Which AM transmitter should I buy?

Already built AM transmitters usually include the Rangemaster 1000 or the Procaster, but of the ones you listed, if you can get an AMT3000 already built, you will be happy for life.

The Ramsey AM25 is a kit.

Perhaps others will comment on the other units on your list.

Oh, and welcome hear to the happy world of low power radio.

Well It Really Depends what you want.

The Ramsey is a kit, and typically isn't that good.

The Spitfire is essentially a copy of the SSTran, and is also a kit.

The SSTran is a kit that has on-board processing, its a good transmitter and its only $95

The Talking House is certified and already built.

It runs for $99, but is widely available on Ebay for much less. It doesn't feature on board processing, so you will have to use your own.
I just bought one, but haven't got it in the mail yet, so I cannot tell you how it performs. I hear it does quite well.

With an AM transmitter you want to have your antenna out in the open (building materials tend to absorb the signal) and as high as possible. You will be using a wire antenna, so you will want to get it up as high as possible, and preferably out a window or on a balcony.

Unfortunately, it's that one restriction that will most limit your range, and it's probably almost immaterial which transmitter you choose. The SSTran and the Talking House are both good transmitters; the Spitfire is as well, and you can purchase it assembled from the U.K. for around the same price as the SSTran (maybe even a bit cheaper).

If it's at all possible, it would be preferable to use either a Rangemaster or a Procaster and deal with the rigid 8 foot antenna in some manner - I can't tell from your post whether it's impossible to mount something outside or just preferable not to do so. Both the Rangemaster and the Procaster use antennas mounted to the transmitter box, so if you can find a way to mount that box to the side of your house (or balcony), they will perform much better than anything with a wire antenna.

The SSTran to get decent range needs an external, base loaded antenna. Same with the Talking House. If you have a spare $300 lying around, you can also want to consider getting the external ATU for the Talking House, to which you attach an 8 foot whip - you keep the Talking House transmitter unit in your house, and run coax to the ATU which can be mounted on a balcony rail or the side of your house.

Hope that's clearer than mud.

Thanks for the comments guys!

I sadly can't put an outside antenna up at all. It'll be around the window as much as possible.

The Rangemaster is out of my price range so I'm looking at the SSTRAN built by Low Power Radio, Talking House or the Spitfire.

I'm intregued by the Spitfire. Anyone on here used it? I've read that the Talking House delivers really good range because of its Antenna Tuning System, but the Spitire also has one.

The good new is that transmitters are much easier to store 🙂

You can't beat a Talking House unit for quick and easy set up - that's what it was designed for. Doesn't require an outdoor ground or special antenna, easy to change frequencies.

The audio will not thrill you, the range will not blow you away but you will be on the air twenty minutes after it arrives. In my opinion, that's what's important for a first unit.

You can tinker with your audio input, work on your program content and get your web site or blog set up while you are on the air.

You will immediately be looking for a better transmitter, but you'll be doing that anyway no matter what you buy, so you might as well be looking for a new transmitter while you're already on the air.

Hello simonjersey

Awhile back I put a post on this website about a window antenna I built and I am still using that antenna. It's not too complicated, and can be used with or without a loading coil, so it's good for future experimentation. If you have metal framed windows it's very easy, but you could also do the same thing with wire.

My sstran3000 is located on a small laminated board on the floor underneath the corner of a desk located right by a front porch window.

A 2.5-foot antenna wire runs straight up to the bottom of the window well, slips underneath the closed window, and is electrically connected to the center at the bottom of the metal window frame, making the entire 6-foot height of the frame part of the antenna, and of course it radiates both indoors and outdoors.

Out on the porch up at the top of the metal frame there were already four screws as part of the window design, so I attached a 2-foot wire to each one and ran them straight up to the underside of the porch ceiling, where cracks between boards allowed adding small "wedges" made from thick twist ties to hold the four antenna wires in place. I view this four element top section as kind of a modified "cage monopole antenna."

This antenna is a form of "pressure-zone" design, comparing it to the PZM (pressure zone microphone) design, since it's "in phase" with the flat wall surface.

The range is very strong in all directions and rolls off as one goes uphill, and being in a "bowl" all directions are uphill from here.

I have never found an antenna that radiates uphill.

I took the plunge and bought a Talking House V5 transmitter because of its easy setup and apparent range.

I'm still interested in the SSTRAN but the reviews don't suggest as much range.

I'll post my findings on here!

Thanks guys!

"The Spitfire is essentially a copy of the SSTran, and is also a kit.:

I have one, and I can tell you it is definitely not a kit, and definitely not a copy of an SSTRAN 3000. IMO, the specs on the SSTRAN are superior, especially with modulation. I.e., since we're talking about AM, maximum modulation before distortion is what makes the signal stand out.

The Spitfire isn't a bad unit, great for experimentation, but it just won't range out like I'd hoped, and the sound is a bit thin. It has no controls.

If I was stuck in a condo; I would go with a Ramsey FM30b; and find someone to built it or shop on e-bay for one looking for a new home. The FM antenna would be easy to hide under eves or wood vertical post.

Don't forget: you can lay a Procaster down in attic or hang it from the ceiling in a pinch and still a 1/2 mile.

Steve
www.radiooutlaw.com

Hello,

I've now got my Talking House V5 and can see what people mean about the audio! Also, I'm not getting much range at all with it.

200 feet at best really, and if I set it at 540 am it barely leaves the room. Am I doing something wrong? I'm using the wire.

Simon

How is your antenna positioned?

Try moving to another Location,
remember part 15 works better in the higher frequencies. 1600-1700 are the best.