I’ve been doing some experimenting and I’m getting nice range (about two city blocks in all directions) by putting my Ramsey FM 30 on the second story of my office building. Obviously, when the winter weather arrives, (I live in the northeast) I will not be able to leave the transmitter out in the weather because it will get ruined. I’ve read that it might be possible to put the transmitter in a plastic PVC weather proof box and get throught the snow and rain that way. Here are my questions: 1. Does anyone think this idea might actually be feasable? 2. If this arrangement would work, would I have to cut a hole in the box to “let the antenna out?” 3. Would the small whip antenna that comes with the Ramsey get ruined if it was out in the weather? 4. Would heat build up in the box hurt the transmitter? 5. If all this works, and I have to cut holes in the box to let the antenna out and the extension cord and little Ramsy AC to DC transformer in, what would be the best way to seal around the holes to keep the snow and rain from seeping into the weather proof box? If anyone could offer any suggestions to help me with my problem, and still keep things legal, I truly would appreciate it. Thanks! Ronking
I used a foam ice chest
I had an AM unit on my 2nd floor balcony for several years in a previous location. I used a small foam ice chest – cheap, easy to find, easy to work with. I used the ice chest in an upside down configuration with the lid as the bottom and the chest as the top.
My AM unit had a steel case and it was well shielded from any RF/power noise, so I put the AC adapter and a small audio processor in the ice chest with the transmitter.
I used a toothpick to make a small hole for the audio, antenna and ground wires and pushed the wires through the toothpick holes. The toothpick holes were very snug around the wires and were nearly weather tight as was, but I also did a little drop loop for each to prevent dribble down.
I put the 110 v extension cord and audio cable into notches I sliced in the top where the lid fit, also cut to fit snug and making sure the cords went down after exiting the ice chest to prevent dribble-in.
The ice chest kept the system totally dry and the excess heat from the AC adapter and the transistors in the transmitter kept the system nice and warm, even during an ice storm where the temperature stayed below freezing for several weeks.
In the summer, the light color reflected the heat but it got a bit hot in there. My solution was to carefully cut a small square out of opposite sides with a very thin fillet knife. In the summer I could pull the little squares out at an angle so they created little roofed vents and in the winter I just tucked the squares back where they fit flush with the sides of the chest – worked great!
FM in a Box
1. Does anyone think this idea might actually be feasable?
yes you can “remote outside” your transmitter but for FM the part 15 rules do not restrict the transmission line so consider mounting just your antenna outside and running a coax from there inside to the transmitter.
2. If this arrangement would work, would I have to cut a hole in the box to “let the antenna out?”
Only if it won’t mechanically fit in the box. An antenna will work in a plastic enclosure.
3. Would the small whip antenna that comes with the Ramsey get ruined if it was out in the weather?
Probably. I would suggest a copper wire cut to length.
4. Would heat build up in the box hurt the transmitter?
Unlikely, but I have seen LCD screens turn dark with heat exposure.
5. If all this works, and I have to cut holes in the box to let the antenna out and the extension cord and little Ramsy AC to DC transformer in, what would be the best way to seal around the holes to keep the snow and rain from seeping into the weather proof box?
I use “Duct Sealing Compound” for outdoor antenna and wire connections. You can get it at most large home improvement stores. It is a waxy putty which does not set up hard and which can be removed easily with little mess. Get the type that comes in a brick shaped paper wrapped package. I have an antenna outside where I used this to seal the connections at the base and after 22 years it is easily removed and the connector looks new.
These are my short answers to your well thought out questions and if you need elaboration I will do so.
Neil