Need an Answer Procaster Verses Rangemaster

I have owned a Rangemaster for years. Its hard to imagine a better performing transmitter. I am sure there will be one some day with the +120 percent modulation capability with good sounding audio. Of course, It takes a pro grade audio processor to get these kind of modulation levels. The Inovonics 222 does the trick. The processor also ads NRSC equalization to the audio which makes it sound even better.

For a Procaster comparison with the "other" transmitter, check out this link:

http://www.chezradio.com/proc_comp.htm

Have fun.

Rev. Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Rhemaradio.us

To be fair:
http://www.am1000rangemaster.com/amcompare.pdf

Hi John

Thanks for that.

I am setting up a Christian Radio Station,but hope to move on to a
larger station later that License ,but Right now the FCC is not accepting Applications for Large AM Broadcast
Stations,and the FM Licenses are coming up in September For Auctioning. Bids are going to be very high
for them.

Thanks SKW40

Rangemaster
http://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/reviews/Rangemaster_10_17_2008_P01.html

Chez Radio
http://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/reviews/Procaster_05_2008_P01.html

Enjoy, Your mileage may vary!

HI John

I notice on the Rangemaster that it says it has the Frequency 1710Khz approved.

Ok under FCC rules Part 15 your cannot go past 1705 Khz unless you attenate at least 20 db
below level of the unmodulated carrier.. So when the Rangemaster hits the Frequency 1710 does the signal
automatically attenuate 20 db down..Since under Part 15 Frequecies 510-1705 Khz can use the 100mw
input power to the final RF stage.

Under Part 15.209
frequencies from 1.705 to 30 Mhz Field Strength
30uv @ 30 meters is legal

a meter is 3.28 ft so 30 meters is 98.4 feet away from your antenna..
Anyways if someone goes by this they easly could get up on the Amateur Radio bands and be legal.
If Proprogation is good they could end up making contacts,since I know people who do QRP with
microwatts... To get this field strength you are still talking about a transmitter putting out at least
10 to 25 mw RF depending on what kind of antenna they are using. Has anyone in the amateur radio
Community ever thought of this happening. CW contacts could happen with this durring the right times.
I am license so it really does not effect me,but someone non license could even make a 25mw SSB
Transmitter and end up legaly talking with out being in trouble say on 40 or 80 meters. Remember
good Amateur Radio equipment has a sensitivity of .1 microvolts... That means that 30 micro volt signal
at almost 100ft out could go miles before fading out with a receiver with .1 microvolt sensivity...

It almost the same power allowed on the FM band,but more... You are allow 30uv at 98.4FT

with 250uv@ 3 meters on the FM Band look it does not even reach 98.4 FT with 30uv.

At 78 ft out you signal is at 31uv on FM
157 ft out your signal is at 15uv on FM

Well you get my point Someone could legaly get on the Amateur Radio band under Part 15.209
and possibly make contancts since the receivers amateur Radio operators use are very sensitive.

Anyways back to my question does the Rangemaster Go down in power if on 1710Khz since
it is outside of the band.?????

Thanks Sean

Sean,

It is clear from your posts that you have a lot of knowledge, education, and experience in radio. You can figure out the answer to your question yourself.

Yep, you're right!

The referenced link, http://www.am1000rangemaster.com/amcompare.pdf, has at least one misleading item: ASYMMETRICAL MODULATION, yes, no, no.

Since the Rangemaster has no internal audio processing, it cannot be stated that asymmetrical modulation is a feature. Asymmetric modulation is a feature of some audio processors such as the popular Inovonics 222 (although, the Inovonics spec sheet is vague about this capability). When an external audio processor with asymmetrical capability is used, the only requirement of the transmitter is that it is has no internal circuits that alter the waveform and it has enough headroom to handle excess positive modulation (typically +130%). The SSTRAN amd Procaster transmitters both use the same internal processor that does not enable asymmetrical modulation. But, both products allow you to disable the internal audio processor by simple control settings. When this is done, any external processor will be in full control.

So all three classes of transmitters ("Rangemaster, Indoor Tabletops and Other Outdoor Units") can do asymmetrical modulation and all three require an external audio processor to accomplish the task.

The concept of asymmetrical modulation only applies to the human voice, which is asymmetrical by nature. It's a good thing to pass the asymmetrical nature of voice to get maximum "punch", but music is not asymmetrical and will distort if forced into asymmetry. The Inovonics 222 spec says that it will "pass" asymmetrical waveforms. If I interpret this correctly, the 222 doesn't create asymmetry, it just somehow allows any asymmetry to be passed without limiting. So, since music is not asymmetrical, I assume the 222 will not distort music. I hope that is the case.

The Inovonics 222 spec says that it will "pass" asymmetrical waveforms. If I interpret this correctly, the 222 doesn't create asymmetry, it just somehow allows any asymmetry to be passed without limiting. So, since music is not asymmetrical, I assume the 222 will not distort music.

this is correct. it passes asymmetrical peaks while limiting negative peaks to below 100 %.

most commercial processors also allow you to adjust the amount of positive peaks you want before limiting kicks in on them.

i have a CRL air chain here. I run into 10 band eq, aphex compellor, then into a big bottom, then from here it splits via a RDL Distribution Amp to my telos audio active on the stream, a mono crl processing chain on the rangemaster and a stereo crl processing chain on the cquam carrier current.

the CRL final limiters allow for asymmetrical processing along with a multiband compressor.

Automatically? No. The Rangemaster has an adustable power output pot.