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Transmitter Suggestions?

C

CaptainFirstReturns

I'm thinking of getting out of netcasting and back into Part 15 (and yes, I regret selling my equipment lol)...I really can't afford much more than $50-$60. All I want to do is be able to cover the floor of the building I live in- I'm on the top floor. (If I can cover the whole building, so much the better but it's not a must). AM or FM? Ramsey or something else?

Suggestions and advice much appreciated.
 
Having just terminated my oldies webstream after 7 years I know exactly where you're coming from. While I sold a vast majority of my studio equipment I've kept and acquired some to dabble with Part 15 as well.

The closest thing I could suggest to you will cost you around $100, which is the SSTran AMT-3000 AM kit. Your legal range under FCC Part 15 is vastly better on AM as opposed to FM, which limits you legally by field strength (for the most part about 500 feet total on FM). The SSTran is a nice starter box and if you decide to dive into Part 15 on the serious side you can always save up for a Procaster or Rangemaster.

You might want to avail yourself to my Part 15 reference website, HobbyBroadcaster.net to locate equipment reviews, technical and legal reference and to communicate with others who are involved in the hobby.
 
Bill, thanks for the information and advice. One thing I forgot to mention is that my poor eyesight precludes me from being able to solder anything. Does the Sstran come only as a kit or can it be ordered assembled? If I really have to, I'll bite the bullet and drop anywhere up to $100 on a transmitter, I just want to make sure it's money not wasted.
 
CaptainFirstReturns said:
Bill, thanks for the information and advice. One thing I forgot to mention is that my poor eyesight precludes me from being able to solder anything. Does the Sstran come only as a kit or can it be ordered assembled? If I really have to, I'll bite the bullet and drop anywhere up to $100 on a transmitter, I just want to make sure it's money not wasted.
Click to expand...

Yes, the SSTran is a kit, but you can get the surface mounted chip soldered on the board for a couple of bucks more than the basic kit. Perhaps you can find someone to solder it up for you like a high school student and flip them a few bucks for the favor?
 
Hey Cap'n...

Yes, the SS Tran is a kit. It will cost you $92 (get the one with the processing chip pre-soldered) plus shipping. Do you know someone who can solder it? I'd be happy to solder it for you for free if that's legal to do (I've heard plenty about that Ryan guy who got popped for building kits for people, so I don't know). It's NOT money wasted, in my opinion. I've had a Range Master for about a year now, and I've yet to use it on a regular basis. It has no processing, but is pre-built and FCC certified. However, I don't have the required buckage for a bunch 'o' fancy, whiz-bang processing like some here do. The SS Tran, while NOT FCC certified and IS a kit, sounds like a licensed AM. You can't tell the difference. So, it depends on what's important to you (audio quality vs. FCC certification and being pre-built) and how much money you have. Plus, I haven't had any durability problems with my SS Tran, even with having it on for weeks at a time. I've found it as rugged as anything out there.

I didn't mention the Procaster because you said you have a cap of $100. The Procaster combines the pre-built, self-contained, FCC-certified mobility of a Range Master with the onboard processing of the SS Tran, but is $700. If $100 is all you have, go with the SS Tran. You'll LOVE the sound quality. I do.
 
I think it is great that once again posters on here are recommending the sstran!
Depending on the construction of your apartment building, (and living on the top floor) it very well could be that the sstran, with the supplied wire will cover your floor, and maybe more floors as well. The key is to choose the clearest frequency.

Also it is true the sstran has just about all the processing you will need using three knobs...it's an amazing tx for the price! The sound quality is amazing. It is the very reason I build the antenna/coil for it!....it's that good!

Carl
 
I'm hoping to get an SSTran to review for HobbyBroadcaster.net but all my emails to them have been ignored. It doesn't bode well for representing what their customer service must be like.
 
If you are in an apartment complex, you might want to consider FM. It will be allot easier to mount an FM antenna in an apartment, and five hundred feet should be more than enough to cover a good size complex; I was able to cover the entire Motel 6 in Mojave, plus the Oasis truck stop next door with ease; using a cheap ($1) Walkman type radio. You will find an EDM LCD with it's wire antenna will do the job with ease, but it's a bit over your budget at $170, but it's the best on the market and very easy to assemble. If you can't build it yourself; try e-bay, but avoid the transmitters from China. The FM signal will penetrate the floors and walls with ease when compared to AM, not to mention all the RF noise you will encounter in an apartment complex with computers and dimmer switches etc..
The only way streaming is viable, is when you self host and you use it to feed a network of well placed AM & FM transmitters like we do, otherwise at about $2 for a 128kb stream is a bit much, and that does not include all the fees the recording industry want!


Steve
www.radiobrandy.net
 
Bill, I can't really speak for Phil at sstran, but if you are looking for a donation in order to test the sstran, that may be the reason you didn't get a response. I'd personally be hard pressed to donate a $400 dollar antenna unit for a test report (especially because they can't be resold afterwards). I wonder if Keith would be willing to donate a $2000 Rangemaster for the same purpose?

The sstran is successful because it does the basic same thing as a Rangemaster, and then at a cost of about 25% of the Rangemaster; yes it is a little more work, but that is what saves the money: all important in these hard ecomomic times, especially if you want to get on the air.
Carl
 
I had only made a general inquiry about the product a couple of times and hadn't received any response at all. To me this doesn't sit well for anybody who is about to spend any money on any product, be it a $100 or a $1000 product.

While I can't go into specifics regarding how particular vendors work with me on the HobbyBroadcaster.net web site I can say that I have had vendors offer equipment on loan at no cost for evaluation purposes. I have also had vendors give significant discounts for evaluation gear as well (and, by the way, these factors do not pose any affect on whether a product gets a good review or not as the product is judged on its own merit). I also have vendors who have agreed to donate product for use in long-term testing as they realize that this is the best advertising they can receive for their market audience.

I have had some great feedback from vendors regarding the site and have even turned away a couple of advertisers since their products weren't Part 15 compliant by any means. I want to provide a quality resource for those folks looking to get involved with Part 15 microcasting.
 
That's very interesting Bill!
And good information.
I'm hoping your website grows, because part 15 can use a good website dedicated to the craft.
 
Bill DeFelice said:
I'm hoping to get an SSTran to review for HobbyBroadcaster.net but all my emails to them have been ignored. It doesn't bode well for representing what their customer service must be like.
Click to expand...

I have gotten a number of requests for fee kits for evaluation over the years, and have happily suppied them. I just did a search of my emails over the last 2 years and didn't see anything for "reviw" or "evaluation" from Bill DeFelice. I recognize that such a search may have missed miss something.

But, more importantly, after being in business since 2003, additional reviews are much less valuable than they were during the startup phase. If I did not respond to a valid and detailed request for an evaluation unit, I apologize. Most recently I replied to and turned down a request for a free kit from an individual who was proposing a review to be posted on YouTube.com. I did not see the value in this.

I'm sure that other long time Part 15 transmitter vendors like Rangemaster would also decline requests for a review when the product has already been reviewed and is well accepted in the marketplace.

Phil Bolyn
SSTRAN
 
While some equipment vendors has supplied free equipment for use, some have offered discounted or loaner equipment for review and evaluation purposes. Some are even supplying equipment for long-term testing and such equipment will have updated reviews and the equipment ages.

I suppose it's all in how you perceive the value of a review. If you perceive a review from an audience targeted web site or publication that focuses on the technical merits of products as being less valuable to your sales or marketing that's a decision you have to ultimately make.

I know I have received great feedback from many vendors - even from those folks who do not market equipment or supplies specifically to Part 15 hobbyist market! These folks have expressed with interest their offer to submit their products for evaluation. I know many vendors see the value in what my site has to offer to those who would be interested in this technology.
 
I would think a trade out with Bill's website would be well worth it for Phil of Sstran, and others. I know the Radio Brandy part 15 AM website sends allot of traffic to several vender's based on the feedback I have gotten from them. I have also gotten allot of feedback from those who have purchased equipment they saw on the website, I know one group ended up buying transmitters buy the dozens from one supplier. I realize Phil would be out of business if he gave transmitters out to everyone that asked to review one, but sites like Radio Brandy, Hobby Broadcaster and Part15.us will drive traffic and customers looking for transmitters and other radio equipment.

I know for a fact that Radio Brandy has sent business Phil's way because I get the feedback from happy customers who have purchased transmitters from him and coils from Carl. I know one guy bought one Sstran for each of his kids and loves them, he also bought a Rangemaster for himself. The Sstran still has a place on the market for those who want to learn how to build a transmitter or can't afford to spend the money on the Procaster or Rangemaster yet.

One thing I have found from users of our sites is they feel better about ordering a transmitter when they read honest reviews on several sites supporting a product. Radio Brandy will take advertising or trade outs from non part 15 transmitter suppliers because people come from all over the world to our site looking for information, low power transmitting is legal in many countries.

Radio Brandy and Part15.us are already well placed on Google and Yahoo, and www.HobbyBroadcaster.net is coming up fast. New people are coming to hobby broadcasting everyday, and visitors to our sites are growing everyday from all over the country. Our websites each target a different segment of broadcasting, Hobby Broadcaster and Part15.us target mainly part 15 AM, while Radio Brandy focus is more on the program & studio side. We like to educate others where each transmitter AM or FM is the best fit, sometimes the Procaster is the answer, while for others the Rangemaster is the way to go. The Sstran works well when you have to keep a low profile with Carl's antenna close to the ground, and FM works best in MDU's like apartment & condo complexes.

If you want to sell transmitters you have to advertise them!


Steve
www.radiobrandy.net
 
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