Ccrane fm transmitter

From a C.Crane User

I've been using both a C.Crane FM1 and FM2, the first and second versions of the small transmitter and have these facts to share:

Yes, it is certified by the FCC as being a Part 15 compliant device so long as its little whip antenna is used;

Its range is feeble. According to a professional field strength test done by Tim in Bovey, one of our members, the field readings of the unit he purchased was set below the actual limit stated in FCC Rule 15.239;

I use mine for very nearby reception and the performance is professional with excellent audio quality.

Here is a review for you:

C.Crane FM 2 Review

Limitations:

The stereo generator cannot be turned off, as some would prefer transmitting a strictly mono signal;

There is no available RF ground point accessible for someone wanting to try a dipole antenna.

Tim's FM Transmitter Tests

Just to clarify on the link Carl provided to the test Tim made (Thanks for posting Carl, never saw these test before - and thank to Tim for doing it).. The CCrane  test is on page 9 of the linked document. A quick answer to Rocknoldies question is answered in this quote:

"..The C.Crane website, other sellers websites, and the included manual state that the coverage for this transmitter is "between 30 and 75 feet, line of sight with no obstructions".  Well, this is exactly right.  As delivered, in " out of the box" stock condition..."

@rocknoldies:

This is also about the best any legal part 15 FM transmitter can do. If you want to achieve any legal range with part 15 then you have to go with broadcasting on AM.

Another C.Crane Secret Your Mother Doesn't Know

This information is provided for knowledge only

Hidden Power Adjustment

This forum site encourages following the rules at all times, including looking both ways before crossing the street, removing your hat at the dinner table, and obeying leash laws.

I have a CCrane but very seldom use it.. If I recall correctly the guy I bought it from had mentioned he had done the power adjust mod to mine. I've never actually tried finding out what kind of range it possesses. To be honest, I kind of forgot I had it at all! When I get around to digging it out of whatever box it's packed in, I'll report.

How I Use My Two C.Crane FM Transmitters

At KDX Worldround Radio we run two computers. The Audio Output Jacks of each computer connect to a C. Crane FM Transmitter which act in place of audio cables to send wireless audio to household radios.

In both cases the audio is NOT what is currently being broadcast/streamed on KDX. The C.Cranes listen to OFF AIR monitoring.

Example 1: Computer 1 is running the Zara Playlist which streams/transmits over OTHER transmitters. Zara offers a Cue Channel to hear a program on the playlist that is not currently on the air which feeds over C.Crane FM1.

Example 2: Computer 2 is used for browsing and recording (Audacity), and the EDITING/AUDITIONING of audio is heard on C.Crane FM2.

The actual programming being sent on KDX is broadcast on S.S.Tran AMT5000 and Wholehouse 2.0 FM Transmitters.

Rich Powers said:

This is also about the best any legal part 15 FM transmitter can do. If you want to achieve any legal range with part 15 then you have to go with broadcasting on AM.

Note that out of the box the Ccrane is at half the field strength(even less) that's allowed in the USA so 35 to 75 feet is not the max you can get legally.

I suppose that's true. The reel gist of what I was saying was to forget FM if he wants any range.

Of note; what FCC ex chief engineer John Reed who actually specialized in part 15 had said about part 15 FM range:

".... On the practical side, however, you're lucky to even get 30 feet in the FM band. I did see one experiment achieve 400 feet of range when operated in a remote area with a low background noise level and no other FM stations any where near the selected frequency, using a very sensitive FM receiver with a good antenna, and transmitting in a mono mode with 75 kHz of deviation applied to the modulation..."

Important Point

It isn't the transmitter, it's the receiver.

I mean, like Rich Powers has indicated through the quote just posted, a sensitive radio makes the transmitter go farther! Make sense?

My c. crane transmitters are gone once I step outdoors with most radios, but with a TECSUN PL-310 I can listen all the way out to the car to get the groceries with no drop-outs.

And shutting off the stereo would improve it even more, but the c.crane doesn't allow doing that.

I think if I remember from a site that I can't now remember where, you may be able to have it work in mono by removing the crystal(silver component with a frequency engraved on the side). MAY be able to but not sure. I have the Decade that I use here in Canada and it's mono switchable and that is where it stays all the time. The EDM has a add on chip called a mono conversion chip for their transmitters(I remember you have an EDM)

I will try to find out exactly how to mod it to work in mono and post if I can find.