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Foret

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Foret New Forum User

Foret

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Hello everyone I'm new to the forum and LOR displays I've set up lights before for holidays but never any shows this is my first year and about to buy a LOR controller starter package. I have no idea which one so I figured I'd ask the experts. I only want to run 1 controller with Fm transmitter. I have limited Ican icicle lights and trees and characters and stuff I've read a lot of posts about putting single colors together to utilize multiple channels for multiple colors. My question what is it I need to get started???? Am I to late for this years display. I have pretty good computer knowledge and for the most part two weeks at a time to work on sequencing. Thanks in advance for responses

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Ron Boyd Member

Ron Boyd

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http://store.lightorama.com/rese16chstpa.html

 

Start with this, and get the Advanced license upgrade. (You'll be glad you did). Play around with the software after you watch these: http://www.lightorama.com/S3TutorialLinks.html

 

I would suggest either a http://www.edmdesign.com/orders.html or http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=FM25B or http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=FM30B

 

I started my first display in June of 2011. I ordered a single controller and sequenced 20 songs. I ordered another controller in August and re-sequenced the same 20 songs for 32 channels and was ready to go live with all of the display up, a whole month prior to lights on. It can be done.

My second year, I went to 112 channels and 442 Pixels, started in January and got everything up and running on Thanksgiving night. I went "Lights On" the next night. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, 2012, I started planning the 2013 show. 

 

It all depends on what you want to do with your display and how much time you want to spend on it.

 

Good luck and welcome aboard. There's no turning back once you get your first controller or 2.

 

Ron

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zeighty Member

zeighty

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Start searching the forums for links to sequences. You will find a lot that are for 48,64,128 and more channels. You can par it down to channels you have, but keep the original as you add controllers it will pay off. Also give a lot of thought of you light layout before you start programing or editing sequences. I too am new to this insane hobby and have changed my light config 3 times. I still don't have a handle on channel manipulation (A few wish list things is S3 would help), but I have managed to get 2 songs ready thus far and working on my 3rd. They are not perfect, but will do until I get better at it.

One more thing, unless you are fortunate, friends and family may not understand why you do this or how it could take so much time. At least they won't until they see the results. Remember when you get frustrated or discouraged, that if it were easy everybody would be doing it.

Edited by zeighty
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gmac Member

gmac

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Is there any Fm transmitters that is plug and play that I do not have to solder. I'm not the best solderer If u know what I mean

I would highly recommend th Ramsey Fm25 or  30.........I have the FM30 and it's a great unit sound is almost like a commercial broadcast....I know it comes in a kit........But if you contact Ramsey in NY they could lead you to someone who could put it together or do like I did I had a guy from our local electronic shop solder it together......You could also contact your local Tech school some of those kids are really sharp and can always use a couple of extra bucks to do it for you.

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gmac Member

gmac

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Many folks have had success with this one. I plan on purchasing it next month. Read some of the reviews. Lots of info in them.

http://amzn.com/B003FO4UHW

I read the specs on that unit and noticed it dosen't have a PLL tuner.............could have problems with drift....

 

This is from one of the reviews on Amazon about the unit

 

Keep in mind that this transmitter is NOT FCC Part 15 compliant. There is no Part 15 label on it, nor is there any transmitter certification. You're on your own here, and Fail-Safe makes that clear in their instruction sheet. In the U.S., the maximum for legal, unlicensed FM transmissions is 250uV/m, measured at 3 meters. Contrary to popular belief, the FCC does not state this limit in terms of power. Transmitter power is misleading - due to efficiencies, transmission line losses. antenna gain, antenna height, terrain, obstacles, etc., your mileage may vary. It's signal strength that matters to the FCC. I haven't measured the signal strength of the Fail-Safe unit, but I would not be surprised if it was several times that legal limit - even at the low power setting. So unless you live way out in the boonies, you might want to keep it at the 100mW setting if you want to avoid getting a NOUO letter from the FCC.

 

JUST,,,,,,,,,,,,FYI

 

Edited by gmac
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zeighty Member

zeighty

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This changed my mind. Cost is not much more than the one on Amazon and looks to be a much better quality. You know, being a Ham I should know better than to have recommended a transmitter that has so many harmonics, according to a competitor's review. 

I don't know the actual power the harmonics were showing (not in the review), but I believe it would be safer to buy this unit. 

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Foret New Forum User

Foret

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Is the website for the christmas fm transmitter giving yal trouble? It's not consistent jumping all over the site. It's not letting me navigate the site properly...

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