For whom it may interest. Seller has "more than 10" available.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/156223791992
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For whom it may interest. Seller has "more than 10" available.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/156223791992
A couple things I find interesting; one is that the auction indicates he has at least 50 of those Decade transmitters for sale (which makes me curious what these had been used for), and also notice the Decade's AC adapters convert to 16v AC (not DC, which I find surprising, and wonder why as it seems odd to me). Also note that his other auctions include a few Barix boxes (for under $50) and what appear to be brand new DI boxes, various audio processors, fanless computers, cabling, projectors, intercoms, portable transceivers.... I get the impression it all came from some kind of large stadium or arena setting - which brings me back to wondering why and how so many (over 50) FM Decade transmitters would have been used in such settings... Wireless microphones somehow? or what?
I thought that too, how come he/or they have so many? Something to be considered.
That's maybe more than Decade sells new in 2 years! Where did you see over 50 available?
Also the one pictured so you can see the physical condition isn't the one you'd get and I don't like that as I should see what I am actually going to receive. Also are all of them the plastic case models pictured or are some the metal ones? But he does say returns and money back except cost of sending back. Have they actually tested them all to see if all are working? A lot of the time these sellers buy items like this and go by what they are told.
As for the power supply the Decade MS-100 runs on 16 volts AC not DC. It will not work with a DC adaptor, why, similar to the Schlockwood as it's design needs 2 "rails" or grounds for another word for plus and negative grounds. Always been like that. I don't like it as I like things that work on a common easy to get DC like 12 volts. So you can't run the Decade with a battery or DC from power station. I have several 16 volt AC power supplies.
At this price I'd consider but wary of the same things you are. Sometimes a bargain is not really.
I thought that too, how come he/or they have so many? Something to be considered.
That's maybe more than Decade sells new in 2 years! Where did you see over 50 available?
The drop-down box where you select how many you want, it goes up to 50. It's not supposed to display an exceeded number of how many are still available and from what I can tell it's usually accurate, and usually on eBay if it says 50 it means they actually have more than that in stock. If it says ie: only 22 or 17 then that's how many is left
As for the power supply the Decade MS-100 runs on 16 volts AC not DC. It will not work with a DC adaptor, why, similar to the Schlockwood as it's design needs 2 "rails" or grounds for another word for plus and negative grounds. Always been like that. I don't like it as I like things that work on a common easy to get DC like 12 volts. So you can't run the Decade with a battery or DC from power station. I have several 16 volt AC power supplies.
At this price I'd consider but wary of the same things you are. Sometimes a bargain is not really.
Yeah, that's what I said; it struck me odd that it was 16vac, and it did make me reflect on what Jim said about the Schlockwood's peculiar (peculiar to me anyway) ac power requirements, he said in his case it had became a parts availability issue (as some of his other devices were originally designed specifically for DC power), but with the processor he had to design it with that floating ground thing (which is the only reason I went with the Cuthbert instead). I've just never noticed ever having a wall wart with an AC output before! Guess I just presumed all walwarts were all AC to DC converters. Shows my ignorance.
Oh yeah.. myself, I wouldn't be particularly weary about buying one of his units, I just don't particularly have use for one. If I did want and/or have use for a nice certified FM transmitter then I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those he has for sale, it seems like a bargain to me
Just thinking.. Radio Sausalito's part 15 radio "network" has been in constant operation for as long as this forum has. It's all AM Rangemaster's now, but for the first couple years it had been a network of part 15 FM transmitters - don't know how many exactly or what kind, I'll have to ask him when and if I contact him again - but the station was touted as the "largest network of transmitters" in the world (something like that), so it was definitely groups of multiples. Anyway this could be a great opportunity for anyone who wanted to cover large areas with part 15 FM installs. But then there's still the headache of feeding the source audio to them all...
Not to be a party pooper, but I've always questioned the legality of running multiple transmitters in the U.S.
As far as I'm aware, the total coverage of multiple transmitters cannot exceed that of one (i.e., they're treated as a single entity if they all broadcast on the same frequency).
Now, you can run multiple transmitters if they're spaced far enough apart so that they don't overlap (creating some dead space). You can also have as many transmitters, all running on different frequencies.
The Radio Sausalito site calls each transmitter a repeater.
I'm confused.
In response to Rich....the AC supply means the actual power supply is on board and of quality as the designer wanted it to be. You are not subject to having issues like humming and noise from lousy DC wall supplies. The wall plug is just the transformer. Problem is then it ( the Decade) can't be run from a DC source and the AC to AC adaptors are hard to get. I have several of them as mentioned so no worries.
@ Artisan....Multiple transmitters simulcasting the same thing is exactly that, a repeater.
I, having read the FCC rules have never seen in writing about using multiple transmitters to cover more ground. I think this is assumed to be true because it is not expressly prohibited.
Which can be assumed to be legal.
I will consider one of those Decade's as they are the older ones not in a 5 lb heavy steel case and a good price. I messaged the seller and was replied that I can order and specify that the one I get since it won't be pictured has to be not damaged cosmetically and the back panel where the antenna is is not cracked, and the antenna not broken, and functioning properly. The bottom label has to be not scraped or torn etc and I have to get the plastic case ones as pictured. The warehouse will then pick a good one for you.
I just go by also that ebay sellers don't want bad feedback and most are legit and honest about the items. 99.6% good feedback over 2000 things is a good reputation and unlike Ali Express Ebay can be contacted and they have their own satisfaction guarantee.
@artisan-radio It is I suppose as convoluted as any part 15 rules, but there's clearly no rules against it, the FCC specifically says there's no rules against it, plus there's numerous case histories of it's use. Perhaps the most notable by California Highway department in the 1970s spanning miles of sections of the San Diego Freeway. Those were the first sincronized part 15 AM installations ever, it involved about 30 transmitters and it took three years to put into official operation and the FCC was in regular contact with them through the entire process. There's been numerous others such examples with the National Park Service through the decades.
I just ordered one of these with my requirements for it's condition with the order as I cannot see pictured the actual unit I get. Well we shall see.
@mark I suspect the unit you receive will be just fine and you end up with a good deal.
I'm still real curious what these had been used for considering so many were in the surplus lot he bought from wherever. I know stadiums and race tracks and the like have utilized part 15FM for people in the stands in the past, so I wonder if that's what these were. That's my wild guess as a city or county stadium would not likely purchase Chinese knockoffs, they would buy only units certified as legal. I thought about contacting the seller and asking but it's unlikely he would know as he probably purchased them at a government surplus auction, but I bet there's some kind of major football or baseball or racetrack or some kind of huge public stadium in his area.
If I'm right then the transmitter you're getting has only been used for a few hours during such events and not something that has been used 24/7 for years. Thus, basically still in relatively new condition.