Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 3, 2018 4:28:14 GMT -6
Greetings To All From Somewhere High In The Appalachian Mountains !
For anyone seeking an excellent quality, rock solid 5 watt FM Stereo Broadcast Transmitter you simply cannot beat this unit for a mere $35.49 plus $5.00 shipping from Hong Kong ! It delivers a rock solid 5 watts output and is VERY well built and uses an aluminum case enclosure, very robust for an excellent price ! This is great to have, even as a backup transmitter for the sake of a small investment, probably the cheapest FM Stereo broadcast transmitter you are ever likely to find !!
"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 dave radio on Jan 10, 2018 14:39:22 GMT -6
First forum post and glad to find the resource. Quick question for anyone... I notice the product link, as many made in china product, is a 50us pre-emphasis xmtr. Do you find this to be a concern with the North America 75us standard for de-emphasis? No biggie? Addressed with EQ?
I ask as for the last 4 years I've been using an EDM-CS xmtr which came preset for the North America standard, and I'm considering a bit more powerful unit. Thanks, anyone, for the knowledgeable reply.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 12, 2018 3:53:30 GMT -6
Good Morning Dave !
I have found through trial and error that in fact, from my observations, that the 50 us pre-emphasis of this small transmitter and other Chinese made transmitters isn't really all that important. I use a a Xenyx Model 1002FX Mixer/Effects Processor and use it to tailor the sound of my audio before sending it out to my compressor/limiter. I also have a HPA (80 Watts) being driven by another Chinese made transmitter Model ST-15B, 5/15 Watts. Realistically, I have two of this model and neither one produces 15 watts, I get a maximum of 10 watts using a Bird Model 43 Wattmeter and 50 watt slug into a 50 Ohm dummy load. The station sounds at least as good as most of the commercial broadcasters and even better than some ! What make and model of transmitter were you thinking of purchasing ?
Best regards, 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 Jan 12, 2018 3:58:53 GMT -6
Hi Dave !
Read here regarding Pre-emphasis 50 us vs, 75 us... It isn't all that important really unless you are a 'type A purist'.. LOL !! Hope this puts the issue to rest for you.. Take care brother ! Let me know what transmitter you happen to purchase or are thinking of purchasing.
"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 dave radio on Jan 16, 2018 11:45:54 GMT -6
Thanks for posting the link. Yeah, maybe I am that 'type A purist'. 30 years of commercial FM broadcasting filled with dissatisfaction of signal quality ... for the 4 years or so I've used the EDM-CS I've been using SAM Broadcaster software and over the years have modified my compression/EQ processing to work in concert together and I'm quite pleased with the quality of sound; I wouldn't want to start messing with what took me a long time to develop.
I began using the EDM with a home-brew dipole enclosed in pvc and mounted outside to my chimney. It's worked well. Just bought a 1/4 wave ground plane and it works a bit better. Nice hole at 92.3 in my area and I'd like to bump up my reach a bit. The xmtr link you posted shows a mini plug to get audio in... the EDM uses L/R rca connectors and I'd like to stick with that although honestly don't know if that's a concern or not. Not sure yet of the new xmtr direction to take.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 17, 2018 12:07:22 GMT -6
Hi Dave !
Sounds like you also have been at this for a while. The main transmitter I am using is a ST-15B 5/15 Watt model in conjunction with my homebrew 80 Watt HPA posted pix of which are in the Pirate Radio AM/FM area of this forum. When you order one of these you may specify at the time of placing your order that you want it setup for 75us pre-emphasis which is what mine is setup for and sounds very good ! I use a Xenyx Model 1002FX Effects Processor with built in adjustable EQ feeding an old Tascam Model M-06ST Stereo Mixer. It does a really nice job ! I am using a Ground Plane antenna also but plan on building a 'J-Pole' to test out, I have read quite a few positive comments about their performance so figured I would build one and give it a try, they are cheap and easy to build and tune. I am at 99.9 in my theater of operations, nothing local at all on it and nothing adjacent on either side of it either, the perfect spot on the dial ! :-)
73, Please keep me updated on your progress if you like ! 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 Jan 17, 2018 12:12:34 GMT -6
By the way, I discovered from disassembly, that the $35.00 transmitter ultizes a 2SC1971 output transistor which from doing some research looks like I should be able to replace it with a 2SC1972 transistor and double it's output to 10 watts instead of 5 watts for $1.79 for the part ! I ordered the transistor today and I will post my results as soon as I install the component.
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"
Sounds like you also have been at this for a while. The main transmitter I am using is a ST-15B 5/15 Watt model in conjunction with my homebrew 80 Watt HPA posted pix of which are in the Pirate Radio AM/FM area of this forum. When you order one of these you may specify at the time of placing your order that you want it setup for 75us pre-emphasis which is what mine is setup for and sounds very good ! I use a Xenyx Model 1002FX Effects Processor with built in adjustable EQ feeding an old Tascam Model M-06ST Stereo Mixer. It does a really nice job ! I am using a Ground Plane antenna also but plan on building a 'J-Pole' to test out, I have read quite a few positive comments about their performance so figured I would build one and give it a try, they are cheap and easy to build and tune. I am at 99.9 in my theater of operations, nothing local at all on it and nothing adjacent on either side of it either, the perfect spot on the dial ! :-)
73, Please keep me updated on your progress if you like ! Spooky...
I emailed back and forth with a couple of the folks doing the ebay/sold and shipped from china thing regarding a CZE-15b transmitter but found it difficult to communicate. One seller said the 75us pre-emphasis could be provided on request but I felt I'd be told anything to make the sale and was left with a nagging doubt regarding user comments about annoying and undesirable fan noise. I'm really spoiled by the clean, clear edm quality and don't want to go backwards spending ~ $200 for a CZE-15b. Any experience to share about this specific unit or a quality alternative?
By the way, I discovered from disassembly, that the $35.00 transmitter ultizes a 2SC1971 output transistor which from doing some research looks like I should be able to replace it with a 2SC1972 transistor and double it's output to 10 watts instead of 5 watts for $1.79 for the part ! I ordered the transistor today and I will post my results as soon as I install the component.
Spooky...
Now this sounds interesting. Even at original 5 watts. In addition to going from dipole to 1/4 GP antenna, I raised antenna height an additional 3.5 feet so antenna is about 25 feet above ground level...not quite enough to clear nearby 2 story houses or tall trees but enough of an improvement to note elevation may be more important than horsepower in my broadcast universe. The $35 transmitter is low enough in cost to try it and see how it works.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 20, 2018 16:06:37 GMT -6
Hi Dave !
I spoke with a seller on EBay today regarding this unit and I was solidly informed that it would not be a problem setting it for 75us PE when ordering. From the correspondence, I would trust this source, no communication gap at all ! Let me know, and if you like, I will message you his unit's URL on Ebay.. By the way, this is a very solidly built little unit, especially for the cheap price, I am impressed ! I am planning on contacting the various sellers/resellers of the various currently available transmitters and see if I can get any of them to submit an example unit for laboratory unbiased technical evaluation and testing so that I may provide good, solid technical information to all of you out there seeking advice on these various units. I have 50 plus years of experience as an electronics technician, 20 of those years with U.S. Department of Defense, and possess the necessary test equipment required. Incidentally, you can get the EXACT same unit as the CZE-15A for $56.00, cheapest, by checking EBay for a generic "ST-15B". It is EXACTLY the same unit for a far cheaper price ! And, yes, antenna height is VERY important and can make a bigger difference than more horsepower, you are 100% correct in that assumption !
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"
"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"
Understood, lol. That said, for clarity, here is the link to the xmtr folks going by the name EDM (manufacturing in South Africa & distributor in USA) and I don't know if the chicken or egg came first.
Thanks for keeping this thread alive. I'm drawing a wealth of info from the site although appears there was more activity several years ago. I do have questions that are specific to different concerns and will create new threads as timing is appropriate.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Jan 21, 2018 16:30:49 GMT -6
Thanks for the EDM info Dave, I will check it out ! And, yes, it does seem this forum was much more lively years ago. Hopefully by posting helpful info here perhaps we can revive participation ! It's a very nice forum, and I too, have gleaned a lot of good info here as well !
Take care, keep in touch !
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"
By the way, I discovered from disassembly, that the $35.00 transmitter ultizes a 2SC1971 output transistor which from doing some research looks like I should be able to replace it with a 2SC1972 transistor and double it's output to 10 watts instead of 5 watts for $1.79 for the part ! I ordered the transistor today and I will post my results as soon as I install the component.
Post by HighMountainRadio on Feb 16, 2018 3:35:09 GMT -6
Hi Dave ! Indeed there is ! I have successfully replaced the 2SC1971 transistor with a 2SC1972 and now realize 9 watts output from this tiny package ! Sounds and works very well ! How's things on your end Dave ?
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"