(NOTE: This is a post from my radio blog at bigdcountry.com. This was posted on the blog on July 30. I thought those of you involved with Part 15 might enjoy reading it as well.)
(NOTE: This is a post from my radio blog at bigdcountry.com. This was posted on the blog on July 30. I thought those of you involved with Part 15 might enjoy reading it as well.)
I’ve been following the Federal Communications Commission and their procedures for establishing new low power FM (LPFM) stations around the country. As many of you know, I have had a dream of owning a radio station for a very long time. But folks with such poor incomes as mine are seldom able to do it.
All indications are that the FCC will deal with licensing the waiting list of translators first, which they now say will take the better part of a year. Then, maybe in 2013, or possibly 2014, will they open a new “filing window” for new LPFM stations.
Gang, that’s okay, and I have an active application for when that time comes, but, I’m sick of spending my life waiting for something that, even after all that time, may not happen. I’m chomping at the bit to do something now.
I’ve decided to put a local legal Part 15 AM station back on the air.
Marianne really didn’t like for me to climb ladders as I had to do before, to tune, and re-tune the previous transmitter. It’s been off the air since 2009 when some folks who were here to help with home repair cut the audio/power line from the studio to the transmitter in two. I never bothered to put it back on.
Now, with the new (to us) radio building and the move there underway, I have already run a new audio/power line out to the tower (which is really a three-pole array in the back yard.
I’m planning to go with a different transmitter this time – the Radio Systems i AM transmitter and matching antenna tuning unit. This is more of a plug and play system that can be tuned at ground level. The frequency can also be easily changed if there are interference issues and/or the need arises.
I’ve saved about half the amount needed to buy the AM transmitter and antenna system. If you would like to contribute, you may do so via the station’s Paypal account. Simply use my email address (alanmccal AT hotmail DOT com) as the recipient. This account’s funds all go to Delta Star Radio of Florida, Inc., and are not personal funds to me.
Due to the Florida weather, I’m planning to spend the extra $70 for the waterproof version of the ATU. My first Part 15 AM station, on 1160 kHz, was badly damaged during a thunderstorm. Lightning took out an amplifier and part of the transmission line. It took nearly three years before I could afford to put the station back on the air, this time at 1610 kHz. I had better range on 1160.
I hope a few of you will respond, so that I can get this little station built and get some sort of local presence on the air. It appears that the i AM will be sufficient to cover the Lafayette community located about five miles east of Tallahassee. This is also the site of the proposed LPFM, which would be licensed for something like 95 watts, with a 75 foot antenna. Or 100 watts at 69 feet. Either way, it’s a little FM.
Might as well have a little AM to get things started here at home.
ArtisanRadio says
Hi radioboy. Good luck with
Hi radioboy. Good luck with your new station. As stations go off the air (i.e., mine), stations come on and that is good.
You commented that some of the reasons for going with the IAM transmitter were that you wanted to avoid climbing the tower to retune, and that it would be easy to change frequencies.
I just wanted to let you know that I have an older Talking House/ATU combination, and that the ATU does need to be retuned if you are changing frequencies. So you will still have to climb that tower.
However, you are quite right in that it is more of a plug and play solution, with the transmitter staying inside your studio (and you change the frequency there in relative comfort). And it IS easier to tune the ATU only than, say, to change frequencies and retune with a ProCaster, Hamilton, or the like. So you’ll be up there a much shorter time, and not fiddling with screws, boxes and micro switches, not to mention tools such as screwdrivers.
wdcx says
hey Radioboy,
John from Dade
hey Radioboy,
John from Dade City. Are you located on US27? Trying to figure out exactly where ur at.
radioboy says
Thanks, guys!
Artisan: Just read about your future plans and wish you the best of luck with everything. The tower for the ATU isn’t quite so high, so a regular stepladder will suffice, as opposed to borrowing Dad’s big one.
John, yes, I’m off of US 27. I’m on the east side of Tallahassee
roughly 5 miles east. I’m not in the city limits, so I’m in Leon County, but not too far out. The farm is back off the road so it’s not visible from US27. Let me know if you’re coming through the area – I’d be happy to give you the 25 cent tour if you have change:)
Alan