The moment this transmitter was announced I placed my order, and am listening to it right now at 87.5 MHz, relaying KNX Los Angeles as a major tropical storm slowly makes its way in their direction.
The new feature that cinched the deal was C.Crane's expanding of the lower frequency range to include 87.5, 87.7, 87.9, and 88.1. Previous versions did not tune below 88.3.
The weakness of both this model and the FM2 is the addition of a limiter which prevents over-modulation but suppresses the maximum modulation level to much below full allowable modulation.
While I use FM3 for audio production and listening to internet movies we use FM1 for KDX-FM which can be set to full FCC allowed modulation using Stereotool to limit and compress for a perfect "like the licensed stations" loud signal.
All C.Crane FM transmitters are FCC certified.
At KDX we are thinking about replacing our present FM transmitters because of their shortcomings. We employ two FM frequencies in our day to day operation, the C.Crane FM1 for KDX-FM main channel for hearing our program stream within the building, and C.Crane FM3 for general use in production, editing, auditioning and entertainment from internet video sources using call letters KEGO-FM. We would prefer to operate in mono mode on FM for its advantages at low power, but the C.Crane units are fixed at stereo with no other choice. Add to that a new whistle that has developed in the FM1, no doubt due to age and failing parts, and the modulation level limitation of the FM3.
Fortunately KDX-FM can readily put into service our Ramsey FM35B set for mono and that should give us the best of all possible signals. KEGO-FM is another matter, as our EDM transmitter which would fill the bill is out of service from a lightning episode which fried the RF output transistor. Also available are the 4 Scosche Certified Transmitters in storage, but they are set for permanent stereo, although they can be fully modulated, unlike the FM3 with its overly limited audio.
These are the kind of issues that keep low power radio stations busy.
I know a lot of money but the Decade MS-100 mono version(comes in a mono and stereo version), is made to military standards and will last "forever" and uses regular through hole components, with a few IC's. Has static protection also to not blow the output. It will easily get full modulation and get you to sound louder than the other stations with processing. There are drawbacks to those built in limiters. But the Decade costs less than the Procaster.
I am also willing to sell a like new Broadcastvision and Decade CM-10 if you are interested.
But both are in stereo.
Taking a look at the mono Decade MS-100
Evidently Decade does not sell direct but has many dealers in several states in the U.S.
Only problem is it does not tune to 87.5 MHz (the C.Crane FM3 frequency), nor does my Ramsey FM35B.
@carl-blare The Decade only tunes to 88.1 to 107.5 as per BETS-1 regs.
The ranges(distance) for the MS-100 are minimum distances. You will get better than that and considerably better tuned for BETS-1. You know distance is dependent on the receiver.
I am very surprised that Decade doesn't ship directly to the USA, but you have to order from a dealer there. Hmmmm...but there's a few on Ebay now in good, like new condition.
Just needing a new batch to be manufactured. not discontinued. Call them and ask?
I have checked further into the situation and now report that the certified FM3 Transmitter will be back in stock in December of this year.
Click Here to Be Taken to the FM3 Page