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Low Power Fm costs?

C

Captain Morgan

If they become available again, how much would it cost me to get a transmitter package,
one that I could get around my small neighborhood with?

I probably couldn't afford it, but it would be a fun hobby.

Is there a free music scheduling system I could use on my computer to feed to the transmitter?
 
If you're looking to construct an licensed LPFM station the engineering and legal fees alone are pretty hefty so unless you're armed with a war chest from a non-profit or other eligible group you probably won't be able to afford it. I can't give you any exact numbers offhand but perhaps some other kind soul may chime in.

Since you mentioned it being a "fun hobby" you can dabble in license-free Part 15 radio. While it's nowhere near any real range (more or less considered yardcasting) you can do so on a hobby budget. Many school districts also use Part 15 for on-campus radio where there are no channels available for licensing.

You're more than welcome to check out my site which specializes Part 15 AM and FM radio.
 
Here is a site that somebody put together. I have no idea who this person is, but their numbers look about right.
This will give you an idea of the equipment costs. http://home.rose.net/~level42/lpfm.html

I agree with Bill, you must have a consultant find you an open frequency, etc. and that will cost you as much or more than the equipment.
 
I found both my Class A, and later B-1 upgrade using a Commodore 64 computer, back before the internet. There are plenty of tools on the 'net, including at the FCC (see their FM preliminary study program) that will allow you to do your own research to find an LPFM channel once the new rules come out. Especially if you are in a rural/small city area, finding a channel may not be a problem. Look at this program from Rec. Net:

http://cdbs.recnet.net:8080/lpfm.php

The new law sets up a blue-print for the Commission to follow in setting up their rules, we will need to see what they come up with. The RecNet program obviously does not factor in those rules, but they have a setting for an "educated guess" that will be good for planning purposes.

For the most part, the rules will use "minimum separations." In other words, if your proposed transmitter site is XX.5 kilometers from the existing co channel station, you are OK. If your site is XX.5 kilometers - 1 KM, the site does not work. So, using a rough program like the RecNet program, then some research in the FCC's database will tell you everything a consultant would tell you.

The real hurdle will be finding a tower. New FCC rules and many state rules make tower construction a very expensive proposition.
 
Bill DeFelice said:
... Since you mentioned it being a "fun hobby" you can dabble in license-free Part 15 radio. ... Many school districts also use Part 15 for on-campus radio where there are no channels available for licensing.
Click to expand...

Just to note per FCC 15.221 that unlicensed "campus" broadcasting has been authorized only in the AM broadcast band.

However the AM band field intensity permitted at the perimeter of the "campus" by FCC 15.221(b)(2) is very low -- ranging from about 44 µV/m at 540 kHz to about 14 µV/m at 1700 kHz. These values are below the ambient radio noise level, and would not provide acceptable service to the average radio listener, regardless of frequency.

A good AM broadcast receiver needs about a 150 µV/m analog field intensity for tolerable reception, given low co- and adjacent-channel interference.

For useful "on-campus" service even by the inverse distance rule, the greatest radius to that 150 µV/m groundwave field intensity contour likely could be less than that same radius for an unlicensed station in functional compliance with 15.219(b).

Therefore the FCC rules relating to unlicensed "campus broadcasting" may not provide any advantage to those who wish to promote and use such systems (assuming they are FCC-compliant).

Unlicensed operators in the FM broadcast band must meet 15.239 to be compliant. No "campus rules" apply.
 
Hah...that's my site!! Man...I made that about 6 years ago...used to be linked from one of my business websites, didn't even realize it was still there.

Shoot me an email and I'll be happy to price out a few different packages for you.
 
The low power CP antenna made by SWR (and available through RF Specialties) makes a good antenna for an LPFM. It's not that expensive, and much more rugged than some of the "LPFM" antennas out there made of aluminum tubing. Especially some of the cheap v-pol ground plane types.

A v-pol only antenna used to be a good choice for translators or low power since it was easy to install and one could use a smaller transmitter for a given ERP; while putting a strong signal into car radios. Not any more--too many cars with those short, raked-back antennas (VW Jettas and Ford Focus and Fusions, for example). You need a CP antenna for good penetration.
 
I would suggest a Penetrator style like Jampro,Eri has one now.I like ERI.You may pay more for it but it will perform.Get a one bay and use a 250 watt xmtr.Don;t scrimp on the antenna,especially at this power level.They must put some kind of magic dust in those ERI's.The Nautel VS 300 is being certified for LPFM,talk about a sweet box,Mercy..once again pay the extra and get the best.
 
I second the ERI's. We have an SWR which was our original and is still mounted as a back-up. The ERI way outperforms. But the SWR is a very good, solid antenna.
 
RE, you'd have to go up to the 1kw level with Jampro for a substantial penetrator.

JLLP Low Power FM Antenna

Which, I suppose you can do. The antenna Jampro markets for the LPFM market is a stainless steel modified ring-and-stub.

We are using the original series ERI FM100-2. The FM100A in the current ERI catalog is not the same. The mark I FM100 was more substantial.
 
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