Radio peoples-Has anybody ever come to a solid conclusion on how to open up the audio response on the talking House 5 standard version? I have read all the prior posts on this and there seems to be some contradiction on parts (C 301?) and what to use. I’m just curious as it would be nice to have a final conclusion with what parts to use and with pictures of the board so a person would know exactly where to put the part replacements that would really make a difference in performance - if possible.
I use TH 5 units here and for all practical purposes they sound fine with an added low end boost using a Radio Shack EQ but they still don’t sound like a broadcast station either.
I’m sure cost of transmitters between a commercial grade transmitter for broadcast use, and TH may have something to do with it!
On the upper audio end transmitting using a TH 5 and using a crystal detector tuner to receive the signal, the TH 5s are crystal clear and sound as good as FM.
I’ve seen several schematics of the TH 5 and early versions on line and try to find parts layouts, but it appears there were many revisions with time it’s hard to tell what is what on the actual chassis a person has in front of them.
Radio Joe
"I’m sure cost of transmitters between a commercial grade transmitter for broadcast use, and TH may have something to do with it!"
Well Joe, if you look at the SSTRAN (or SpitFire) you can see that is not true. Talking House originally designed the things for Real Estate. I think they designed it for speech only. They did NOT want people buying these to broadcast. It was difficult to buy one back then. If you were not a Real Estate company, they would not talk to you.
I bought my first one on eBay back then, a THII. I called them to order an ATU unit. When I said who I was, they told me never to call again, and hung up on me! Yikes. And The i.AM.radio Company will not tell you the modifications they made. So yeah. We need this.
Ya know, of all the AM transmitters I have had, the Talking House covered a clean half mile of city grade signal with just the wire hanging out my second floor window overlooking downtown. I'm up on a hill. With the audio sounding like a telephone though...that's a deal-breaker.
With Hi-Fi audio, the Talking House is a little powerbox! With the external ATU? That would be EPIC! Thing is, I have had three. They all burned out...in some way.
Doug
"And The i.AM.radio Company will not tell you the modifications they made. So yeah. We need this."
Go to the Part 15 site on FB. I have detailed pictures of the modifications. There is no secret.
I am banned from FaceBook for life. Thanks. I would not have known that...
Doug
The modulation ain't 100%, but with the audio done right for hi fi music, I think the Talking House (i.AM.radio) unit now selling for $300 is a good deal, plug and play. That little wire puts out a SIGNAL! I entertained Key Bank's employees during their lunch hour with a Talking House.
Now...the secret, after all the mods have been done. is processing. The ideal box is the Little 223 INOmini going for $891 w/free shipping from BSW. Or go to eBay and look at the Orban 422a comp/limiter for $400+
I also see the basic 412a, but I have no experience with that. Hey, $200...and it's an Orban! How about an Orban 464A Co-Operator Peak Limiter and Compressor? That's $150 right now...
If your board has EQ, use that to boost your highs and lows. You're only gonna get so much fidelity from AM. Z'way it is...
Doug
First of all, the transmitter is capable of 100%. Travel to the ALPB boards where I posted pictures of the modifications under the Transmitters section. Hope this helps.
When I did use mine I notided it had NO LOWS!! It sounded horrible. As an Album Rovker I can say that I would NOT get any listeners with what I experienced with this TX. One day I'll find someone who will modify it so at least I could use it if FM becomes too full in my area. I always want a back up in case FM becomes useless in my area.
Please see above