General Asylum

General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

Return to General Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question

64.147.208.242
Posted on February 17, 2017 at 06:41:12
70padams
Audiophile

Posts: 13
Location: Southeast US
Joined: December 28, 2016
 I have an abundance of Tube Radios, and I like to use them, not have them just for decoration.

I do not have good radio reception where I live and even if I did I do not listen to the radio stations.

Currently I use my Echo DOT as a source for my main radio. However, I was considering buying a Tube AM Transmitter to use in my house and be able to use a single source area in the house to transmit music to any of my radios. Has anyone used an AM Tube Transmitter and can you recommend a good one, and tell me your approximate real world range.

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Why tubes and why AM?, posted on February 17, 2017 at 07:16:42
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Why a tube transmitter? And why AM?

There are many decent solid-state FM transmitters (mono & stereo) available for hobby use and FM background noise is inherently quieter.



 

RE: Why tubes and why AM?, posted on February 17, 2017 at 07:41:23
70padams
Audiophile

Posts: 13
Location: Southeast US
Joined: December 28, 2016
 AM because I have radios that do not have FM as an option. Not many, but some.

Tubes - no particular reason.

 

Contact Mike Samra on the vintage asylum, he is very conversant with transmitters. nt, posted on February 17, 2017 at 07:50:06
viridian
 nt

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 17, 2017 at 10:10:49
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4385
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 You might head over to the Radio Road forum - lots of tuner people-

"I do not have good radio reception where I live and even if I did I do not listen to the radio stations"
Lets take the first part- a tuner is like a turntable - the tt needs a good cartridge to be satisfying, and the tuner needs a good antenna -
there are lots of options and they do not all require 100+ foot high towers- see the FAQ section of AA-

Now to the second part- with a good antenna, you might find some stations that you do like - possibly


To your main question - the range is a function of the transmitters power and the terrain/weather conditions- AM is much more susceptible to weather related issues-
bear in mind 3+4=5's post- there are regulations for the airwaves - and if you are only looking for "local" in your house - you should be fine with 2-7 watts of transmitting power-

Happy Listening

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 17, 2017 at 11:21:39
70padams
Audiophile

Posts: 13
Location: Southeast US
Joined: December 28, 2016
 Yeah I just want in my house to my deck coverage.

Even some of the low powered (but higher than technically legal) would never have enough range to get out of my property/valley. I am surrounded on all sides by mountains and Christmas tree farms.

I have looked online and seen a few that sound like they might fit my purposes.

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 17, 2017 at 19:15:29
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 Very cool, good luck in your quest. I had a friend in the fourth grade (1958), his father set him up with a tube AM transmitter, covered a block or so, put on a radio show.

 

why not just stream them online? thousands of AM stations for free- nt, posted on February 18, 2017 at 03:24:27
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003









 

RE: why not just stream them online? thousands of AM stations for free- nt, posted on February 18, 2017 at 04:49:03
70padams
Audiophile

Posts: 13
Location: Southeast US
Joined: December 28, 2016
 I want to use my radios tube radios throughout the house. One streaming source and a transmitter is a lot easier than a bunch of streaming sources.

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 18, 2017 at 08:07:37
Alpha Al
Industry Professional

Posts: 2958
Location: N. Carolina
Joined: February 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: December 3, 2015
 Back in the 60's, Lafayette marketed a simple one-tube "phono oscillator" that allowed you to play music through an AM radio. It also had a mike input. I had one. It only put out about a half watt, but it worked. You might be able to locate one of those.

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 18, 2017 at 15:31:53
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 You can have a one or two watt transmitter and still be legal because of the noise on AM broadcast band today.This would be a perfect start for you.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Why tubes and why AM?, posted on February 18, 2017 at 15:43:57
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I posted a link where you can get an AM transmitter kit for 40 dollars that's easy to build.You don't need more than 100mw of you live in a quiet Area but you can get a solid state one with 10 watts and dial down the power or raise it depending on your needs. If you can load a coil for 160meters,the 100mw transmitter will do wonders.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

Here is a 2 watter you can build depending on your skills., posted on February 18, 2017 at 15:53:30
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 It used to be the limit was 250mw but now they regularly advertise and sell more powerful ones because with digital,interference issues are a thing of the past.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Why tubes and why AM?, posted on February 18, 2017 at 21:38:18
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I cant remember the power restriction for broadcast. Maybe 100mw



ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 19, 2017 at 18:28:11
hifipaul
Audiophile

Posts: 735
Location: NY
Joined: December 22, 2008
Likely it's best to stay close to the edges of the AM band of your radios; and make sure there is no commercial station anywhere near your broadcast fq. Any complaints can bring more trouble than you want. Even 100mw can travel pretty far on a good night.

 

RE: Why tubes and why AM?, posted on February 20, 2017 at 04:25:02
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I think it may be 1 watt but today,there just isn't enough you would interfere with on FM or AM broadcast to make the under manned FCC worry.They are more concerned with malicious interference as opposed to power.You can buy 15 watt FM stereo transmitters for 60 bucks on Ebay all day long and you may get 10 miles out of it but you want to work a frequency down around 90mhz.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Tube Radio and Tube AM Transmitter Question, posted on February 20, 2017 at 13:46:32
Alpha Al
Industry Professional

Posts: 2958
Location: N. Carolina
Joined: February 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: December 3, 2015
 Very true. I got busted by the FCC for operating a homebrew transmitter when I was in high school back in the late 60's.

Apparently, I was causing interference with a commercial station.

They didn't fine me, but took my transmitter.

 

Page processed in 0.028 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]