FM Transmitters

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djmike

djmike

DJ Extraordinaire
Apr 13, 2009
354
72
Newport, Kentucky
Hey yall. I just recently bought an FM transmitter to use for our outdoor shows, and was wondering if anyone else has used these. Any suggestions on how to reach further out. The one I bought is the 0.5 W Fail-Safe Long Range Dual Mode FM Transmitter, model number Rangestar FS CZH-05B from Amazon. Although it did work great Saturday when we used it for the first time, but some were having trouble picking up the signal across the parking lot. What Im looking for is an extension cable that has the TNC connector on the antenna. Does any know where I can find one? What Im wanting to do is raise the antenna up higher to get a better signal for people far away. And help & suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
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Ok you got some splaining to do.. Are you sending the signal to people's car radio? Next if so why are you doing this? Let us know the situation. When you give us some more info I can suggest a high gain fm antenna..
Thanks Dave...
 
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Yes. Thats what we are trying to do. Is just send a signal to FM car stereos at car shows, ect. This only has a 1/4 mile range on high power, and maybe 100-150 feet on low power. I have already checked the regulations with the FCC, and its ok to have a transmitter under 100 watts and NOT have a license, so thats done and over with. We done a car show Saturday in a small town where my parents live, and we were in a huge parking lot. We were in a Walmart parking lot, if that gives you an idea of how big the lot was. Some people were having trouble picking up the signal from where we were set up at to where they were parked at. Im not sure of the distance, I just know they were across the parking lot from us. People close to us got a great signal from the transmitter. We even set the transmitter on top of one of our speakers, and the signal was still limited.
 
Great I got it! Can you send a picture of the (or a model # ) of the transmitter then I can suggest a solution to your short range...
 
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djmike said:
Yes. Thats what we are trying to do. Is just send a signal to FM car stereos at car shows, ect. This only has a 1/4 mile range on high power, and maybe 100-150 feet on low power. I have already checked the regulations with the FCC, and its ok to have a transmitter under 100 watts and NOT have a license, so thats done and over with. We done a car show Saturday in a small town where my parents live, and we were in a huge parking lot. We were in a Walmart parking lot, if that gives you an idea of how big the lot was. Some people were having trouble picking up the signal from where we were set up at to where they were parked at. Im not sure of the distance, I just know they were across the parking lot from us. People close to us got a great signal from the transmitter. We even set the transmitter on top of one of our speakers, and the signal was still limited.
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Try attaching the antenna to a Helium Balloon.
 
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This antenna is going to solve your problem on range, it will do a better job than the antenna that came with your transmitter. Just make or buy a tripod for it and get it up as high as you can get it.

http://www.fmtron.com/data/antenna30.php?item_id=29

Although the antenna cost as much as the transmitter it is like a camera the the lens usually cost as much or more than the body...
 
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Thanks Dave. The only problem with the connector on that antenna, is its a BNC connector. I need the TNC connector. Is there an adaptor the will connect a BNC to TNC ?
 
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djmike said:
Yes. Thats what we are trying to do. Is just send a signal to FM car stereos at car shows, ect. This only has a 1/4 mile range on high power, and maybe 100-150 feet on low power. I have already checked the regulations with the FCC, and its ok to have a transmitter under 100 watts and NOT have a license, so thats done and over with. We done a car show Saturday in a small town where my parents live, and we were in a huge parking lot. We were in a Walmart parking lot, if that gives you an idea of how big the lot was. Some people were having trouble picking up the signal from where we were set up at to where they were parked at. Im not sure of the distance, I just know they were across the parking lot from us. People close to us got a great signal from the transmitter. We even set the transmitter on top of one of our speakers, and the signal was still limited.
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Might want to re-check those regulations Mike -- I believe you are limited to a 200 foot range on FM, @ 0.1 watts without a license.

The fines range between $10,000 and $75,000, and there are also criminal charges.

I'd be very careful...
 
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I did check the FCC regulations. And Im in the safe zone. If I get more than 2 miles out, then I would need a license. Depending on the area, I can get at least a quarter of a mile without any trouble with the FCC. Also, as long as I have no bleed over to any other frequencies, its not going to be a problem. I have a list off all used and unused frequencies in the areas that we have shows at. All is good that part.
 
Transmitters such as have been described here operate under Part15 of FCC Rules & Regs. Suggest you start there as it sounds like you have gotten some very bad info.
You SHOULD'NT expect a range of more than a football field, more than that and your signal field strength is more than likely over the legal limit. Field Strength not power in watts is what the FCC measures.

I have almost 40 years experience in the broadcast industry so I do have some idea of what I'm talking about.

I believe this to be a reliable resource:
http://www.hobbybroadcaster.net/
http://part15.us/

http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet63/oet63rev.pdf

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/low-power-broadcast-radio-stations

http://www.pillsburylaw.com/sitefiles/publications/8e3b5b67e18bd7cf433487532d9eea1b.pdf
 
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SSSSHHHH I have to be careful

in 1980 I was busted by the radio inspectors for operating an illegal FM radio station operating on 105fm (now some big station has it)

a mate and I bought the FM transmitter chip from overseas easy enough and then after being on air for one week we was busted
the transmitter was no bigger than a Lunch box and was heard all over the City

My mate got 3x months jail , all I got was a fine but I could have gone for 5x years in jail or 100,000 fine as well

I even still have the original broadcast taken 10km from the site and its on a metal tape

was a lot of fun then (only been a Dj for 3 or 4 years then)

- - - Updated - - -

I WAS A BAD BOY WHEN I WAS YOUNGER !!!!!!
 
I just checked the range on this yesterday, and I live in an apartment complex. I got in my truck, and started driving around. As soon as I left my parking lot, the signal dropped completely out. I drove around the block, and into the other 3 sections of my complex, which are pretty close to each other, and was not getting the signal. As soon as I pulled back into my lot, it come back in. So, right now, Im barely getting 200-300 feet of range from the transmitter, which is what I like for using at home. The only time I would want the range is for outdoor shows. But for now, no one in my general area outside of the building I live in is getting the signal. ONLY the ones in my building are receiving it, which is good, and thats the way I want it for home use. I have had several of my neighbors in my building to test it out, and only the ones in my building are getting the signal. No one else is getting it.
 
djmike said:
I just checked the range on this yesterday, and I live in an apartment complex. I got in my truck, and started driving around. As soon as I left my parking lot, the signal dropped completely out. I drove around the block, and into the other 3 sections of my complex, which are pretty close to each other, and was not getting the signal. As soon as I pulled back into my lot, it come back in. So, right now, Im barely getting 200-300 feet of range from the transmitter, which is what I like for using at home. The only time I would want the range is for outdoor shows. But for now, no one in my general area outside of the building I live in is getting the signal. ONLY the ones in my building are receiving it, which is good, and thats the way I want it for home use. I have had several of my neighbors in my building to test it out, and only the ones in my building are getting the signal. No one else is getting it.
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If the power of your transmitter is fixed, then how is changing the antenna at the transmission end going to increase field strength? I don't see how minor changes in efficiency will make up for what is essentially a small power output?
 
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