We though it may be of interest to your readers that we will be making our LED Classic FM transmitter kit available in a 1mW/10mW option as from next week, 2/16/08.
We though it may be of interest to your readers that we will be making our LED Classic FM transmitter kit available in a 1mW/10mW option as from next week, 2/16/08.
Basically you will be able to flip a small switch on the pcb and limit power to 0dBm or 10dBm.
We feel that this should bring the transmit range more inline to that allowed to users in the USA and Canada under part 15 rules. Price shipped around $120
This includes pcb, enclosure and psu.
Our new EDM-TX-LCD transmitters are doing very well and have received excellent reviews from various other Radio boards and customer letters.
This is a very high performance (SNR hitting the 80dB mark) unit in the audiophile class which will also be evident by comparing the specifications on our site, www.edmdesign.com under "Specs"
This unit has fully adjustable power levels in two ranges (1-10mW), (2-100mW) by means of an onboard pot, as shown above.
Thank you for your time and keep up the good work on your site.
Best Regards - Stefan
EDM Sales Team
Artisan Radio is the equivalent of a Part 15 low power FM station in Canada (a Low Power Announce System in Industry Canada terminology). These transmitters fall under the radio broadcasting circulars BETS-1 (general guidelines) and BETS-5/6 (one is for FM, the other AM, I can never remember which one is which).
I was told by Industry Canada representatives when I was first setting up that unless a transmitter is approved for such a use in Canada (and there aren't that many - we use a Decade MS-100), then you can't use it. So unless the EDM transmitter has this certification, you're taking your chances if you use it in Canada.
Artisan Radio is the equivalent of a Part 15 low power FM station in Canada (a Low Power Announce System in Industry Canada terminology). These transmitters fall under the radio broadcasting circulars BETS-1 (general guidelines) and BETS-5/6 (one is for FM, the other AM, I can never remember which one is which).
I was told by Industry Canada representatives when I was first setting up that unless a transmitter is approved for such a use in Canada (and there aren't that many - we use a Decade MS-100), then you can't use it. So unless the EDM transmitter has this certification, you're taking your chances if you use it in Canada.
Radio Brandy has posted a review, specs and pictures of EDM's new LCD transmitter which is a true audio file FM transmitter. This transmitter is outstanding in every way.
http://radiobrandy.com/Transmitters.html
Steve
Radio Brandy
Radio Brandy has posted a review, specs and pictures of EDM's new LCD transmitter which is a true audio file FM transmitter. This transmitter is outstanding in every way.
http://radiobrandy.com/Transmitters.html
Steve
Radio Brandy
it's the same here in the USA. FM Transmitters must be Type Certified. there is no way around it. if your cought even slightly over power in the US and using an uncertified transmitter, you have a better chance at getting hit with a NOUO, or NAL.
if you have an unmodified type certified tx then your chances get better that you'll be hit with just a NOV as opposed to something more serious.
Thank You,
Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis
Universal Life Ministries
http://www.ulc.org
Moderator Hunterdonfree
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hunterdonfree
it's the same here in the USA. FM Transmitters must be Type Certified. there is no way around it. if your cought even slightly over power in the US and using an uncertified transmitter, you have a better chance at getting hit with a NOUO, or NAL.
if you have an unmodified type certified tx then your chances get better that you'll be hit with just a NOV as opposed to something more serious.
Thank You,
Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis
Universal Life Ministries
http://www.ulc.org
Moderator Hunterdonfree
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hunterdonfree
In the US, you can legally operate a part15 transmitter that is either certified or not certified. Only FCC certified transmitters can be sold fully assembled, but the the other (non certified transmitters) can only be sold as KITS requiring assembling and some soldering. I thing the intent is to made it hard so the massed don't go out and trash the airwaves buying cheap and/or powerful transmitters sold at walmart.
The responsibility to operate within part15 regulations is up to the user using it.
So you can buy a FCC part15 certified transmitter and then operate it illegally (say using a better antenna) ... and you can operate a non-FCC certified (kit) transmitter legally.
So it is really is about 'how you operate the unit', the type of antenna used and the power transmitted at range beyond 200' that determines whether you are operating legally or not. Obviously, if your coming in loud and clear 4 blocks away -- your not part15 compliant. If you broadcasting over another station that is clearly recieved in your area, your also in violation most likely. If the FCC finds that you managed to take an FCC approved transmitter and get it to go file 1 mile, that won't be ok just because its FCC certified. Clearly they will have an idea that you tweaked it out and need to be shut down.
If you bought an FCC approved transmitter and operated from the window in a 53rd floor of a skyscraper and transmitted over 3/4 mile ... thats still not ok or part15 compliant. If you operate it from the group floor of a residential home and from indoors, yeah, you'll probably be fine.
I get tired of reading misleading messages that infer that buying a FCC approved transmitter automatically means you'll automatically be operating part15 compliant. Yes, probably ... if you don't modify it or use anything besides the included (whip / short wire) antenna ... and choose a good fequency and location.
And likewise, non-FCC certified units are probably more likely to be operated in violation of part15 ... but not necessarily.
Many of the better ones, like EDM and RAMSEY allow you to adjust the power via a switch or a switch and/or dial. Those are even better than many part15 transmitters, because you can turn down the power till you are staying within the acceptable range for part15. If a part15 transmitter went 4 blocks, then you'd be looking at tweaking your antenna and/or antenna location (to be worse).
The antenna orientation, location and type used can allow even a 25mW transmitter to be operated properly.
The modifications EDM made to the LED are nice because you can operate it as either 1mW or 10mW ... and the 1mW with a whip antenna is going to be very likely to be part15 compliant ... but its still up to the operator to operate is responsibly and check for part15 violations to the best of their ability.
I believe most FCC certified transmitters are only 10mW or less. So the EDM LED with a 10 or 1 mw option gives more flexibility than an FCC transmitter (i.e. panaxis ACC100) with only 10mW only.
In the US, you can legally operate a part15 transmitter that is either certified or not certified. Only FCC certified transmitters can be sold fully assembled, but the the other (non certified transmitters) can only be sold as KITS requiring assembling and some soldering. I thing the intent is to made it hard so the massed don't go out and trash the airwaves buying cheap and/or powerful transmitters sold at walmart.
The responsibility to operate within part15 regulations is up to the user using it.
So you can buy a FCC part15 certified transmitter and then operate it illegally (say using a better antenna) ... and you can operate a non-FCC certified (kit) transmitter legally.
So it is really is about 'how you operate the unit', the type of antenna used and the power transmitted at range beyond 200' that determines whether you are operating legally or not. Obviously, if your coming in loud and clear 4 blocks away -- your not part15 compliant. If you broadcasting over another station that is clearly recieved in your area, your also in violation most likely. If the FCC finds that you managed to take an FCC approved transmitter and get it to go file 1 mile, that won't be ok just because its FCC certified. Clearly they will have an idea that you tweaked it out and need to be shut down.
If you bought an FCC approved transmitter and operated from the window in a 53rd floor of a skyscraper and transmitted over 3/4 mile ... thats still not ok or part15 compliant. If you operate it from the group floor of a residential home and from indoors, yeah, you'll probably be fine.
I get tired of reading misleading messages that infer that buying a FCC approved transmitter automatically means you'll automatically be operating part15 compliant. Yes, probably ... if you don't modify it or use anything besides the included (whip / short wire) antenna ... and choose a good fequency and location.
And likewise, non-FCC certified units are probably more likely to be operated in violation of part15 ... but not necessarily.
Many of the better ones, like EDM and RAMSEY allow you to adjust the power via a switch or a switch and/or dial. Those are even better than many part15 transmitters, because you can turn down the power till you are staying within the acceptable range for part15. If a part15 transmitter went 4 blocks, then you'd be looking at tweaking your antenna and/or antenna location (to be worse).
The antenna orientation, location and type used can allow even a 25mW transmitter to be operated properly.
The modifications EDM made to the LED are nice because you can operate it as either 1mW or 10mW ... and the 1mW with a whip antenna is going to be very likely to be part15 compliant ... but its still up to the operator to operate is responsibly and check for part15 violations to the best of their ability.
I believe most FCC certified transmitters are only 10mW or less. So the EDM LED with a 10 or 1 mw option gives more flexibility than an FCC transmitter (i.e. panaxis ACC100) with only 10mW only.
taybrynn wrote: If you bought an FCC approved transmitter and operated from the window in a 53rd floor of a skyscraper and transmitted over 3/4 mile ... thats still not ok or part15 compliant.
Part 15 FM has no restriction on transmit antenna height. The only antenna requirement is that the peak field radiated from it cannot exceed 250 µV/m in any direction 3 meters away (AS INSTALLED). The big issue with this is in accurately knowing what field strength is present there, including reflections from re-radiating conductors and surfaces near the antenna.
Only 11.43 nanowatts of power radiated from a linear, 1/2-wave dipole in free space produces the peak Part 15 FM field, so most "Part 15" FM transmitters are massively overpowered. Even 1 milliwatt of transmitter output power is way too much, unless the antenna radiates almost none of it.
For Part 15 AM systems installed on skyscrapers please see my following comments.
I get tired of reading misleading messages that infer that buying a FCC approved transmitter automatically means you'll automatically be operating part15 compliant. Yes, probably ... if you don't modify it or use anything besides the included (whip / short wire) antenna ... and choose a good fequency and location.
But note that any other conductors leading away from a Part 15 AM transmitter with its stock "whip" antenna also become part of the radiating structure of the antenna system, unless they are de-coupled for r-f current. So a Part 15 certified AM transmitter mounted 15-20 feet above the earth, and using a combined "ground lead" and "massive ground wire" or metal mast or building steel connecting to a buried r-f ground is technically non-compliant, although many seem to operate this way -- with only occasional FCC notice/action.
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taybrynn wrote: If you bought an FCC approved transmitter and operated from the window in a 53rd floor of a skyscraper and transmitted over 3/4 mile ... thats still not ok or part15 compliant.
Part 15 FM has no restriction on transmit antenna height. The only antenna requirement is that the peak field radiated from it cannot exceed 250 µV/m in any direction 3 meters away (AS INSTALLED). The big issue with this is in accurately knowing what field strength is present there, including reflections from re-radiating conductors and surfaces near the antenna.
Only 11.43 nanowatts of power radiated from a linear, 1/2-wave dipole in free space produces the peak Part 15 FM field, so most "Part 15" FM transmitters are massively overpowered. Even 1 milliwatt of transmitter output power is way too much, unless the antenna radiates almost none of it.
For Part 15 AM systems installed on skyscrapers please see my following comments.
I get tired of reading misleading messages that infer that buying a FCC approved transmitter automatically means you'll automatically be operating part15 compliant. Yes, probably ... if you don't modify it or use anything besides the included (whip / short wire) antenna ... and choose a good fequency and location.
But note that any other conductors leading away from a Part 15 AM transmitter with its stock "whip" antenna also become part of the radiating structure of the antenna system, unless they are de-coupled for r-f current. So a Part 15 certified AM transmitter mounted 15-20 feet above the earth, and using a combined "ground lead" and "massive ground wire" or metal mast or building steel connecting to a buried r-f ground is technically non-compliant, although many seem to operate this way -- with only occasional FCC notice/action.
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