Post by sgtpeppers on Oct 15, 2011 19:05:34 GMT -6
Here's a diagram on starting your own radio station
Sound Source--------Transmitter----------Antenna
That is a fairly basic setup, but here's mine.
Laptop . | . Mic ---Mixing board--- 1watt transmitter---30w amp---LPF---ant . | . | . Record Player
Your sound source can be anything. it could be a laptop, ipod, microphone, CD player, record player, anything.
There are plenty of transmitters on here, we have a few reviewed on here but if you ask about it we can try and tell you all about them.
Antennas: Check our forums on antennas. There are a few tutorials on them.
Feedlinel. between your transmitter you need feedline. I use RG213u which is a 50 ohm line. Make sure you match your feedline, antenna, and transmitter impedance so you don't cook your stuff.
LPF: Low Pass Filter. this removes unwanted signals that effect aircraft and TV signals. without one you are sure to be complained about and shut down.
I'll make a paint diagram later on when I get home. Please let me know if i missed anything.
Regardless of how good x and y transmitter may be, it is highly advisable to install a low pass filter of at least the 5 pole variant into the transmission system. Next to everything else, the low pass filter is just as vital as is the transmitter itself getting your programs to the audience.
That filter can save you a ton of trouble as well as the potential loss of all that gear, not to mention avoiding that visit and nasty fine along with a new piece of paper called a NAL to frame and hang on the wall to display with pride.
Peace!
K-ROCKS RadioOne
ZeroPointRadio
AM Stereo 1670
FM Stereo 92.1
Post by ghostprototype on Nov 12, 2011 20:42:29 GMT -6
Is it bad that I actually found this helpful? I had it in my mind that this was more complicated than it actually is. Looking forward to picking up some gear and broadcasting for the first time on actual radio-waves. Thanks!
hey there. this is a first post. I appreciate the simplicity of this subject. It is great to come across introductory information like this. I am wondering two things in relation to your set-up peppers. how does the 30 watt amp come in to play? What is it's role? And how far are you able to broadcast with your set-up? thanks much!
I agree it is not that hard to get setup but then the bug gets you and then it is more power, better antenna etc. The computer running my radio software was giving me nasty hard drive failure messages so I got rid of it and ordered a Blackberry 32gig Playbook ( $149.00) to serve as my music source. I am still waiting to order my AAREFF transmitter and limiter/compressor (100 watts) and I had to buy a mixer because the new TX does not have a mic input. as you can see I am running off a mp3 player for now. my Playbook will be here thursday. And below my Chinese transmitter (7Watts) low pass filter and an old computer power supply turned into a bench power supply with 3 output voltages. And outside is a 5/8th wave vertical also from Aareff about 35 feet high. To date my farthest signal has been 7.75 miles.
Yea Google says 12.4 kms ( I don't do metric conversions) The signal was a little fuzzy but still listenable. A 7 watt transmitter but my antenna paperwork says 4.8 Db gain (2.8X)so maybe about 18 watts at the antenna (minus loss from cables connectors swr etc.) Still not enough, I am still waiting to order my 100 watt transmitter and limiter/compressor from Aareff. I got my playbook yesterday and loaded an app. called Neutron as my music player. With everything plugged in. From L to R= Playbook,CD, MP3,8 input mixer ( the first mixer had issues so I upgraded to the 8 channel... and just added two M-Audio studio monitors ... And now have ordered my limiter/compressor (X2)
can someone link me to a good low pass filter i can buy? and also i would like to know if its possible to get an amp to increase my wattage and go futher? im running on a CZH15a + GP Antenna, i get a little over a mile
edited by Kage: striked out text because you already made a thread asking about this
i would like to know if its possible to get an amp to increase my wattage and go futher? im running on a CZH15a + GP Antenna, i get a little over a mile
That transmitter is capable of 15 watts as is. Not sure if you have it setup for full power. There is an option on its menu to switch from either 2 or 15 watts output. I think full power is activated or deactivated by a button pressed while powering it on? Either way 15 watts into a good antenna should get you out a lot more than just a mile! I would suggest to start with figuring out why that is first before you even consider increasing power with an external RF amplifier.
My suggestion would be to put that transmitter through a LPF (which you asked about in another thread), then into a higher quality antenna than the POS antenna it came with. Even a simple dipole antenna would probably be an improvement over the one it comes with from factory.
With 2 watts I could see only getting out a mile or slightly less if your antenna is <25 feet high. 15 watts on the other hand you should be seeing at least 3 miles or more of range, but of course this all depends on many factors like your height above average terrain, buildings in the way, loss in coaxial cable length, and so much more.
Seriously do not put that thing into any sort of an amplifier until you get these basic issues figured out first. Heck I would even recommend NOT running the transmitter at all until it's at least put through a low pass filter since (as it has been said so many times here) those chinese transmitters put out a lot of unwanted crap above the FM broadcast band that will get you noticed by the authorities faster than your actual broadcast that you want people to hear.
i can tell you that it says its already on "HI" transmitting power my antenna is not outside though. it sits in my room. on the 2nd floor of an apartment building. prolly about 15feet or more from the ground. i figure this was why my signal was so weak from the getgo
when i first got the transmitter. it wouldnt even make it down the street without messing up. i replaced the mitsubshi chip that came in it and thens when i got MUCH better. It Currently goes about 2Miles this is in a very commical populated county.
can you suggest to me a decent LPF that would work fine with that transmitter, one i can buy?
Your help is greatly appreciated since noone has really tried to help me here
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