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RAMSEY FM Transmitters

O

OldiesJock

Guest
I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board, but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile. That would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great. My audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts, ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
 
> I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board,
> but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey
> FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from
> this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile. That
> would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an
> old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great. My
> audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,
> ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
>
Depending on your anttena system its should give u just about that .Otherwise its a hobby transmitter ! <P ID="signature">______________
Darrin K

</P>
 
Half a mile might be a bit much. 1/4 mile is about right for most legal part 15 FM transmitters, assuming a good receiver at the other end. 1/2 mile is a bonus.

> I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board,
> but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey
> FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from
> this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile. That
> would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an
> old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great. My
> audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,
> ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
>
 
FM part 15 comes up all the time, but..

> I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board,> but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey> FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from> this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile. That> would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an> old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great. My> audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,> ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.> Be aware!.....about the best you can do LEGALLY with part 15FM is 200 feet; that is great if you are serving a large apartment building or hospital/hospice.Really, part 15 am affords maximum range...miles!...and if you buy the right transmitter and antenna, you can have a signal almost FM like; not stereo mind you, but very very clear.<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected], [email protected],[email protected]</P>
 
> > I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board,
> > but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey
> > FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from
>
> > this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile.
> That
> > would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on
> an
> > old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great.
> My
> > audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,
> > ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
> >
> Depending on your anttena system its should give u just
> about that .Otherwise its a hobby transmitter !
>
Also you have to look at your surroundings. When I was on the air I could get a half a mile with just a wire hanging outside my studio window with my Ramsey FM10. But see my neighbors was corn fields and it was nothing to block my signel.<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
> > > I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this
> board,
> > > but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the
> Ramsey
> > > FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically,
> from
> >
> > > this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile.
> > That
> > > would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands
> on
> > an
> > > old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds
> great.
> > My
> > > audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,
>
> > > ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
> > >
> > Depending on your anttena system its should give u just
> > about that .Otherwise its a hobby transmitter !
> >
> Also you have to look at your surroundings. When I was on
> the air I could get a half a mile with just a wire hanging
> outside my studio window with my Ramsey FM10. But see my
> neighbors was corn fields and it was nothing to block my
> signel.
>
That makes a big difference...Fm, is completely line of sight. My brother however, has some sort of Part 15 FM HEADPHONES unit. And it actually covers about 700 feet, using nothing fancy at all. Alot of it just depends on ground Conductivity,,And of course, how many trees, houses, or whatever is around your property
 
> Also you have to look at your surroundings. When I was on
> the air I could get a half a mile with just a wire hanging
> outside my studio window with my Ramsey FM10. But see my
> neighbors was corn fields and it was nothing to block my
> signel.

Line of sight is VERY important in determining FM coverage. For example, if you're down in a valley, your signal is not going to get over the surrounding hills no matter how much power you put out. When line-of-sight is the limiting factor, then more power will not increase your coverage distance; it will just make your signal clearer and more consistent within the line-of-sight area. In some circumstances, the cut-off point at which your signal disappears will not change regardless if you are transmitting 0.02 watts or 20 watts!
<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
> That makes a big difference...Fm, is completely line of
> sight. My brother however, has some sort of Part 15 FM
> HEADPHONES unit. And it actually covers about 700 feet,
> using nothing fancy at all. Alot of it just depends on
> ground Conductivity,,And of course, how many trees, houses,
> or whatever is around your property
>

Ground conductivity has very little, if anything, to do with FM propagation.
 
> > That makes a big difference...Fm, is completely line of
> > sight. My brother however, has some sort of Part 15 FM
> > HEADPHONES unit. And it actually covers about 700 feet,
> > using nothing fancy at all. Alot of it just depends on
> > ground Conductivity,,And of course, how many trees,
> houses,
> > or whatever is around your property
> >
>
> Ground conductivity has very little, if anything, to do with
> FM propagation.
>
I would usually disagree with that, but you probably know more than I do, seeing as U actually have a station. Im still trying to find a TX that, I cant short out, while grounding.
 
Here is a link to a very high quality FM stereo transmitter at a great price.

http://www.edmdesign.com/features.htm

It comes in 10mw and 100mw versions. With either version you will have to attenuate the signal to keep them within Part 15 emissions levels.
 
> I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board,
> but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey
> FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from
> this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile. That
> would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an
> old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great. My
> audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,
> ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
>
I used a Ramsey FM10 and it went pretty far when grounded properly. Here are some problems with FM10 (Not sure about the other Ramseys) that have been VERY frusterating for me:

1. Hum. If you don't buy a filtered power supply it will hum very loud and that hum is very annoying. A 12V power cord bought at Radio Shack took care of most of it.

2. Drifting. This thing LOVES to drift. 101.50 was my frequency. Drift to 101.45 coverage went down. Drift to 101.55 coverage went down. It had to be on 101.50 and it would never stay put.

3. Humming came back to being loud (even with the filter) when I got the station a new computer. Out of frusteration I took the think out of its plastic case and put it in a metal one. Took all the hum away.

Biggest problem with Ramsey=drifting.


When the transmitter operates the way I want it to, it works very nice and gets out pretty well for the price. Sound quality is also pretty good. Finally I gave up on it. With all this BMI crap and the constant drifting I just shut it and my AM off going on the air only during weather reports or when I wanna listen to myself.<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>
 
> Biggest problem with Ramsey=drifting.

I run an older FM10 just around the house and always had the drift problem. It always seemed to drift the same amount at the same time of day. I began to suspect temperature. After adding a 12v muffin fan the transmitter is quite stable. If it does drift it is slight and usually during the hottest part of the day. When the sun goes behind the trees in the evening it will drift right back into place. I had considered replacing it for a long time but now I'm satisfied with it's operation. It carries the phat bass quite well.
 
Re: RAMSEY FM Transmitters I have a better choice

The EDM transmitter is an outstanding value when compared to Ramsey and others. Low harmonics and spurious emissions will reduce the chance of a visit from the FCC. The EDM is about the size of a pack of cigarettes; Antenna and audio inputs are RCA with trim pots behind the audio connectors. I have two 100-milliwatt versions, which can easily padded down to part 15 levels or feed leaky cables. The top unit priced at $127 including shipping comes with a sturdy metal case, mini switch power supply and wire antenna.
I do have a Ramsey 10A that someone gave me. I let it sit in a box for year after hearing so much about Ramsey’s fine reputation before I fired it up; I must admit I was surprised how well it covered with just a test lead wire antenna, I was able to pick it up clear about ¾ mile out using a stock 92 Crown Vic JBL radio which really surprised me, the audio quality also amazed me considering it was nothing more that a chip. I now us it to broadcast my cable DVR to analog radios around the ranch. The drift is a bit much 102.1 to 102.5 but ok for older analog radios, I would never use the Ramsey 10 in a radio station set up or put an amp of any size on it. The Ramsey FM25b would have about the same coverage as the 10 but is PLL for drift free operation.
Ramsey advantages that might slightly justify the higher cost would be great documentation and a board for those who need help with their transmitters and nice packaging. If you want a transmitter that’s going to outperform Ramsey in a small package that can be operated on 12 volts DC The EDM transmitter is the only choice. EDM also stands behind their transmitter and also performs quick turnaround service should you need it at a fair price I know as I tested them when I took out the final for the first time in my radio career.
I should mention my Ramsey 10 found it self connected to a dipole antenna at 30 feet above ground one day in a heavily treed area. The signal could be herd at our local K-MART about ¾ miles on a poor quality radio of course that’s when it happened to be centered up on 102.1.
For those who want to set up a part 15 FM station on a budget, I suggest the EDM transmitter and a Behringer UB802 or the older MX 602 mini mixer. Both include 2 XLR mic inputs and 2 stereo inputs all inputs include 3 band EQ, aux send which can be had for under $60 retail. Total cost $187 compare that to a Ramsey 100B kit priced around $269.
Part 15 FM is great for those in a trailer/RV park or apartment complex where AM signals get murdered by EMI & RFI. Now each of my Part 15 AM station locations also has a Part 15 FM transmitter operating along side it.

I have added a Part 15 FM section to the web site while it's under construction elements are being added as time permits


Steve
www.radiobrandy.com

> I'm sorry if this is a rhetorical question on this board,
> but I'm new to Part 15 and interested in using the Ramsey
> FM-25B transmitter. What can I expect, realistically, from
> this. I'd like to get out for a radius of as half-mile. That
> would suit me fine. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an
> old Gates Solid Statesman AGC and it really sounds great. My
> audio source will be computer running OTSJuke. Thoughts,
> ideas appreciated! Looking for maximum range...legally.
>
 
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