Technical Topics > The RF Workbench
thinking of making the leap from FM to SW
jackson_r:
Greetings! I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to register today. I've been broadcasting a 5 watt FM station out of my home for a while now. Despite using a varying schedule I'm getting increasingly paranoid that I'm tempting fate and could get the "knock" one of these days if I keep it up. The records don't show any NOUO actions in my area for over 3 years but with my luck I'll be the one. ;D
I've been a SWL since I was a kid and have recently started thinking of moving over to SW broadcasting. From what I read it sounds like a better way to stay off the fed radar. I've been researching all sorts of equipment but it seems like a lot of stuff is DIY and trust me, you don't want me anywhere near a soldering iron or I'd probably not only burn down my house but the neighbor's house at the same time. However, almost by accident I ran across this little gem yesterday:
http://www.wouxun.us/item.php?item_id=302
I haven't seen any mention of it around here and I was wondering what thoughts members have? I've read the instruction manual and have confirmed that with a little programming tweak it can be made to broadcast on any frequency between the regular amateur bands. It seems low power enough to keep everything fairly low key. I also like the fact that it's small enough that I could build a weather proof enclosure for it, hook up a solar panel and battery, and place it somewhere offsite. If it's ever discovered all they'd be able to do would be to take the gear. Yeah, it'd stink to lose several hundred dollars worth of gear, but I figure it'd still be cheaper than dealing with what could be expensive legal actions.
One question I would have for the experts on a transmitter like this relates to the PTT microphone. Is there an adapter of some sort that would allow a person to plug an iPod or similar device in to the PTT port?
ff:
Hi Jackson! What a cool little rig! I'm not familiar with it.
First - I think you have the right idea to go to shortwave. Although predicting risk would be folly, I can at least say that if you are careful NOT to abuse legitimate users, you are at LESS risk on SW than on FM. There are commercial interests (read that $$$$$$$$) at stake on FM. No such motivation exists on SW. Also, running a jukebox on FM is mainly electromagnetic masturbation. No one listens much - even if they tell you they do. People rarely tune between the presets. So unless you are serving a minority neighborhood or some other disenfranchised group who will actually listen to you... what's the point?
- BUT-
Shortwave and Mediumwave (AM band) are places where radio enthusiasts play. The listeners here are ACTIVE and INTERESTED and DEVOTED. Treat us well and you will have an enthusiastic audience. Welcome...
I studied the X1M manual but really couldn't get much from it about pertinent things like the pinout to the RS232 connector or the bandpass filter Fco-s or yada yada yada - always a problem with Chinese stuff. Much of it is surprisingly good but the documentation sucks. Long story short, I can't gather enough info to give you a good thumbs up/down on it. For about the same $$$, you can go to ebay and buy an old transceiver that - although used - will put out way more power than the X1M. I'm partial to the Icom IC-735 that is actually designed for hour-long keydown sessions, but many other good ones can be found there too. I'm sure that Boombox and WREC and many others here also have suggestions. Best of luck in your endeavors...
ff:
Forgot to address your second half questions -
MIC adapters are cheap and easy to wire up.
I have lots and lots and lots of experience with solar panels and batteries, having lived with them off-grid in a remote cabin for over 10 years. To do it correctly for a full-time operation would cost you at least a couple thousand dollars. Even for that little draw. Yes, really. And battery maintenance has to be done at least once a month or they will soon fail, once the weather gets cold.
And let's face it, nobody really wants to listen to another jukebox anyway, even on shortwave. Thank God the operator of Old Time Radio exclusively runs old radio shows and has a very deep collection of them. I tune OTR often as a propagation check and rarely hear a repeat. If you really want to please listeners, think quality, NOT quantity. Be creative. THAT is the justification for your station to exist. Shortwave gives you the opportunity to do that. If you transmit your show in the pirate bands, you will have listeners. You will be heard. You will be sharing your creativity and your passion with others. Even on a Tuesday night. Even on a Saturday morning. If the band is open, you will have listeners. And they are interested in hearing something different, maybe unexpected. Don't bore them. Have fun...
jackson_r:
Thanks very much for the welcome and the tips! I've definitely seen some used rigs on Ebay that are capable of putting out a lot more power but I've always been worried that they might need some modifications to work on the bands I would use. The two main things I like about this unit are that is requires no mods and also that it's low power by design. I have no way to confirm this, but I imagine that of the SW stations the feds have shutdown, very few have been at QRP broadcast levels.
I think you're right as far as the microphone. There's probably something out there on the market already but I'm sure it'd even be within my skills to pull a microphone apart and wire up something. As long as I don't have to solder! ;D Point well taken about not subjecting listeners to an endless loop of music. I'd have no issue with doing other stuff, but it'd still likely have to be prerecorded and inserted in with the daily broadcast "playlist." I have a young family and screaming kids running around asking, "daddy, what are you doing" in the background while I was trying to live broadcast wouldn't work so well.
I have quite a bit of experience with solar myself, although not for OTG living. I currently use a 100 W panel, regulator, and marine battery, to power an array of outdoor landscaping lights and fountains. It'd be an even easier system to make for powering a radio like this.
Zazzle:
Hi there jackson_r!
Avoding 'the knock' is always a thing thinking about. ;)
--- Quote ---"daddy, what are you doing" in the background while I was trying to live broadcast wouldn't work so well.
--- End quote ---
Aww! I love kids. That'd be fun! :)
Audio-Output 2 MIC: Naa, that's no rocket science. Maybe ask for help with the soldering in your circle of friends or relatives? Help ist just around the corner most times. Without reading the manual for the baby you have your eyes on: usually it takes two modifications:
* Bridge teh PTT switch so it's broacasting permamently.
* Adapt the voltage level of the headphone out to the MIC input. That's usually 2V to 2mV. That can be done by a simple resistor based voltage divider. In case you keep on your actaual plan and need some help with the valkues: poke me.
About the Solar-Power thingie: If you're not happen to live somewhere with a LOT of sunshine all day long (like in a country/state around the equator) that can be tricky. I hate to ruin the fun but it won't work in areas with something called "winter" and "snow" around.
Basic calculation: We assume you whole rig (with 5W PO) consumes about 1,5A. For one day that's 25h*1,5A = 36Ah. That the entire charge of a full standard (small) car battery.
A standard value for solar charging estimates (during summer) 5 sunhours (with full power) per day. 36Ah / 5h = 7,2A. That's a 180W (+) PV Panel. The dimensions for such are approx 1x1.7m. About 150 bucks (ebay). And it won't be easy to hide.
And this goes for perfect conditions. Rainy day? Forget it. You're out of power. We still assume you have nothing called "winter" in your area I'd say you've to go for 300+W PV power to provide a stable charge into a (at least 88Ah) battery.
(those are all quick'n'dirty calculations. Doing a proper evaulations that ensure a reiable power supply will be way more complex. I forsee from that for now.)
Also, a car battery will wear down within one year (or less). They're not made for full swing (dis-)charge cycles. You can, of course, go for a special battery made for solar operation. But, eh, expensive. 75Ah is about 250 Bucks.
Other sidenotes: keep an eye on the specs of the Radio. Is it made for long term key-down operation? Also, when putting it outside: spend some thought on the ambient temperature. In case sun hits the box the ambient temperature can easily exceed 60+°C. The device temperature adds to it. 90°C isn't unlikely.
Greetings,
~Zazzle
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