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Alternatives to Barix Units?

C

cc333

As I posted a while ago, I want to link (I should've mentioned this before: synchronously, if possible) two or more Part 15 transmitters together to legally expand the range of my setup, and someone suggested I get a used Barix encoder and some decoders (one per transmitter).

However, when I looked them up, used units were selling for upwards of $200 or more for the encoder or decoder alone. This, of course, is "cheap," but I would nonetheless like to know if there's anything cheaper available (like, in the $50-$100 range), or if there's something I can set up myself using a few computers (like, is there some general purpose software I can use that works similarly to the Barix stuff?) I don't mean Icecast streams, either. That would do in a pinch i suppose, but the latency is so variable, that I would think that linking things together and synchronizing them together so there's no delays would be impossible?

So... thoughts?

c
 
cc333 said:
Nothing?

c
Click to expand...
At the bargain basement price range you're looking at, not really. Barix is already a pretty cheap solution with a lot of problems (including security issues), and if you're looking for synchronized playout at a variety of sites with varying internet latency, Barix can't even do that.

Anything that can is much more expensive - you'd be looking at stuff from Comrex or Tieline to do what you want to do.
 
Hmm, I figured as much.

Oh, well. I wonder how setups like Radio Sausalito do it? (they do essentially what I'm trying to do: provide coverage to a large area with a network of synchronized low power transmitters).

c
 
If you are looking at building a SFN (all transmitters on the same frequency) then you would need to look at Intraplex or similar products. They would need synchronising with GPS. All very expensive and quite tricky for analogue broadcasting.
 
I'm dusting off this topic because I have some new information to add....

I'm kind of thinking that there's no real alternative to Barix boxes that would be anywhere within my budget (the Barix'es barely are as it is), so I think that's what I'll do.

However! I realized that reliable internet connections might be hard to come by.

I asked my IT instructor (who happens to be a self-described radio nerd) what he thought, and he suggested I buy A Ubiquitty UniFi system to remotely beam my internet to the transmitter. Could that work? It's not like I need to cover hundreds or even dozens of miles; a range of 2 to 3 miles is all I need.

Thoughts?

bigdonho said:
Also remember that even the slightest difference in transmitter frequency will cause an annoying beat note.
Click to expand...
I believe the Procaster has a fine tuning control for just that reason.

mpx said:
Stereo Tool with micro mpx can do SFN
Click to expand...
Really? I'll have to look into that, although I have a feeling that it's probably overkill for my application (a flea-power hobby station built on a shoestring budget).

c
 
I have used the Ubiquity devices with success in a couple of installations. One in the Florida Keys was a run of around 3 miles to an island where there was very limited phone service. (A DSL circuit that was down almost as much as it was up.) Used a combination of Barix and Comrex to feed audio to an FM and an AM plus backhauled four satellite channels with contact closures plus remote control. Worked well even through a couple of hurricanes.

The second was a run of around 9 miles using Comrex to feed two translators. Worked well for about 3 years when the area in the path built up and buckets of 5 gHz wireless stuff made it spotty.

Both paths were direct line of sight. Be aware that the Ubiquity units are very susceptible to lightening.
 
bigdonho said:
Both paths were direct line of sight. Be aware that the Ubiquity units are very susceptible to lightening.
Click to expand...
OK, thanks for that.

Fortunately, lightening is quite uncommon at my location, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Comrex? Is that something similar to Ubiquiti?

c
 
A Comrex is an audio Codec that gives far more control of it's parameters. It is also a Bi directional link (it send audio both ways.)
The Barix is also an audio codec. Their inexpensive version is not Bi directional and you need to buy the encoder for the studio side and the Decoder for the transmitter. Both have an ethernet connection you can connect to an Ubiquity link.

The ubiquity needs a unit at both ends. The link is Bi directional and kinda acts like a long ethernet cable. I use this set up for an LPFM using a Barix running PCM to connect to the transmitter almost 2 miles away. You can get a pair of Ubiquity NSM5 units for around $195. For a wireless STL you need a Ubiquity unit and an audio codec at the studio and the same for the transmitter.
 
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