Low Frequency Sstrans

I don't know why the listings say the frequency it is set at, as it's frequency settable to what ever you want. Don't know the importance of that.

But personally I wish the lower frequencies worked as good as the 1600-1700 range does as I would prefer to go lower on the band also. Especially when all radios made before 1992 I think it was when they expanded the band, went only to 1600 but many top out more than that.
Also being more central in the band may get you found more easily. It seems more ideal to be in the middle rather than at the extreme end.

It may be that most of the previous owners were antique radio enthusiast. Generally they're not concerned about range, only that their old radio plays whatever it is they want it to play. The Sstran can't achieve much range anyway unless you construct an elaborate antenna for it. I think the low frequency setting shows the popularity of the transmitter is mostly antique radio collectors.

The prices they sold for though, all of them $300-$400 each, my first thought was shill bidding or similar going on. Back when I was still in my 16mm hobby I did a lot of buying and selling on eBay and it was a lot easier to see exactly what might be going on with some sellers, now not so much, but back then you could communicate with other buyers and sellers as easily as chat, you could see bidders and sellers names, where they're located, communicate with any eBay member at all... It was much different from now.

Anyway I find it interesting how many under 1600kHz broadcasters there be. Retro Radio in Montana broadcast 1400khz with a Procaster stop about a 20' tower on top the two story roof and brags 3 mile (6 radius) range. He chose 1400 for the sake of his antique radio shop. I told him for the record that wasn't quite legal but if no complaints then no foul.

I'll be interested to see what the current auction Sstran sells for.

And by the way, and this is probably just me but I find it peculiar that the one that sold for $355 in August from a totally different seller applied the same size/style sticker and with the same font as the one currently on eBay.. 

Probably just coincidence.

I always understood it to be that the signal traveled better on the upper end of the dial, starting at around 1300 kHz. I chose 1610 because no US stations used it, besides, the dial is crowded much on both ends where I am in Missouri.

The low end set transmitters seems fishy.

@centinel That's correct, the higher the frequency you broadcast on with Part 15 AM corresponds with the farther your range. But antique radio collectors aren't usually concerned about range, that's why I presume the previous owners of all those SStrans currently set for low frequency were antique collectors.

But I the prices they went for seems way to much to me, especially when there are other options available in the $100 range and less.

Your antenna efficiency is greater at higher frequencies (for a fixed 3 meter antenna), which is why you get better range.  They're also less prone to interference.

But you would actually get better range at the lower frequencies if you could increase antenna size to resonance, as the longer wavelength can get around obstructions easier.  Think the many thousands of miles range obtained by longwave stations.

Posted by: @artisan-radio

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But you would actually get better range at the lower frequencies if you could increase antenna size to resonance, as the longer wavelength can get around obstructions easier.  Think the many thousands of miles range obtained by longwave stations.

Huh? Are you just saying you could get better range if you increased your antenna length?

You made me chuckle.

Perhaps that didn't come out quite right.

If you had antennas at resonance on both high and low MW broadcast band frequencies, you'd get better range (potentially on the lower frequencies, due to that signal's ability to better get around  obstructions (with a longer wavelength).  However, there is more noise at lower frequencies, which might negate that extra range.

There.  That's better?

@artisan-radio I know what you mean, but isn't it true that the only way to tune an antenna to resonance for an AM frequency (lower or higher) is to extend the antennas length to a height that's resonate with what ever frequency desired?

As it stands the best we can legally achieve is a limited quarter wave length at the highest frequency of 1700 with a ten foot antenna, right?

I understand (I think) that your saying that with all things equal (a true resonate antenna for a given frequency) that the lower frequencies will be the better performer. However that's an impossible achievement with Part 15, so in which case the higher frequencies are always the best option if range is the primary concern.

Well, I was watching the most recent SStran on eBay alll week, the one that was still around a high bid of $50 when I mentioned it above. Last alert I got was 3 hours before it ended yesterday, by that time and the price had risen to $128...

I was guessing it would to off at about $160 (as I mentioned anove I've been suspicious over all the previous auctions this year they all sold for $300 to $400, to me it was a potential red flag of shill bidding - not that there was any real evidence of it I can point too, I just thought it was too many for such a high price that it didn't make sense to me, but I expected this one would actually go for considerably less, like under $200. But what do I know? Nothing.

In the last 3 hours of the auction the SStran climbed from $128 and sold for $362.00

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167905645281
"This unit is preset to 1300"

Like wow! Every single SStran on eBay this year everyone has sold for an average of $350 to $400. (Actually one sold for $299, but you get the point).

Are they really worth that? In my mind if your going to spend that much then it makes a lot more sense to go a couple hundred more and get a certified Procaster which is a lot more capable out of the box than any SStran could ( with possible exception to the AMT5000)

I don't think e-bay prices are true indicators of what something is worth.

People tend to go crazy bidding, once they decide they want something.  I've seen new items still available go for far more used on ebay than the new prices.

I call it bidding frenzy.

As for the buy it now prices, there must be an awful lot of people with money to burn out there.

@artisan-radio I totally agree with that. The bottom line is that any product is worth whatever the consumer is willing to pay for it. Back when I was still into 16mm hobby the same type discussions arose on why some films reels my view titles always seem to be going for over $1,000 when in reality they weren't worth anything near that on 16mm film. It always comes down to how bad the competing bidders want the item.

But with Part 15 transmitters it's kind of a different situation, a new Spitfire which seems to be comparable are readily available new for like $100, so why pay $300 more for a used SStran?

Actually the ones sold recently are in line of the prices a decade ago. On May 3, 2015, this SStran AMT5000  sold for $249.95. Notice in the description, it was also set low to "1520 KC". This is an apparent dedication webpage for it or something, some cool pictures too.
https://www.radioattic.com/item.htm?radio=1390070

"... .. This assembled transmitter is the Top Of The Line .. ... This high efficiency pro SSTRAN AMT5000 low power AM broadcast transmitter is designed to be equal or exceed the range and audio quality of all other FCC Part 15 AM transmitters currently being sold at any price. The AMT5000 employs a class E Mosfet switching RF amplifier that is 98% efficient and capable of 130% modulation when using an external asymmetrical peak limiter. It retains the proven audio preamp/compressor/limiter and RF frequency synthesizer from the widely acclaimed lesser AMT3000 while adding design innovations in the RF output tuning stages and audio input stages. Meets all FCC Part 15 rules for home use. AC power supply, ground wire, antenna wire and manual are included. Currently set to transmit at 1520 KC on the AM broadcast radio band. Ready for your enjoyment now, just add your own music source! 8"W x 1-1/2"H x 4"D.
https://www.radioattic.com/item.htm?radio=1390070