts and connectors etc. Plenty of them out there, even some certified.
RFB
...but one of those is as expensive as an iAM on ebay. I've heard its possible to upgrade a ccrane to get more range. Of course, such a modification would violate FCC rules.
If I could just get $100, I could get an iAM with wire antenna off ebay.
My budget is now less than $20.
Well if it's range you want for FM, C-Crane is not the way to go. That thing can barely get a signal beyond 1 or 2 rooms inside a house without cranking on that output pot. Even adjusting that it doesn't bode well.
Get you a Ramsey FM 25 B or FM 100 B (kits) and use the included whip antenna and set up on a bookshelf or in the attic or in a weatherproof box outside and reach a couple of blocks or so.
Save up and get you something decent, workable and serviceable and something that won't leave you in the dark..well the station in the dark anyway.
RFB
Just catching up on this thread. Our little campus station suffered a double-whammy, one of which parallels your experience. Clear Channel is also involved here. In a nearby town, they mounted a translator repeating an HD3 signal that blasted our peanut-whistle of an FM off the map. Just what Clear Channel needed--a SIXTH FM in our market!
I finally settled on the frequency of a 10KW about 60 miles away (can't hear 'em here) that also shows an application for one of those @#$% Radio Assist Ministry/Edgewater Broadcasting translators about 50 miles the other direction. The way I see it, neither is likely to interfere with us or vice versa. So far, so good on our shift from 96.3 to 98.9 MHz.
Our 1610 AM is now near-useless because of adjacent channel splatter from a 1600 station 50 miles away! Seems they got permission to up their power, and in the process cranked the stuffings out of their modulation. Sad part is virtually all of the other "extended band" channels are occupied locally. Looks like we'll have to move up 10 kHz and hope that any interference from a Pensacola, FL station on 1620 will be much more palatable.
I was boiling mad, too, so I sympathize and empathize with your situation. I like the idea of your saving your pennies and watching the sales at Big Lots and the like and eBay. Hang in!
This thread got me to check in with Radio-locator.com to spot the translator activity around here, and I see four of them have been wedged in, at 90.1, 91.9, 101.5 and 103.7
Luckily none of those hurts my two channels, which are populated by mid-power stations just out of reach off in other parts of this state or the state next door.
My FMs are used for indoor utility work anyhow, there's no outside coverage area to worry about.
I notice the C.Crane is re-transmitting a buzzing sound from my new cordless phone, located 1-foot away from each other.
To RadioBob: It's a horrible feeling to be knocked off a frequency by a translator. I bet it feels even worse to get knocked off 2 frequencies at one time. The only interference on the extended band here happens after dark. One such example is CHHA 1610 AM, 10kW, Toronto, ON. They have a strong signal that probably knocks out every TIS station on 1610 AM on the east coast after dark. The only thing keeping me going with my 1610 AM plans is the fact that all my radio accounts online have 1610 in them. Also, my logo says 1610. Sure, things could be changed. But, I think I can stand being a daytime only station. It'll save on electric costs.
To Carl: In the Cincinnati area, there are translators on 91.3 FM (religious station KAWZ),96.9 FM (WKFS), 100.7 FM (WKFS-HD2), 102.3 FM (Religious station WNLT), and of course 106.3 FM (WKFS-HD2 AGAIN).
I think the FM band needs to be expanded to allow room for new stations. Here in Cincinnati, the band is way too crowded. Any open channels have bleed over from stations in both Cincinnati and Dayton (and occasionally strong skip from Lexington, KY).
Not at all sure if this is still a possibility, but there was some talk about the idea of opening up some of the old TV analog channels for FM expansion, down below the current FM band.
Probably only TV channels 5 and 6 would be available for this, as there is a chunk between channels 4 and 5 that belongs to 2-way type communications.
One goofy idea talked about was to migrate the whole AM band up to this new FM space, which I guess would turn the AM band into a vacant lot.
Maybe someone has heard the status of all that expansion talk.
...I'd love to see the current AM band turn into a low power unlicensed band. Maximum power of 20 watts and a maximum antenna height of 70 feet. Could you imagine how far a 70 foot antenna with 20 watts would go??? I'd be reaching Cincinnati (I live 25-30 miles from Cincinnati)!!!!!!! Even if the FCC decided to license it (which would probably happen, hate to say it), it should be only for INDIVIDUALS. None of this community group crap. The LPFM class is a disaster. The individuals need a voice, and that voice could be LPAM.
A couple of years ago, I really
thought there was a possibility
that the FM BCB band would expand
downward at some distance into the
TV channel 5 and 6 region. Maybe not
too far down, but I thought something
would happen. I really doubt it now.
Things have seemed to go in a different
direction.
Then there is the issue of 87.9 MHz.
I think there are 2 licensed stations
in the U.S. there. I think one belongs
to a high school in California, and the
other is a translator. I would love to
see 87.9 MHz be legal for Part 15, too,
but it's not going to happen.
ChannelX1610, I really wish I could do
something to help you out. Unfortunately,
I am in pretty much the same position that
you are in.
But, I'm sure better days are ahead!
Bruce, DRS2
I have a friend whose might bid on a talking house for my birthday (the 30th of this month). He saw one with zero bids on ebay. Starting bid 99 cents plus 15 bucks shipping. I pray he bids on it and wins. It even comes with the mike, which would be nice to have.
I'll keep everybody updated. He might not even bid on it due to bad finances. He's in worse financial shape than I am.
Did everyone forget about the auctioning of that part of the spectrum BEFORE the DTV transition took place?
I believe a bunch of telco carriers gobbled up most of that.
The band won't be expanded until they sell off as much of the current band and cram it even more, then maybe when the too big to fail licensed to violate offenders start belly aching they get their way.
Change is not going to happen until a change is made at the top. Guess who's responsibility it is for that?
The person in the mirror...go see!
RFB
Oh, I looked in the mirror this
morning already. I must be getting
old because it looked like I had
"Super Glue" stuck to my face. 🙂
As you know, I'm an "over the air"
TV watcher.
Right now, I think the UHF TV allocation
runs from channels 14 to 51. However, I
had heard talk that eventually, every channel
from 51 down to 32 would be taken away.
I also heard that at some point (much sooner)
channels 46 through 51 would be taken.
Do you know anything about this? I have talked
to a few local TV engineers, and they don't
seem to know.
I really like watching "free TV." Perhaps it's
days are numbered. But, then again, I could
get hit by a bus tomorrow and that would probably
be a more important issue, at least to some
small segment of the population.
Best Wishes,
Bruce, DRS2
Unfortunately, my friend was unable to bid on the 99 cent TH transmitter. There were 4 or 5 bids that drove the price up to $15 plus $15 for shipping, which was out of both of our price ranges.
I still check ebay daily on the search for dirt cheap TH auctions. Hopefully something comes up soon.
"Do you know anything about this? I have talked
to a few local TV engineers, and they don't seem to know."
Surprised? I'm not.
Anyone remember when the industry started to treat the EM spectrum like a piece of land?
Frequencies in use right now, in many different services, may already have been bought up some time ago and could be approaching the end of their current states and switch to something else.
And what and who would have the ability to re-allocate spectrum for different purposes even if it means removing or relocating or eliminating current spectrum uses?
I don't think the concept of delivery of entertainment by "traditional" sense of broadcasting or "free OTA tv and radio" will cease, not as long as there is an audience wanting and choosing that form of delivery for their entertainment, or at least including it.
RFB