The SSTran AMT 3000 boasts as a transmitter kit which can be modified with a homemade antenna, which can be used to legally transmit for up to a mile or a mile and a half.
This is about the range that I would need to broadcast over a good portion of my town. We are located right in the center and it would work really well. There is not other station close to about 1610 khz, so that we wouldn't bother anyone.
The SSTran is a good part 15 transmitter for hobby radio broadcasting and is legal to operate w/o a license as long as the antenna is no longer then 3 feet in length and no earth ground is used. With most part 15 type accepted transmitters (legal power) on AM you can expect less then 1/4 mile range though some people have reported success up to 1/2 mile range but it's rare. You can try to get the transmitter up off the ground as high as you can. Some people mount them in water proof boxes and attach the whole unit to a pole or antenna tower to achive best range.
The only way to get more range is either by modifying the transmitter and use a longer antenna with an earth ground or antenna radials which would make it put out a stronger field strength making it technically illegal to operate (though I doubt anyone would notice ) or get yourself a LPAM license from the FCC which cost a lot and takes time. Also make sure to use a channel that is free of stations or has the least noise.
I know this an old post, but here is the antenna that will deliver the desired results for the Sstran: antenna18431.tripod.com/antenna.htm The antenna is not cheap ($350), but you can order just the coil, and add the copper pipe yourself, it's very important, to place a buried ground plane under the antenna for it to be effective.
I know this an old post, but here is the antenna that will deliver the desired results for the Sstran: antenna18431.tripod.com/antenna.htm The antenna is not cheap ($350), but you can order just the coil, and add the copper pipe yourself, it's very important, to place a buried ground plane under the antenna for it to be effective.
) or get yourself a LPAM license from the FCC which cost a lot and takes time.
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