MW/AM Transmitters?

[cc333]

I'm not quite sure where to post this, so here it goes for now....

I'm considering getting a Hamilton AM1000 Rangemaster for my Part 15 hobby station, but $1,000 is a lot. I can afford it now, after months of saving, but I'm wondering if the Procaster or any other thing would be equal, at a lower price?

I have one of those ASMAX2 transmitters now, but it's the EU-specced version with 600mW, which is not legal. I could simply get another one of those specced to be FCC Part 15 compliant, but I thought maybe one of these package deals that include everything prebuilt and ready to go might be better in the long run to avoid FCC trouble?

Thanks!

c

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I'm not quite sure where to post this, so here it goes for now....

I'm considering getting a Hamilton AM1000 Rangemaster for my Part 15 hobby station, but $1,000 is a lot. I can afford it now, after months of saving, but I'm wondering if the Procaster or any other thing would be equal, at a lower price?

I have one of those ASMAX2 transmitters now, but it's the EU-specced version with 600mW, which is not legal. I could simply get another one of those specced to be FCC Part 15 compliant, but I thought maybe one of these package deals that include everything prebuilt and ready to go might be better in the long run to avoid FCC trouble?

Thanks!

c

If you want to be FCC compliant save $950 and either make one or buy the cheapest 100 milliwatt kit you can find. Then adhere to the antenna limitations. You are not going to get further than a few hundred feet complying with rules.

 

[cc333]

If you want to be FCC compliant save $950 and either make one or buy the cheapest 100 milliwatt kit you can find. Then adhere to the antenna limitations. You are not going to get further than a few hundred feet complying with rules.

Fair enough. I find the AM1000 appealing in that it is capable of a range of about a mile, yet is FCC certified, and thus is a legal way of obtaining ranges that aren't normally allowed under Part 15 rules, which, as you say, ordinarily only allow for a few hundred feet of legal range if strictly followed. I posted here, however, because I thought there might be another certified transmitter that legally provides a similar range at a somewhat lower price.

I am going to consider what you said, though. I have the money and set it aside specifically for this purpose, but I am tempted to perhaps invest some of it in improving my current setup instead and then save the rest.

c

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

The AM1000 seems to be a very well engineered product and if used for simulcasting, would certainly need to be of high standards. The manual is well written. I would point to 15.219(b) above as a potential pitfall as the antenna furnished is already close to that limit. That brings up the issue of the mounting pole and the ground lead. This is where the FCC hammered one broadcaster in the PNW who was getting terrific range. Hamilton/RangeMaster recommends buried radial to increase conductivity of the ground and to avoid radials above ground which can be considered a radiating element. But it still leaves you with the mounting pole and ground lead as part of the 9 meters allotted.

 

[N8ves]

I bought two of those cheap Chinese kits. Wrote up better detailed instructions for it. It's not sold as a Part 15 device. 400 mW. Can be adjusted to 100 mW. I use a ten foot section of RG58 into a my 50 ohm dummy load. I connected the braid to the antenna terminal and inner to ground. Covers the whole house from the basement. About 50 radial feet. I'm happy. My vintage radios sound good now that I have music to play on them.

Building an antenna now for it using a 10 foot section of 1 1/4 inch copper pipe. Got a section of 4 Inch pvc for the loading coil. Havent wound the coil for it yet. I do have a three inch diameter coil with taps on it for tuning it. Too cold outside to set it up. As for radials, I'll bury mine just under the soil. Thinking of top loading it with a capacitance hat. Springtime project.....