New, saying Hi

[gungatim]

Hi, stumbled on this site after hearing some stations on my old SW. Just getting into the hobby, I have an old FM transmitter from a 50's radio station (size of a small refrigerator) in my mom's basement from when my dad was into this back in the early 70's. hoping to learn a bit and get it up and running...keep the legacy going, if I can

[JohnPoet]

Hi, and welcome to Free Radio Cafe!

After logging in to the board, be sure to pick up some material in our 'Members Only' download section. There's a lot of information there for new would-be pirate radio operators, especially under:

Pirate Radio Broadcasting How-To's
&
Low-Power FM Broadcasting: How-To & More

Just an aside on the "50s FM transmitter"... If you're interested in going FM, you're probably way better off not trying to mess with that thing for the time being. Many of the components degrade with age, so it would need a complete overhaul before it would be safe to even try to turn it on. It's a job for an engineer, probably. There are tons of FM transmitters available now that are pretty much "plug & play", light, and relatively inexpensive depending on the output power-- much easier for a newbie to put some kind of station together than trying to overhaul aged equipment. eBay would be the spot to start looking, after reading over some of the Low-Power FM broadcasting material from our download directory.

[gungatim]

I do know how to replace caps and test a lot of circuits, but I agree, eyeing the $59 fm transmitters on ebay is probably a good way to start...picked up a B&K frequency generator/radio test analyzer that works as well...

[thelegacy]

Hi I just joined Today but have been broadcasting on FM with a 500 mW SainSonic AX-05B transmitter on 87.9 Mhz and using my computer as a source and using NextKast Radio Automation which I did help the developer with. This program does have built in Audio compression and limiting. I broadcast my Internet Radio station about 1/4 mile which plays Progressive Rock, Progressive Rock (Album Rock) http://thelegacy.shorturl.com as to help promote it. I'm also working on getting folks together who just want to broadcast 1/4 to 1 mile and make it legal with the FCC expanding the rules for part 15:239 without any gray areas. There was a white space proposal to the FCC that could open up white space devices such as wireless mics around 87.7 and 87.9 Mhz for the USA. I think this is a great place to try and strike while the iron is hot. Also asking for 1 Watt as a low power hobby FM station without the expensive licensing of either a high power commercial station or LPFM which the window is no longer open for anyway. There would be of course previsions to avoid some user trying to deliberately jam a licensed station or operating too close to an adjacent channel. For example if there was a station on 88.1 Mhz you would operate on 87.7 Mhz not 87.9 Mhz as there is a 200Khz deviation and you need to keep one channel available between you and the licensed station. I already use FM at 500 mW but I'd like to see this 100% legal so that those who have open frequencies and want to freely broadcast can do so. this would bring about diversity and the ability for folks to learn and experiment with Radio. Of course I'm talking about a fixed antenna such as a telescoping antenna or Rubber Duck. My 500 mW SainSonic can transmit 1/4 to 1 mile when listening on a very good Radio and under the right conditions. I'm hoping to maybe achieve more interest in it and maybe have some help writing a petition as I'm not good at business documents. The document will have to be professional, factual based on lack of interference from countries Like New Zealand in which already allows 1 Watt on the guard bands as was stated by Johnny C of Rag FM. The petition will require that the expanded part 15 transmitters would have to scan the frequency the operator intends to use before allowing transmission. I'll probably have to post this elsewhere on the site but I just want to introduce myself and let you know why I'm here and some of which I plan to accomplish. It is time to make a change for the better of all who would enjoy Radio. Best Regards to all. If you want to talk to me personally you can call my RockLine as announced on my station. If you live outside the USA or require WiFi there is a FREE app for the Android that uses IP to phone. Its called TextMe. Hope to hear from someof you as possible interested participants.

[CoolAM Radio]

Howdy "GungaTim"

Can you maybe give some more information about that
"old" FM Transmitter/Refridgerator?
Like Brandname/Model etc?

Best Greetz & Welcome!

André
CoolAM Radio - Shortwave
the Netherlands
http://coolam-productions.tk

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