Ramsey AM1C help needed

[Rockin Rob]

(Simulcast from Part15.us forum)

Ok, folks, bear with me, as I am a newbie at this. I recently obtained a Ramsey AM1C fully wired and tested kit (only - no DC adapter or antenna) pre-tuned to AM 1000. PROBLEM: My area (Philly) has a 50d/10n thunderboomer on AM990, so I need to modify my frequency. Around here, 1620AM would be better. My questions:

1) Is the AM1C eazy to re-tune? Is it as simple as using the "diddle stick" to move to the desired frequency? Or, is it more involved than just that.

2) If you currently have this kit (or ever did), what antenna and DC adapter do you recommend? Over the counter is preferred, but will consider ordering from the web if you swear by it.

3) I plan to use this to broadcast MP3's that have, for whatever reason, been recorded at different levels, so I will need a compresser/limiter in the chain. What say you?

4) Automation equipment - my plan is to make this as close to a broadcast quality sounding AM station as possible. Also, it will aid as I plan on adding programming and I will not be able to man this thing 24/7 (I need to eat and pay the bills, yanno).

Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated!

NOTE: My 1620 is far enough away from WNAR/Lansdale so as to not cause interference.

 

[Grrrradio]

Not very familiar with the 1C, so I can't help on the transmitter-specific issues... but for my (not-so-Part-15 ) FM, I use Winamp 2.81 for automation, with Mariano Lopez' SqrSoft Advanced Crossfading as an output plugin, and Alessandro Tomassini's Sound Solution v1.2 as a limiter/compressor and all-around DSP enhancement. Both plugins have rather complicated and versatile option menus, allowing you to tweak them to your heart's delight.

 

[midatlanticengineer]

1) Is the AM1C eazy to re-tune? Is it as simple as using the "diddle stick" to move to the desired frequency? Or, is it more involved than just that.[/quote]

It should be very easy. I beleive there are some instructions on the ramsey site that you can download....the URL of which was posted on part15.us

[/quote]
2) If you currently have this kit (or ever did), what antenna and DC adapter do you recommend? Over the counter is preferred, but will consider ordering from the web if you swear by it.[/quote]

I've had transmitter simular to the AM1C. I recommend a good regulated 12 vdc power supply and a base loaded vertical. Also I'd recommend trying to keep the room temp and humidity as close to constant as possible and make sure that your antenna is electrically "sound". Otherwise you are going to be dealing with a fair amount of frequency drift. Thus you'd have to give your station the slogan "The wandering entertainer, 1620...opps wait, 1621, no wait 1619...wait, 1615"...and now this hit from the Drifters!

[/quote]
3) I plan to use this to broadcast MP3's that have, for whatever reason, been recorded at different levels, so I will need a compresser/limiter in the chain. What say you?

4) Automation equipment - my plan is to make this as close to a broadcast quality sounding AM station as possible. Also, it will aid as I plan on adding programming and I will not be able to man this thing 24/7 (I need to eat and pay the bills, yanno). [/quote]

Email me directly...I may have something here that will take care of question 3 and 4.


Bob Carter - KC4QLP
-------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic-Engineering-Services of Utica NY / Elizabeth City NC

http://www.geocities.com/midatlanticengineeringservice
WKVU-FM Utica/Rome NY,WKVJ-FM Dannemora/Plattsburgh NY,WKYJ-FM Rouses Point NY,WRCS-AM Ahoskie NC
-------------------------------------------------------------
WMHV 1700 AM [part 15 radio]
http://geocities.com/wmhv1700am

 

[dbdigital]

Speaking of Ramsey

There is an interesting NAL filed by the FCC involving one Oreste Abreu of P.R. for unlicened broadcasting.

In the NAL it says this:

"On September 8, 2006, while in the Gurabo area for other investigative work, agents from the Commission’s San Juan Office of the Enforcement Bureau (“San Juan Office”) monitored radio broadcast transmissions on 91.7 MHz from over 10 miles from the signals’ source."

and

"The agent inspected the station and found a Ramsey FM transmitter in use. Based on the agent’s experience with this equipment and the distance that the signal was heard, the agent concluded that the signals being broadcast exceeded the limits for operation under Part 15 of the Commission’s Rules"

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-166A1.txt

We know Ramsey and the FCC have tangled in the past but this is the first time I've seen the FCC identify the make of illegal transmitter. I wonder which Ramsey FM TX Mr. Abreu was using?; the FM100B with the one watt option and a 5/8 wave FM antenna or something stronger? Ten miles is impressive.

BTW, for demonstrating his inability to pay the 10K fine, Mr. Abreu was able to get the FCC to reduce it to $500.00.

db

 

[easyfm]

Can't help you on 1 & 2, but for 3 & 4, go to www.stationplaylist.com and download the demo of Station Playlist Creator and Studio. It also has Sound Solutions broadcast processor software integrated.

I use it and can thoroughly recommend it, particularly for price and support.

 

[phatdaddy]

In regard to your mp3s being recorded at various levels, I wash them all through Glen Sawyer's "mp3gain" program. This is used to "normalize" the level of each mp3 to a user defined common audio level. Like another poster mentioned, I use Winamp for automation with the Sqr-Soft crossfader and Pietro Pro's Rock Steady compressor plugins and my on-air signal sounds a good as anything else on the air around here.