BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)

Subject: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 04:05 PM

Does anyone have experience with low-power FM broadcasting -- say 100 watts and a radius of 3.5 to 5 miles from the antenna? I'm thinking strongly about putting one in to help the visually handicapped, folks that don't have cable TV (there's already a public access TV station on cable), etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: pdq
Date: 09 Apr 07 - 05:02 PM

Here is a flea-powered FM station in California. Many years ago I donated some parts for their transmitter and mixing board. They run less than 500 watts, maybe only 100. Not sure, but you can call them and ask. Really nice people.

                         KKUP

Subject: RE: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: open mike
Date: 10 Apr 07 - 12:46 AM

I am a programmer at a low power f.m. station.
KRBS has a wewb site...www.radiobirdstreet.org.
People who do lots of support work to help these
stations get going are the Prometheus Radio Project.
http://www.prometheusradio.org/
You can see some info and links to radio workshops,
and conventions on our web site.

in the case of public access television,
there are often contracts between local
cities, and cable operators, as there
has been some legislation requiring
programs for P. E. G. (Public, Educational, and Government)

i am not sure if this applies to radio,
but i do wish yo uluck in your endeavors.

The prometheus project sponsored a station
last year which was mainly for farm workers
to communicate with each other in Oregon.

They were very helpful in helping us to start
up our station. I wish you luck, and let us
know what you come up with. (unfortunately
there have been some recent changes which
are detrimental to stations, esp. ones that
play music, see the threads about internet
fee hikes, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: open mike
Date: 10 Apr 07 - 12:52 AM

low power radio link-Prometheus

Subject: RE: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: MG John
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 03:58 AM

Hi There Rapair,
If you only need to transmit 3 0r 4 miles from your base station, as little as half a watt, using a quarter wave antennae, would suffice depending upon the height above ground level that your antennae is situated and the local terrain.
John (G7FZX)

Subject: RE: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 01:14 AM

Rapaire, my broadcast engineer husband, Rog, suggests calling your local public radio station and see if they'd be interested in carrying it as a sub-carrier. That's old technology, but it works. IF the population you are talking about has some kind of web access, it can be done online, of course.

I read for something like this in Springfield, MA, back in the early 80's. I went to a college and read the newspaper for visually impaired folks who had special radios supplied to them in their homes. We also read books and magazines. It was a neat service and I really enjoyed doing it.

Good for you!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Low-Power FM Radio (US)
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Apr 07 - 09:03 AM

My reasoning behind this, as behind a lot of the stuff the Library here is doing, is simple: It's needed, it would be important to a lot of people, so let's do it. If we need money to do it we'll find it, but let's stop whining and get on with it.

For instance, we need more storage space. So yesterday I punched a hole in the wall that encloses the back stairs and we found that there was a pretty decent sized area that was unused. I called the Fire Dept. and they said, "Sure, you can use it as long as you don't store flammables under the stairs." Sooooo...we're getting a quote for a installing a door. Actually, we plan to use the current employees' entrance door and replace the current one with one with a small window in it.

It's needed, and somebody should do it, so let's get on with it.

And further advice would be as appreciated as the stuff so far.