Show me your engineering smarts!

[bigdummy]

Morning folks! Have a quick question for you engineering types. Our group is looking to build a 500 watt NCE station with elevation to be around 200 feet above average terrain in the area. What kind of coverage should we expect? Also, any reccomendations on transmitters for this project?

 

[menotti1]

should have decent coverage.20 miles should be no problem, but alot of factors go into it, co-channel 1st and 2nd adjacents,type of antenna, xmtr ,exciter, processor.etc.as you see, it's a combination of factors, don't go cheap on the antenna.i suggest ERI if you can afford it...Hopefully you have a eng who can guide you in the right direction...as for a xmtr's i really like Nautel..

 

[Info-warrior]

Just to add to menotti1, don't skimp on the feedline. Cheap feedline is a reliability problem waiting to happen.

 

[K6JHU]

Hi,

Assuming you are in Kansas (or equivalent) the best you can do given the curvature of the earth is about 20 miles as indicated above. But there are so many other factors involved.

 

[TomT]

Put your money into three areas: Antenna/Feedline; transmitter; and stereo generator/processing. With a good combination of these three elements you can have a good sounding station, with good coverage, even though the entire studio is a computer with a professional sound card.

We built a 900 watt NCE station here in the hills of WV using ERI's low power antenna, works fine and saved considerable $$$ over the larger ERI antenna (Believe it is the 100 series, not the FML--rated about 500 watts per bay as I remember). Only caveat I would have is that it used coax for interbay connections, which might be a problem in areas that get a lot of ice.

We used 7/8th feedline, which is what I would recommend for your project.

The Armstrong line looks like a good choice for exciter/transmitter. Don't get something like the Broadcast Warehouse line. Nor anything with a built-in stereo generator/compressor, haven't heard any of these units that sound good.

For stereo generator/processing, I would look at the new Omnia One, or an Omnia FM3t, which you may be able to find at a discount since the "One" replaces it. The Optimod 8100 still is a respectable box, but the used market price on 8100's has been too high to justify consideration of an 8100 unless you can get a donation from someone.

Once the transmitter plant is in place, you can always upgrade studio equipment as needed. It's much more difficult to get funding to do the reverse.