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Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: baddawg on May 28, 2010,

Title: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: baddawg on May 28, 2010,
Just wondering... being a newbee and all... I don't see anything on the DIY boards about broadcasting music via FM radio.  Do we not have a DIY way to do that??  Or, are we not allowed to talk about that kind of stuff?
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: WWNF911 on May 29, 2010,
sometimes its easier not to have to reinvent the wheel.  ;)

Take a look on ebay for FM transmitter. Either .25 or .33 watt. Something like that should be plenty of power. There have been Designs over at DIYC for DIY xmitters if you really want to go that path.
Good luck  :)

Leon
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: WWNF911 on May 29, 2010,
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sometimes its easier not to have to reinvent the wheel.  ;)

Take a look on ebay for FM transmitter. Either .25 or .33 watt. Something like that should be plenty of power. There have been Designs over at DIYC for DIY xmitters if you really want to go that path.
Good luck  :)

Leon

Might also be listed as 200 or 300mw (milli watt)
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: rm357 on May 29, 2010,
Several thoughts - if you don't want to run into trouble with the FCC

- 200-300 milliwatts - that seems like a lot of power just cover a block or two...
- if it not a kit of some sort, it is probably illegal - legal limits for finished products are only enough output for a 10 Meter range - usually in the microwatts range
- be sure to find a clear frequency. Complaints of interference could cause the FCC to visit your neighborhood...
- the FCC radiated energy limits for FM transmissions is in uV/m, which can only be related directly to watts for a specific antenna...

Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: bisquit476 on May 29, 2010,
The Lynx Conductor is supposed to have that capability.
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: tbone321 on May 29, 2010,
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The Lynx Conductor is supposed to have that capability.

But it is not yet completed.  I hope that RJ will have the time to do so and arrange a coop before the holiday season but if not, then other means have to be looked at and this is the best time to do so.  I can say that a speaker is not an option in my area.
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: foodseller on May 29, 2010,
I run a Belkin Tunecaster II with the mod that can be found with a google search.  I place the antenna in my window and get upwards of 600 feet in transmission distance in all directions.  However, it is somewhat prone to wander the FM modulation bands. 
Having said that it is a decent substitute and I am very anxious to  see more information on the Conductor as I would love to have it all in one neat package!

Foody
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: RJ on May 29, 2010,
Conductor will not make it this year. I am leaving the country for 6 weeks this year so it will get finished after that and there will not be time to beta and such.

RJ
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: dmaccole on May 30, 2010,
RJ:

Thanks for the heads-up on the Conductor. We all want you to do it right, so it's best that it be pushed back to 2011.

To the OP, here's a DIY FM transmitter that costs about $60 to build:

http://www.mikeyancey.com/FM-Stereo-Broadcaster.php

I have yet to build this project, but a number of people who have posted around the Web say it works great.

YMMV.

\dmc
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: jsalz on May 30, 2010,
i got a
PCIMAX3000+ 1W
RDS daughter board v3.0
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/3000-stereo-transmitter-card-p-1664.html

and a
PCS-0210 Single Circular Dipole
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/pcs0210-single-circular-dipole-p-1103.html
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: trekster on May 30, 2010,
I bought a 500MW for $61.  It comes with a power supply and a small 10" whip antenna.  I used it inside the house and it was good for a block in all directions.  Great sound and easy to set up.

http://www.elecsky.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=7

Ron
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: RJ on May 30, 2010,
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Want to really get out?  How about 7 WATTS!  http://www.elecsky.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=18
Ron

And when the FCC guy shows up give him a copy of this post and Rons address!  <yk..

RJ
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: cpnbnanamn on May 31, 2010,
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RJ:

Thanks for the heads-up on the Conductor. We all want you to do it right, so it's best that it be pushed back to 2011.

To the OP, here's a DIY FM transmitter that costs about $60 to build:

http://www.mikeyancey.com/FM-Stereo-Broadcaster.php

I have yet to build this project, but a number of people who have posted around the Web say it works great.

YMMV.

\dmc


I would LOVE to do this one, but programming the Arduino, frankly worries me.  Is there a simplfied beginner's way to do this, or should I just stick to a Ramsey or something?

-Roger
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: KeithTarpley on May 31, 2010,
Greetings,,,

If they are giving you the program for the Arduino, then it's about the same as flashing firmware for  a pic, just a different system.  But if you don't want another learning curve, and all that, then stay with what is more readily out there.  Like all of diy, you have to decide which things to spend time on.

Keith
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: dmaccole on May 31, 2010,
Yes, Keith is correct, it's just like burning any other microcontroller.

For grins, I just loaded the application into an Arduino. First, I opened the code in a browser, defined all and cut. Then I plugged the Arduino device into the USB port of my computer and launched the Arduino application. I clicked on the opening screen, did a paste and then pushed the button marked "upload."

About 30 seconds later it said, "Done."

Of all the steps in building one of these, the programming seems to me to be the least difficult.

YMMV.

\dmc
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: cpnbnanamn on May 31, 2010,
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Yes, Keith is correct, it's just like burning any other microcontroller.

For grins, I just loaded the application into an Arduino. First, I opened the code in a browser, defined all and cut. Then I plugged the Arduino device into the USB port of my computer and launched the Arduino application. I clicked on the opening screen, did a paste and then pushed the button marked "upload."

About 30 seconds later it said, "Done."

Of all the steps in building one of these, the programming seems to me to be the least difficult.

YMMV.

\dmc

Doesn't sound that hard...  I've built harder configs for large networking gear than that... I like the concept of building one like that.  and I have an OK electronic background, but since my expertise is more in networking, some of the terms and processes escape me.

-Roger
Title: Re: Radio Broadcast Eqipment
Post by: magic8192 on June 01, 2010,
I am using the EDM transmitter.  It gets the job done. 
http://www.edmdesign.com/index.html