Does any one know of a PC controllable Part 15 outdoor AM transmitter? This would seem to be a cool idea, but maybe I'm overlooking some problem here.
What would you like to control?
The rangemaster has an external sync computer, and most transmitters now are microprocessor controlled.
Many broadcasters use a PC for audio control.
What else would you like to manage?
Just curious...
Experimental broadcasting for a better tomorrow!
S.D.R. = Software Defined Radio 🙂
Frequency
Power Level
Antenna Tuning
Audio Gain
Limiter Level
Synch and audio delay
Remote monitoring and control of above parameters
good for multisite setups to keep them in compliance.
just a few things that come to mind.
Thank You,
Rev. Robert P. Chrysafis
Universal Life Ministries
http://www.ulc.org
Moderator Hunterdonfree
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hunterdonfree
I see the setup as having an external unit connected to a head unit in the studio.
One possibility (using a PC)...
The TX could have a full RS232 interface so that it could be mounted and then parameters such as frequency, power level, antenna tuning, audio processing etc. changed later. This would no doubt add cost. Another disadvantage would be that a PC would be needed to set up the TX.
On the other hand, some of those parameters could be redundant. The frequency would likely not have to be changed because that would have been decided earlier based on available frequencies in the broadcast area. Power level could be handled actively in the transmitter to be the FCC maximum. Local audio processing (noise gate, compression and limiting) could be changed if needed.
Another possibility (no PC)...
Using no RS232, but have a semi-type of control with tuning done remotely. The audio processing could be done at the head unit in the studio (or disabled and other external gear used).
A previous post pointed out that Actradio (previously TalkingHouse) has a patent on automatic tuning for Part 15 AM TXs, so anyone trying to do this would probably get sued sometime in the future. I still cannot believe these guys were able to get that patent through! I was just wondering what people thought about having a more sophisticated AM TX.