Ipod type FM transmitter for Main frame server

[Mark W.]

Today I was in a music store and spotted a tiny FM transmittoer designed to plug into an Ipod type devise and transmit to a FM reciever.

WELL I got to thinking would this devise work to transmit CD's stored on my main frame computer to my Pioneer TX-9100 in the next room. Of course my antenna is about 25 feet away on the roof. Not even sure if it's worth doing even as a novilty. But I was wondering does any here do anything like this. In the house rather then in a car etc.

It would save me from having one source selector on one of my AUX inputs (running out of inputs LOL) and the cables I would need to run through a wall to my system from my main frame.

[RichPA]

I don't use an iPod-type transmitter, but I do use an FM transmitter to distribute sound through the house. There's a thread about it here (http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=42536)

[drspiff]

I wasn't an AK'er when RichPA had his thread on the Ramsey XMTR. But... I have the Ramsey FM-30 and am delighted. The XMTR is idiot-proof and dead easy to assemble. The sound it transmits is as good as the input source and I have my music anywhere I want it. I have 2 shops, a kitchen, living room, office, and 2 bedrooms that require music. Instead of running wires to all these places, I have small vintage setups like a Fisher 200 and a pair of Fisher 100 speakers. The most distant shop has a Fisher 700T driving Advent/3's.

If I were being honest with myself, the Ramsey is my justification for vintage audio.

[Sansui Louie]

You can get as fancy or as simple as you care to with FM. I've had very good results in short range with a device called an i-Rock. It's about the best of the i-Pod type transmitters that I've tried, and I've tried a few.

But I think I'll probably end up with the PC Transmitter from this fellow:

http://www.pcs-electronics.com/en/index.php

I had an older version of this that I loved, until an idiot friend ruined it.

[Mark W.]

OK guy you have me going a little nuts here. I have always wanted Silverton to have it's own little radio station.

Now based on the college station 12 miles away that my TX-9100 and J pole antenna can just barely pull in. It's 135 watts. The town of Silverton is basically 1.5-2 miles wide E/W and maybe a total of 4 miles long N/S so roughly a rectangle 2 miles by 4 miles with me located about the center of the north end of town.

The terrain is basically flat backed up to foot hills and two canyons to the south.

So the whole town proper would be almost line of sight and within 2.5 miles of me and my antenna. The residential part of town extends up the bottom of one canyon and on top of the other for another mile. If I placed the transmitting antenna on my roof or back deck it would be approx. 25 feet off the ground and with little effort go up another 15-20 feet and still be quite easy to manage.

The next town to the north is totally line of sight and starts about 4 miles North of me and is only about 1 mile to the far north end.

HOW many watts would I need to create a signal strong enough to be listened to on a car radio? Any ideas?

AND at what point do you have to talk to the FCC and all that? Womnder if I can get a Grant to pay for it you know bringing good commercial free Rock and Roll to the little town of Silverton.

[RichPA]

Mark, I don't know the answer to your technical questions, but there's a nice summary of FCC rules here: http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/resource/default.asp?page=fcc
I'm pretty sure that what you're describing would get you into broadcast-license territory, a whole different ballgame than using the transmitter to broadcast within your house.

[Mark W.]

Ya, Rich after I posted that last question I went around to the FCC site and started looking at what turned out to be a less then happy feeling. From what I can tell unless I become a church or some kind of approved organization a 100 watt FM station would with out doubt fall under the Pirate radio label and get my silly ass in trouble.

OF well.