Low Power Transmitters

[AndrewLincs]

I'd like to hook up a low power transmitter on both MW and VHF for my old radios.

I've seen a few on various sites, but wondered what units others use.

Would want to use an ipod or pc or dab radio as the source.

Is there one unit that does both bands?

Regards

Andrew

[Mark R]

Andrew
I don't use one of these yet, but there are these

http://www.6v6.co.uk/cp/scripts/prodList...ategory=68

I did think about the valve one...........


No connection etc etc

cheers Mark

[AndrewLincs]

Yes, I saw that one, seems ideal, shame it is MW only!

Regard

Andrew

[Steve_P]

Look here for a low power FM one...

http://sound.westhost.com/project54.htm

http://www.electronics-lab.com/projects/...index.html

Please note that what you do with things like this and if you get caught doing it is your responsibility and in no way can this site or any members herein be held responsible for your actions. These sites are for guidance and educational purposes only.

Cheers,

Steve P,

[AndrewLincs]

Disclaimer noted and understood.

However, for the vhf side I planned to use one of the legal low powered transmitters, I have a small one that plugs into the bottom of an ipod, so it in not usable with the output of a dab radio or pc.

So looking for a legal FM transmitter with suitable inputs.

Regards

Andrew.

[Joe]

There are plenty of FM ones around. Try e-Bay, Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...lias%3Daps&field-keywords=fm+transmitter&x=0&y=0), Argos &c.

Certainly your Fenman has a socket for a gramophone so you could easily use that. Well, not so easy as wander plugs are a bit tricky to find these days and I wouldn't be so irresponsible as to say anything about match-sticks or cotton buds.

- Joe

[Yorkie]

Since Ofcom's stated ethos is to only make regulatory impositions that are both necessary and proportionate, I was in correspodence for some time with their enforcement department about the possibilty of legalising low power MW trasmitters of up to 100mW for use with AM radios, to enable inputs from FM, DAB, MP3 players, whatever. I contrasted Ofcom's stance on these being illegal to use in the UK, as compared to paranoid America, where the FCC (Ofcoms' equivalant) permits such devices, and even allows them to be used for short range 'community broadcasts' without a licence. I cited the 'Spitfire' as one such device, which complies fully with FCC regulations and hence, is legal in the USA, and is highly regarded in the UK, yet is illegal and unlicensable anywhere in Europe. In the unlikely event of anyone being found by Ofcom to be using such a device or anything similar, be it commercially produced or home-brew or from a kit, that is a criminal offence contrary to the WT Act.

If you look at the UK website of the frim that features and sells the 'Spitfire', you will note that the supplier seeks to absolve itself from criminal liability by putting the onus on the user giving an undertaking to not use the device in the UK or elswhere in Europe, and that purchasers only intend to carry out experiments with it in a fully screened container. (From a legal perspective, I'd say that the supplier is skating on thin ice, but I doubt that Ofcom would have this high on their agenda). Another UK kit supplier states that any orders on its website for its MW micro transmitter kits from UK customers will be routinely cancelled.

Unfortunately, Ofcom is bound by the EU Directive on this issue.

We know that many devices such as FM micro-transmitters and other low power transmitting devices such as car remote keys, garage door openers, baby alarms are legal and licence free on allocated fequencies. Few will understand why a similar allocation could not be made on MW, which has lots of empty spce, but the lack of commercial pressure and no effective lobbying body means that such an allocation is unlikely.

Meanwhile, if they are so minded, people will continue to purchase or home-brew such devices, and Ofcom will continue to adopt that quaint 'three wise monkeys' policy adopted by the USA military on the proclivities of certain members of its armed forces - 'don't ask - don't tell' and Ofcom will keep on not minding.

What's the risk of detection?

Slightly less than zero.

Let's say that you are using an illegal MW AM micro-transmitter 'broadcasting' music from say an i-pod, DAB or FM radio or whatever, to a vintage MW radio receiver within your home. And let's say that a neighbour tunes an AM receiver (if they have one, and are disposed to using it on MW), and they happen across music being continuously played on what they believe to be a 'station' but with no announcements. If the music is to their taste, they may keep on listening - if not, they'll tune off the frequency.

About the last thing they'd do is to report it to Ofcom, who in turn, would be most unlikely to commit scarce enforcement resources to such a matter, when they have major problems in urban conurbations with illegal pirate radio stations.

Short anwer?

Keep on not minding - Ofcom won't, but as always the motto is 'ride at your own risk'!

David

[AndrewLincs]

As always an excellent post David. My thoughts regarding possible detection are along the same lines as yours.

I have ordered some of those banana plugs, so will see what they are like.

The belkin tunecast looks interesting for FM, and it seems easy to modify to steal a few extra nano watts. I just wonder how long a set of batteries will last!

Regards

Andrew

[mikeystep]

I've been using this for well over a year now at work

http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/keene-...SBFMT.html

Doesn't do AM unfortunatly


Regards

Mike

[AndrewLincs]

That's a neat little device, but I am after somthing that I can feed from a dab radio.

Would be nice to find somthing usb powered, but most of these devices seem to be intended for in car use.

The Belkin still looks favorite, I guess at nano watt levels the batteries should last a while.

I'm still trying to get my head around nano watts...

Regards

Andrew