It is my opinion that not enough time has been spent on STLs. For instance, what if...
Someone built a studio to transmitter link that was part 15 compliant and DIDN'T cost $2,000. If someone built an STL that could go a mile or two and only costed a few hundred grand, the part 15 world would really come to life. Telephone company aside, someone like the gang at SSTran or Rangemaster should look into some supplimental income and build us a way to send our audio... and synch in the case of Rangemaster to the many transmitters we have in the field. Get it certified and you'll see a new industry!
It is my opinion that not enough time has been spent on STLs. For instance, what if...
Someone built a studio to transmitter link that was part 15 compliant and DIDN'T cost $2,000. If someone built an STL that could go a mile or two and only costed a few hundred grand, the part 15 world would really come to life. Telephone company aside, someone like the gang at SSTran or Rangemaster should look into some supplimental income and build us a way to send our audio... and synch in the case of Rangemaster to the many transmitters we have in the field. Get it certified and you'll see a new industry!
As you may know, IBOC (or IBAC/HD Radio) is coming for terrestrial radio. When it gets here, will we still be broadcasting in analog? Knowing that Ibiquity would charge us SOMETHING for the priviledge of broadcasting in digital, wouldn't it be nice if someone were working on this for part 15?
Finally, after spending 2000-3000 for 4 Innovonics 222 processors... soley for the asymetrical modulation it does (positive peaks), why hasn't anyone thought of building a simple circuit that would do this with standard processing. Here's the problem, you need something like a 222 at every transmitter to get positive peaks going. When you have as many transmitters as I do and you're looking to add more (Rangemasters only), it gets rather expensive. A $100 box per transmitter would be more like it. Can anyone think about a circuit they could share with us to do it?
STLs, Processing, IBOC & more. Shouldn't someone be thinking about this stuff?
Why hasn't anyone bult the perfect antenna and ground system kit for us? I use the standard Radio Shack CB whip that Rangemaster recommends... I get about a half mile per transmitter.
Thank you I'll get off my soapbox now.
Dave
Surfside 1640 Radio
www.Surfside1640.com
I recently came across this WiFi audio sender/receiver pair http://www.aqdab.com/store/en/view_product/41/2094/ on an English website.
At first glance, I would think that these could be used with either a yagi or a dish antenna to make a very inexpensive STL for Part 15 use. I can't tell from the pictures whether the rubber duck antennas are removeable or not. If not, that could be easily remedied. People are using cheap WiFi LAN gear with directional antennas and getting several miles. If these audio units are of comparable design and power, they should do the same.
I am curious as to whether these units can be locked to a particular channel and whether they support encryption. I emailed the vendor, but have had no response so far.
I don't know the exact exchange rate, but a pair of these should run about $60-$70. Total cost, including external antennas should be under $300. I'm not in need of an STL quite yet, but if anyone tries a set of these, please tell us about it.
That may work. I am also intriqued by some of the "video senders" at www.supercircuits.com - one of them claims to make a mile, but I am suspect of "1 mile line of site" as many of these claims are not true.
I assume you could probably send the crystal synch via the video channel. no?
How does one set up a wireless LAN? Is it expensive?
I think you can get better range if your signal is digital.
I need about 2 miles per unit to match my Rangemaster spacing...
DigitalAudioTracks.com
Part 15 IDs for just $200
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I know every Part 15 broadcaster is operating on a shoestring budget, but consider the systems from Trango Broadband. The Falcon (2.4 GHz) and the Eagle (5.8 GHZ) systems. They provide good range because of the very high gain receive antennas available. These systems are not cheap. However, if you need remote site control, stereo audio or even video, these systems are the ticket. Check them out. A U.S. dealer would be Erickson Broadcast Supply, Madras, Oregon.
http://www.trangobroadband.com/
Marshall Johnson, Sr.
Senior Pastor, President
Rhema Christian Fellowship, Inc.
Rhema Radio - The Word In Worship
AM 1660 - FM 101.3
http://www.rhemaradio.org