John Sees

Well, these things are options: solar power, C-Quam, metering, remote controls and all that stuff. It would be nice to have our transmitter as modular as we can. Not everyone wants the same thing – other than the best range and the best sound. I think we all want that.

In my case, I’d still like a rack-mount transmitter control panel, but with…[Read more]

Well, that sounds easy enough.  I was thinking solar because I think the best place for my tower would be at the back of the property and I wouldn’t have to run a power line back there. Indeed, with a good battery, something like you have should work fine.

Thanks for telling us about it.

John

W9LWA

Thanks for the comments, Legacy.

Wouldn’t any transmitter work with a solar array? I wonder how much an array would cost to power a 100 mw transmitter? It couldn’t be that much, could it? I wouldn’t mind using solar power just for the novelty of it.

I’m not concerned about audio cables radiating. Or anything else that isn’t a ground lead,…[Read more]

What do you think we’d have to do to get your transmitter and antenna designs on a tower? Is C-Quam an option? It seems important to some folks here.

Either way, I think you’re onto something here…

John

W9LWA

Well Legend, I think I’ve figured out everything I wanted to know about the grounding of the range extender, anyway. What I’d really like to know is if you have yours operating yet and if so, how does it sound and what kind of range are you getting?

Thanks,

John

W9LWA

Indeed, that’s how they’re getting away with it.

Thanks

John

W9LWA

Thanks for your comment, Rich.

So, does that mean:

1. The TH is actually sending RF up that coax and getting another 25 feet of antenna+lead; and,

2. Another 25 feet of ground through the coax braid?

John

W9LWA

Thanks, Artisan. That sounds right to me.

John

W9LWA

Well, yes. I think that is what he was trying to tell me and no, it didn’t make sense to me either.

Thanks for your comments.

John

W9LWA

I’m assuming the RG6 braid attaches to the chassis at the transmitter end and the chassis at the range extender in the common fashion for coax through connecters. There isn’t any reason this would be different, is there?

I’ll admit I haven’t quite figured out how this got certified, but a local know-it-all (worse than me, even) is spinning a tale…[Read more]

Well, I do agree that the transmitter should sound really good. Not just kind of good, but really good. I don’t think that’s mutually exclusive with having the highest possible output in pursuit of the best range. I’m ok with stereo, although I suppose that rules out the Rangemaster and Procaster which everyone seems to tell me are otherwise the…[Read more]

Thanks for the comments. They sound about right to me. Here are a few things I might throw in, be them right or wrong:

1. Regarding processing, I do have an ART Pro MPA II 2-channel Tube Microphone Preamp and the matching  Pro-VLA II 2-channel Opto Tube Leveling Amplifier. I’m not even sure what all these things do, but I got them for virtually…[Read more]

I guess at this point, this is what I’m thinking, so far, regarding John’s better than average transmitter:

1. Transmitter belongs outside on top of the tower.

2. Controls, meters and the better-than-average power supply will be rack mounted, although that is not a necessity.  John knows where to get professionally made front panel so it will…[Read more]

So, C-Quam is pretty important to have for a transmitter to be top of the line? I’m familiar with it of course, but  must admit around here in Indiana I’ve never heard anyone speak of it.

But, would there be any downside to having it on the transmitter?

John

W9LWA

Well, perhaps it could be modular with different options such as processing on separate boards that could be included or not as the operator desired?

John

W9LWA

Thanks for commenting. If we come up with something that really is an improvement, I would indeed be willing to get the FCC approvals and get it put into production as I’ve been involved in manufacturing before. But, it wouldn’t have to be just me, if others want to be involved.

John

W9LWA

Well, there is certainly a difference between needs and wants. I don’t need meters but I like and want them. I don’t need any part of the transmitting apparatus to be rack mounted but I want that. It’s a place to put the meters, if nothing else. I think this topic from my perspective is a lot more about wants than needs.

I’m good with having the…[Read more]

Hello Neil,

Thank you for very good comments. I also hope others will join in.  I’d especially like to  know what kind of metering we can reasonably have. I’m of the age that I started out reading the meters and  logging the results every 30 minutes. I probably didn’t appreciate doing it at the time, but at least I knew if  the transmitter was…[Read more]

Good post. Especially enjoy your comments regarding Part 15 technology. Are you aware if any of the current transmitters actually getting 100 mw output? I’d heard about the most was around 60 mw out, be that right or wrong. Agree about antennas. I think there’s room for something more efficient.

I’m waiting to hear results of what kind of range…[Read more]