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What are the most popular radio stations to use with an FM transmitter?


tonybiviano

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This is my first year using LOR and an FM transmitter!! Is one radio frequency better to use than another? Is there a standard station to use? Canton Ohio if that matters. Thanks!

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Keep in mind that the site linked above is notorious for being wrong as often as it's right.  It can be used as a good starting point, but you'd be taking an awful risk accepting it's information as accurate or complete without physically verifying the results.

 

Go outside, get into your car, and listen for yourself to find available frequencies.  Ideally, you want a frequency with empty air one step either side of yours.  Write down two or three options (presuming you find at least that many) and then go back out during the evening hours during the time when you'll be running the lights and listen again.

 

Don't take unnecessary chances - do it right.

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If there are other musical displays in your area, find out what frequency they use, and use the same one, because they have already done the work that George listed.

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If there are other musical displays in your area, find out what frequency they use, and use the same one, because they have already done the work that George listed.

Not a good idea if they are too close to you.  Generally speaking, my radio can only be heard on my street.   However a weird effect - 2 neighborhoods over someone used the same frequency & it acted as a booster for mine - could hear both displays at his house, both perfectly clear.  So he had to change frequencies.

Edited by Liberty-Laser
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Not a good idea if they are too close to you.  Generally speaking, my radio can only be heard on my street.   However a weird effect - 2 neighborhoods over someone used the same frequency & it acted as a booster for mine - could hear both displays at his house, both perfectly clear.  So he had to change frequencies.

 

Interesting. I suspect one or both of you were running way over the legal limit. A transmitter that is operating according to the FCC regulations will have a maximum range of under 700 feet (less for good quality stereo). Even at 10x the legal limit, as much of us operate, the signal should be limited to half a block or so.

 

In our area, we have about 6 displays that all use the same frequency. One advantage is that if a visitor uses one of those "light finder" sites like http://lightsofthevalley.com/ to plan a viewing route, he doesn't have to re-tune the radio for each display.

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Actually I believe the limit is (0.01 watts) or 200' for an unlicensed operator.  The fines can be $10,000.  SO...  if your going to do it (duh) then as mentioned above make sure you have a static* channel one step up and one step down.  About the only REAL way the FCC is going to care is if you are causing harmful interferance on a licensed channel, or your light display is better than your neighbors and they call the FCC.

 

You must make sure the channel is a static channel.  By this I mean you hear white noise static.   If you hear silence, -something- is broadcasting. 

If your close to an airport be VERY careful to this point as some navigation equipment holds a frequency.  If your interferring with ANY licensed transmission, the FCC will not be amused. 

 

A licensed transmission could also be the neighbor mentioned above; who does have an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, registered their transmitter, and you happened to pick his channel to operate on!

 

 

>>

Unlicensed operation on the AM and FM radio broadcast bands is permitted for some extremely low powered devices covered under Part 15 of the FCC's rules. On FM frequencies, these devices are limited to an effective service range of approximately 200 feet (61 meters). 

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Interesting. I suspect one or both of you were running way over the legal limit. A transmitter that is operating according to the FCC regulations will have a maximum range of under 700 feet (less for good quality stereo). Even at 10x the legal limit, as much of us operate, the signal should be limited to half a block or so.

 

In our area, we have about 6 displays that all use the same frequency. One advantage is that if a visitor uses one of those "light finder" sites like http://lightsofthevalley.com/ to plan a viewing route, he doesn't have to re-tune the radio for each display.

Neither.  His can only be heard directly at his curb.  Mine isn't available beyond my street (live in a small cul-de-sac), However when I'm near his show, I can again pick-up MY broadcast, but not between here & there.

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