K good day all, and thank u for ur help in advance... I ordered a 5 watt FM transmitter hoping to get about 4 or 5 miles in the city. Knowing I was only gonna get a 1/2 to 1 mile. I am in the process of setting up a station as well...and would like to know if is should dump the stuff I purchased or add an FM amp to the transmitter, and get a different antenna. I would like to know what I would need to go 10 to 15 miles in the city.Here is a link to the transmitter and antenna I have...Thanxs again for anyhelp...http://www.vhf-fm-transmitter.com/category/5w-fm-transmitter/
Sometimes those Chinese transmitters cause more trouble than they are worth! I can clear a couple of miles in a desert city with 100 milliwatts, I know a guy with nothing more than a five watt transmitter and a pair of rabbit ears in the window clears 4-five miles. The first peace of equipment you need is a SWR meter, the Diamond SX200 is the best and cost around $100, a cheaper one from Pyramid cost around $25 but is less accurate, but will get the job done. Next up is a good antenna, a 1/4 wave ground plane from FM DX will set you back about $60; it has no gain, but should give you a nice non directional signal. Those two items should help get you started, the SWR mete will determine how much power you are putting out and help fine tune the antenna for maximum coverage. It also helps to know what kind of city you live in; a city in the desert will have different results, than a city like Los Angeles where all the trees will eat up your signal. Go to the www.radiobrandy.com FM section for links to the antenna etc. The truth is you would be better off with a LCD transmitter from EDM and putting a small amp on it than that Chinese transmitter. but since you already have it, you might as well make the most out of it.
One other item your station will need is a audio processor, go to www.outlawradio.us and click on studio for info on the best processor, which will set you back another $100
If you have any and all questions I would be very pleased to advise and assist you in your endeavor ! Simply message me on this forum ..
73... Spooky...
"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jun 16, 2018 20:13:47 GMT -6
Greetings From High Mountain Radio !
One additional, very important thing to mention here is, use good quality, low loss coaxial cable for your transmission line AND, equally important if using a Ground Plane antenna, be CERTAIN to incorporate a 'RF Choke' at the antenna feed point !! This is easily fabricated as per the included attached pix..
This will prevent your coaxial cable transmission line from radiating stray RF along the outer braid and cause high reflected RF power back to your transmitter and WILL SURELY drive you crazy when trying to tune your antenna for minimum reflected RF power !!! Of that, I can absolutely ASSURE you !!!
Check out the attached pix of my homebrew RF Choke using nothing more than 50 Ohm impedance, I used type RG-58/U coax..
Simply wind 6 complete turns into a 6 inch diameter circle and insert it into your coaxial transmission line, it WILL make an absolute world of difference, trust me !! I have been 'in the game' for 50 years, have worked with a LOT of antennas of various types over many years !
Hope this helps guide you in the right direction ! If I can assist you in any way, don't hesitate to message me here on this forum ! Good luck !
73... Spooky... 'High Mountain Radio - 99.9 FM'
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"Knowledge Is Always Made More Valuable By Sharing It With Others !" Always Remember To Be Kind ! True Greatness Often Has Very Humble Beginnings ! Help A Kid Out Today ! *** High Mountain Radio *** "Broadcasting From Somewhere High In The Remote Appalachian Mountains"
