milateket Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I have been seriously considering this transmitter. Any fellow Canadians using one of these?http://www.decade.ca...p?prd=587575038 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMC Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 (edited) I have heard this unit at a radio broadcast convention and I have to say, it sounds rather good. just to pricey for meand, your on the right track because Canada and the USA both have an agreement that unlicensed FM broadcasting is both set at the same RF power levelsto make it simple, if you hear your station over 314ft (95.7 meters) away from the transmitting antenna then your over poweredThere are many other "brands" to choose from, but the Decade is certified for both U.S. operation under FCC Part 15 as well as Industry Canada RSS-210 & Bets-1 regulations Edited August 12, 2012 by PMC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryM Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I was expecting a much higher price from your comment..surprised to see its not that much more expensive than an EDM.Interesting that they don't spec actual RF power out, but rather, quote the part 15 field strength limits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milateket Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 I was expecting a much higher price from your comment..surprised to see its not that much more expensive than an EDM.Interesting that they don't spec actual RF power out, but rather, quote the part 15 field strength limits.I did read some reviews on a few hobbiest forums regarding this transmitter. I gather it is fairly new. One review stated "Our test sample performed quite well but slightly lower than expected. In speaking with the folks at Decade we discovered their decision was to provide an amount of cushion to their early production to insure that they were well within FCC Part 15 limits. Currently produced transmitters are being calibrated much closer to the legal maximum RF standard to maximize potential coverage." (I provided the link below to the same review.) I really have no knowledge of the technical jargon related to FM transmitters and the power measurements but want to be all legal and such. I appreciate any input...http://www.hobbybroa...ransmitter.htmlI have heard this unit at a radio broadcast convention and I have to say, it sounds rather good. just to pricey for meand, your on the right track because Canada and the USA both have an agreement that unlicensed FM broadcasting is both set at the same RF power levelsto make it simple, if you hear your station over 314ft (95.7 meters) away from the transmitting antenna then your over poweredThere are many other "brands" to choose from, but the Decade is certified for both U.S. operation under FCC Part 15 as well as Industry Canada RSS-210 & Bets-1 regulations Thanks PMC. Good info to know. And i feel even more comfortable now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milateket Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 So... I ordered this and it may be here by Friday. Any tips on setting it up when it does get delivered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) the 250mw level is still going to be pretty hot, even in Canada.. if yer out in the sticks (country) then it probably wont be an issue. I see the unit is 250mw/100mw selectable.. I would start with the 100mw (.1w) and go with that.. Myself, I think I wudda popped the $40 more and got an EDM-RDS, but this one should work for you.. big seller on this is that it is Part15 accepted, even in the Great White North.. The basic EDM wudda been less, but you're still good..Biggest tips:1) Dont modify it in any way, antenna, power level, nuttin'..2) Do NOT run it with a collapsed antenna, it'll burn up the final transistor, or make it reduce output power to Zero.3) Keep the input line-level, ledft knob, down low.. if you run too high a volume (music level from player) into the transmitter it'll cause spaltter and serious sound degradation. Edited September 12, 2012 by TJ Hvasta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milateket Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Thanks for your "input". I am in a rural area so shouldn't have a problem if I am pushing the airwaves a bit further. My command bridge is in my garage which is about 125 feet from the road. One of the reasons I went with this transmitter is because it is an established Canadian company with positive reviews. And me being in Canada and all eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milateket Posted September 17, 2012 Author Share Posted September 17, 2012 Got the transmitter today. I am very pleased so far. Ran around the yard with a portable radio and have great reception for a couple hundred feet. Transmitter is in loft of house. Very clear with a very low line level input (20% maybe) and hooked to iTunes with volume up to 100% on the Mac. Great reception in car. Just me and the kids home and I don't feel like piling them in the car to test out FM reception at 2015h. Have had a little Twisted Sister Christmas going here for an hour now... I really hope someone is trying to tune in their radio as they go by and land on some Dee Snider...Stay tuned! Canadians looking for a good transmitter, this may be an option for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 (edited) I would make a recommendation ta limit th' amount o' audio goin' to the transmitter by keepin' the output volume from th' computer at 50% or less.. too much audio into the transmitter will cause distortion on th' signal. Wit' the transmitter set at one power level, keep th' input audio level (from th' Mac) to about 50%, an' raise the transmitter audio (max o' 'bout 50% there too). If ya sets th' Mac volume too high, it's like "100 people try ta get thru a 50 person doorway.." Edited September 21, 2012 by TJ Hvasta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milateket Posted September 23, 2012 Author Share Posted September 23, 2012 I would make a recommendation ta limit th' amount o' audio goin' to the transmitter by keepin' the output volume from th' computer at 50% or less.. too much audio into the transmitter will cause distortion on th' signal. Wit' the transmitter set at one power level, keep th' input audio level (from th' Mac) to about 50%, an' raise the transmitter audio (max o' 'bout 50% there too). If ya sets th' Mac volume too high, it's like "100 people try ta get thru a 50 person doorway.."Thanks again... made this adjustment and tried it out today. Gave me more room of "play" with my line level in dial. With my 'puter volume at 100% there was a fine line in adjusting the line level in volume and getting good sound versus garbage. I must say, this transmitter is working great and the quality is fantastic. Not a bit of heat generated.That being said TJ, i spent the Friday night and most of Saturday in ER for some crazy stomach virus. One of the last things I read before i got hauled away to the hospital was your last reply to this thread. Some time in the wee hours of Saturday morning I woke in a sweat dreaming about "100 people trying ta get thru a 50 person doorway.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Hvasta Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Oooh, sorry ta hear ya got sick! But good to hear you made the adjustments and things were sounding better. Usually when people remember something i wrote, they sit up in terror, screaming.. hope it wasnt like that =) 'hope ya get better quick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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