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stl exciter which one?
- Thread starter bil34
- Start date
??STL exciter? There are studio-to-transmitter links, which were originally radio links up in the high UHF/microwave range used to relay programming from the studio to the transmitting tower. I am familiar with the Armstrong brand STL, which I believe may be made by RVR, and appears to be a decent unit. "STL" has also been appropriated to described digital systems which may use terrestrial connections~telephone lines, instead of a radio connection.
Then there are FM exciters, which are complete, but low powered, FM transmitters in one box. Run in power from 10~30 watts to as much as 300 watts. Above that level, the "exciter" is usually a separate box from the transmitter, which is really nothing more than a power amplifier without any of the circuitry needed to create the FM signal. Hence an "exciter" is needed to provide the RF excitation that is then amplified for higher power broadcast.
I think the RVR blue is actually an FM exciter. I have an Armstrong exciter, which I believe is also made by RVR, which seems to work fairly well. It is a two rack unit device, which I believe is different from the RVR Blue, which I believe is a single rack unit.
Many exciters sold for the European market seem to include FM stereo generators; some of these exciters have no provision for an external stereo generator. (An older Broadcast Warehouse exciter comes to mind). Have not been impressed by these combined units. My preference would be for models with just the composite stereo input used with an external audio processor stereo generator.
Particular models? Well, as mentioned, I have the Armstrong FM exciter, which looks like the RVR TEX LCD series (how identical it is I don't know). The Armstrong seems reliable for the price. I also have a Broadcast Electronics--BE--FX-50 on another transmitter, which is also a good exciter. Believe BE still makes the FX-50 model.
Determine how much power you need for your application first--I need the FX 50 on our 2500 watt Nautel because it needs 40 watts to drive it; while the Armstrong is used with a 10,000 watt transmitter that only requires about 12 watts of drive. Also, if you are using the exciter on a low powered station, make sure that the model chosen has a low-pass filter built in to avoid interference to other services. Many exciters are designed both as stand-alone transmitters and to drive final power amplifiers; but some are designed only to be used with a complete transmitter system and lack the required harmonic filtering.
Then I would look at these factors:
1. Is the exciter type-accepted by the US FCC and European CCIR/ETSI standards organization?
2. I would avoid those exciters with built in stereo generators;
3. Reputation of the manufacturer for quality and service;
4. Availability of parts to your location.
Then there are FM exciters, which are complete, but low powered, FM transmitters in one box. Run in power from 10~30 watts to as much as 300 watts. Above that level, the "exciter" is usually a separate box from the transmitter, which is really nothing more than a power amplifier without any of the circuitry needed to create the FM signal. Hence an "exciter" is needed to provide the RF excitation that is then amplified for higher power broadcast.
I think the RVR blue is actually an FM exciter. I have an Armstrong exciter, which I believe is also made by RVR, which seems to work fairly well. It is a two rack unit device, which I believe is different from the RVR Blue, which I believe is a single rack unit.
Many exciters sold for the European market seem to include FM stereo generators; some of these exciters have no provision for an external stereo generator. (An older Broadcast Warehouse exciter comes to mind). Have not been impressed by these combined units. My preference would be for models with just the composite stereo input used with an external audio processor stereo generator.
Particular models? Well, as mentioned, I have the Armstrong FM exciter, which looks like the RVR TEX LCD series (how identical it is I don't know). The Armstrong seems reliable for the price. I also have a Broadcast Electronics--BE--FX-50 on another transmitter, which is also a good exciter. Believe BE still makes the FX-50 model.
Determine how much power you need for your application first--I need the FX 50 on our 2500 watt Nautel because it needs 40 watts to drive it; while the Armstrong is used with a 10,000 watt transmitter that only requires about 12 watts of drive. Also, if you are using the exciter on a low powered station, make sure that the model chosen has a low-pass filter built in to avoid interference to other services. Many exciters are designed both as stand-alone transmitters and to drive final power amplifiers; but some are designed only to be used with a complete transmitter system and lack the required harmonic filtering.
Then I would look at these factors:
1. Is the exciter type-accepted by the US FCC and European CCIR/ETSI standards organization?
2. I would avoid those exciters with built in stereo generators;
3. Reputation of the manufacturer for quality and service;
4. Availability of parts to your location.
The RVR "Blues 30" is an FM exciter that can be used as a small transmitter. It is capable of 30+ watts. It contains an FM stereo generator and simple audio limiter/clipper, which you do not have to use. The stereo generator is a handy fall-back, and sounds decent. It also has appropriate MPX and SCA inputs so you can connect it up about any way you want. I have one that has been in service for nearly three years, and it has been fine. RVR has offices in the USA, and is easy enough to find. They make a lot of RF equipment for a variety of people. Some is sold under their own name, some is not.
Since it is frequency agile, it would be handy to have one as a back-up for many applications. Being just one rack space, it is light and easy to carry around.
The Blues 30 appears to be identical to a vision that was sold under the Bext name. They have recently updated the Bext version, so it no longer looks the same. I think the new Bext replacement is capable of 50 watts instead of 30. (I could be wrong about that).
Since it is frequency agile, it would be handy to have one as a back-up for many applications. Being just one rack space, it is light and easy to carry around.
The Blues 30 appears to be identical to a vision that was sold under the Bext name. They have recently updated the Bext version, so it no longer looks the same. I think the new Bext replacement is capable of 50 watts instead of 30. (I could be wrong about that).
I'll second that.Sgeirk said:dollar for dollar, I think Bext puts out some very good stuff.
A 25 to thirty watt exciter should be entirely adequate to drive a one kilowatt transmitter. The TEX-30 made by RVR looks very similar to the Armstrong 30 watt exciter I have (made by RVR for Armstrong, and rebranded), which was about $1800 US or about 1200 Euro at the current exchange rates. See this link:
http://www.rvr.it/fm-exciters-tex-lcd-30_300.php
The Armstrong does not have the built in stereo generator, and, of course, US power connections. You might contact RVR directly to see if they offer a model without the stereo generator that will accept a composite stereo signal from your audio processor.
As mentioned, the BEXT exciter is a nice unit, also sold for about $1800 US. It, too, is made in Europe (Italy, I've heard),but I do not know who makes the unit for BEXT. Another manufacturer that sells here is OMB, a Spanish company. They have a 30 exciter for about $1800 US as well. I haven't worked with the OMB, though.
All of these exciters are "American style," designed to be used with an external stereo generator/processor. Since many of these exciters have a "universal" style switching power supply that will run on 240 volt mains supply, as well as 110, you may be able to buy a USA export model from one of these European manufacturers for less than the European model with the included stereo generator you don't need.
http://www.rvr.it/fm-exciters-tex-lcd-30_300.php
The Armstrong does not have the built in stereo generator, and, of course, US power connections. You might contact RVR directly to see if they offer a model without the stereo generator that will accept a composite stereo signal from your audio processor.
As mentioned, the BEXT exciter is a nice unit, also sold for about $1800 US. It, too, is made in Europe (Italy, I've heard),but I do not know who makes the unit for BEXT. Another manufacturer that sells here is OMB, a Spanish company. They have a 30 exciter for about $1800 US as well. I haven't worked with the OMB, though.
All of these exciters are "American style," designed to be used with an external stereo generator/processor. Since many of these exciters have a "universal" style switching power supply that will run on 240 volt mains supply, as well as 110, you may be able to buy a USA export model from one of these European manufacturers for less than the European model with the included stereo generator you don't need.
The RVR TEX-30 is a very good piece of equipment, regardless of whose name is on it. You might also want to check out Broadcast Warehouse. They make high quality products at very attractive prices. I believe you can even buy just the circuit board and put it in your own enclosure. BW does OEM for lots of companies.
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