This was a interesting no nonsense thread concerning range worth revisiting. I dont get the point of using a tone but the observations and comments were interesting....
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So how far does this thing go anyway?!
Isn’t that one of the first questions we always ask when we go on the air? Well recently I purchased a Hamilton Rangemaster to add to my stable of transmitters (which includes the SSTran, the Ramsey AM25C, the Vectronics AM-1, and the venerable Knight Wireless Broadcaster). Of course, I was excited to find out how far it would go. And, I’ve developed an interesting technique for DXing that I want to share with you.....
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Read the whole thread. https://www.part15.org/so-how-far-does-this-thing-go-anyway/
After rereading it I guess I get the point of using only a tone for range checks. But that's besides the point really... Another interesting conclusion was:
"...Second, the useful range of a Part 15 transmitter is a LOT less than the distance it actually can be be detected. On an area basis, if two blocks is equal to 1/4 mile, then the useful coverage area of my station is very roughly 0.2 square miles. But the absolute limit of reception is considerably farther....
...Power lines can carry electrical noise, but they can also affect your coverage– in some cases, extending your range and in other cases, attenuating it....."
There were several comments that concurred and some talk about how weather conditions affect range. Overall I found the range reports of the comments realistic, for example,
MRAM had commented:
"..My usable area coverage is about a .4 mile radius. But, this is greatly affected by weather, time of day, season, etc... ...Propagation is a funny thing. There are “hot spots” around town where my signal suddenly jumps up from nowhere. I’m talking maybe 3 miles away..."
Propagation is a funny thing indeed.
This was a interesting no nonsense thread concerning range worth revisiting. I dont get the point of using a tone but the observations and comments were interesting....
He explains why he used a tone in the post -
"You will find, if you try this, that the tone will stand out even if your signal is buried under 3 or 4 other stations in the muck, and you will be able to hear it for a long way. The ear is very sensitive in the 1 kHz range."
His experience with the range of his Rangemaster is very similar to mine, with my Rangemaster. I like how he describes his range in what appears to be an accurate, realistic, and transparent manner. Thanks for reposting this @RichPowers!
@rugster Yeah, I thought it was a real interesting thread too... and by the way, I did follow up by saying in my last post "..After rereading it I guess I get the point of using only a tone for range checks..."
The FCC likes to use terms like "effective ramge" to estimate how far a part 15 device can carry. The big problem with that is what is an "effective ramge"? The FCC says approximently 200ft. R Fry proved here and on other forums (and in Radio World) that physics show the effective service range of part 15 AM compliantly installed, in area having ground conductivity of 8 can have an effective service range as far as a mile and half from the transmitter (this is also kind of illustrated in the link thread too).
The ludicrous 200ft document, "still in effect" was described by the late FCC chief engineer John Reed as being "wrought full of errors" and whoever's wrote it "should have consulted an engineer first."
The FCC likes to use terms like "effective ramge" to estimate how far a part 15 device can carry. The big problem with that is what is an "effective ramge"? The FCC says approximently 200ft. R Fry proved here ...
The ludicrous 200ft document, "still in effect" was described by the late FCC chief engineer John Reed as being "wrought full of errors" and whoever's wrote it "should have consulted an engineer first."
Where on the web could I get documents or studies that have this information?