FM transmitter kits selection guide

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Description

Please scroll down to select and purchase our FM exciters!

One of the first steps when building your own FM transmitter from modules will be the choice of exciter module. Below are a few typical scenarios that will help you decide.

Small community stations in remote areas, far from urban centers
STMAX3015+ works best for these since it comes with built-in stereo encoder and RDS. This reduces both cost and complexity. It can also be easily programmed via LCD without the need for PC to set the RDS parameters. You can mount one of these on the top of these amplifier modules, this will form a complete Stereo RDS FM transmitter. Audio quality is pretty good. Spurious level is not suitable for professional setups as DDS digital modulator creates some in-band artefacts about -50dBc down. If you’re looking for a simple solution where those issues are not a factor (remote rural area) do get one of these, you will not be disappointed.

Small community stations that require spurious levels to be >65dBc
If your signal needs to be clean but 15W is all you need, MAXPRO2015+ works best. You will also need a separate stereo encoder or audio processor with MPX output. The added benefit is that you can now also use MPX STL wireless link. MAXPRO2015+ can be used as a simple pallet amplifier driver.

Large stations that require spurious levels to be >65dBc
MAXPRO8015+ works best. You will also need a separate stereo encoder or audio processor with MPX output. You can also use MPX STL wireless link. It is equipped with DIGIAMP I interface and also supports MAXLINK II so when interfacing with SE8000 you don’t need to solder at all. Any of these can drive any amplifier up to 10KW and more.

Here is a quick comparison chart between different types of our FM exciters:

Name STR-1000 STMAX3000+ series MAXPRO2015+ micro STMAX2015 +micro MAXPRO8015+ SB MAXPRO8015+ STR
Available today Yes Yes Yes August 2023 Yes Yes
Frequency range 87,5-108 MHz (76-90MHz on request) 87,5-108 MHz (76-90MHz on request) 87,5-108 MHz (54-68 and 76-90MHz on request) 87,5-108 MHz (54-68 and 76-90MHz on request) 87,5-108 MHz (76-90MHz on request) 87,5-108 MHz
Output power 100mW 15W/25W/35W/50W/100W/125W 15W 15W 15W, 25W 15W
Supply voltage 12-15V 12-15V (48V for 100/125W) 12-15V 12-15V 12-15V 12-15V
PLL step size 100kHz 100 kHz (down to 1KHz on request) 100 kHz (down to 50KHz on request) 100 kHz (down to 50KHz on request) 100 kHz (50KHz possible) 100 kHz (50KHz possible)
Antenna connector F female BNC female MCX MCX MCX or BNC MCX or BNC
Modulation type On-board 2xRCA, 2x XLR, USB and AES/EBU L/R input (2xRCA), with new input board also XLR, USB and AES/EBU Standard MPX input L/R input (2xRCA), with new input board also XLR, USB Standard MPX Standard MPX, RCA, XLR inputs
VCO type DDS digital DDS digital Standard VCO + PLL DDS digital Low noise VCO + PLL Low noise VCO + PLL
Spurious output ~-50dBc ~-50dBc <-80dBc <-50dBc <-83dBc <-79dBc
Built-in stereo encoder Yes Yes  No, requires SE2000, SE5000, SE8000 DSP+ recommended! Yes No, requires SE2000, SE5000, SE8000 DSP+ recommended! Yes, SE8000
MAXLINKII support Not needed Not needed Not needed Not needed Yes, MAXLINKII Not needed
Built-in RDS Yes Yes No, requires external Yes Plug-in available Plug-in available
What kind of STL link can be used Split audio channels only Split audio channels only MPX or regular split audio channels (with stereo encoder) Split audio channels only MPX or regular split audio channels (with stereo encoder) MPX or regular split audio channels
Digiamp support No Yes No, but it has input for external power, swr, voltage No, but it has input for external power, swr, voltage Yes Yes
RDS control Directly from LCD display or via PC application Directly from LCD display or via PC application Via PC aplication, requires RDS encoder Directly from LCD display or via PC application Via PC aplication, requires RDS encoder Via PC aplication, requires RDS encoder
PC remote control CyberNanoFM+ program CyberNanoFM+ program CyberMaxFM+ program CyberNanoFM+ program CyberMaxFM+ program CyberMaxFM+ program
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yea
Super Bass: Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Suitable for: Low cost Stereo + RDS solution, all functions including RDS adjustable from LCD display. For remote areas. AES/EBU Low cost Stereo + RDS solution, all functions including RDS adjustable from LCD display. For remote areas. AES/EBU optional Midrange solution with a clean signal Low cost Stereo + RDS solution, all functions including RDS adjustable from LCD display. For remote areas. Very clean signal for pro solutions, requires Stereo/RDS encoder Very clean signal for pro solutions, requires Stereo/RDS encoder

 

We have observed that many of our new inexperienced customers struggle with simple concepts and wiring 2-3 boards can sometimes be a problem. We have prepared a list of example packages which come with exciter, stereo encoder and sometimes also RDS and IO board. All these boards need to be wired together, installed into enclosure and connected to antenna and power supply to form a working transmitter. We strongly encourage you to install the boards in an enclosure, preferably metal enclosure with a small fan (40×40 should work). Running without a small fan or metal enclosure does not insure sufficient cooling and is not recommended.

We will list these example packages below with their main characteristics, you can read more about the used components in their respective listings (they are all available for purchase on this website).

15W stereo FM transmitter
Contains:

–MAXPRO2015+ micro FM exciter with LCD (2×16 characters + 3 keys)
– SE2000D+ stereo encoder
Specifications:
– 15W, operates from 12-15V DC (2.5A)
– N female antenna connector on pigtail cable
– Decent stereo sound
– Two RCA audio inputs
– USB digital audio input
Requires:
– Antenna and 15V mains power supply
– Enclosure

15W stereo FM transmitter with RDS and remote control via USB
Contains:

–MAXPRO2015+ micro FM exciter with LCD (2×16 characters + 3 keys)
– SE2000D+ stereo encoder
– RDSMAX8000 mini RDS board
– IO board with 3 BNC inputs
Specifications:
– 15W, operates from 12-15V DC (2.5A)
– N female antenna connector on pigtail cable
– Decent stereo sound
– RDS with PS, RT and all other functions
– Two RCA audio inputs
– USB digital audio input
– IO board with 3 BNC inputs for MPX in, MPX out and 19KHz pilot (TTL)
– Remote control with PC via USB or RS232
Requires:
– Antenna and 15V mains power supply
– Enclosure

Pro level 15W stereo FM transmitter with RDS and remote control via USB
Contains:

–MAXPRO8015+ SuperBass FM exciter with LCD (2×16 + rotary encoder button)
– SE8000DSP+ stereo encoder
– RDSMAX8000 mini RDS board
– IO board with 3 BNC inputs
– Pre-drilled LCD panel (rotary button 2×16) for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for SE8000 for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for IO board for easy assembly
Specifications:
– 15W, operates from 12-15V DC (2.5A)
– BNC antenna connector
– Excellent stereo sound
– Fantastic stereo separation
– DSP sound processor (adjustable pilot via LCD etc)
– RDS with PS, RT and all other functions
– Two RCA audio inputs
– Two XLR audio inputs
– Digital audio input – USB
– BNC connectors for MPX in, MPX out and 19KHz pilot (TTL)
– Remote control with PC via USB or RS232 for full control over transmitter functions
Requires:
– Antenna and 15V mains power supply
– Enclosure

Pro level 25W stereo FM transmitter with RDS and remote control via USB
Contains:

–MAXPRO8025+ SuperBass FM exciter with LCD (2×16 + rotary encoder button)
– SE8000DSP+ stereo encoder
– RDSMAX8000 mini RDS board
– IO board with 3 BNC inputs
– Pre-drilled LCD panel (rotary button 2×16) for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for SE8000 for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for IO board for easy assembly
Specifications:
– 25W, operates from 12-15V DC (4A)
– BNC antenna connector
– Excellent stereo sound
– Fantastic stereo separation
– DSP sound processor (adjustable pilot via LCD etc)
– RDS with PS, RT and all other functions
– Two RCA audio inputs
– Two XLR audio inputs
– Digital audio input – USB
– BNC connectors for MPX in, MPX out and 19KHz pilot (TTL)
– Remote control with PC via USB or RS232 for full control over transmitter functions
Requires:
– Antenna and 15V mains power supply
– Enclosure

Pro level 400W stereo FM transmitter with RDS and remote control via USB
Contains:

–MAXPRO8015+ SuperBass FM exciter with LCD (4×16 + rotary encoder button)
– SE8000DSP+ stereo encoder
– RDSMAX8000 mini RDS board
– IO board with 3 BNC inputs
– 400W AMPBOX with high-power fans
– DCDC to generate 15V for exciter
– Pre-drilled LCD panel (rotary button 4×16) for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for SE8000 for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for IO board for easy assembly
– 1800W mains power supply (220V required for full power)
Specifications:
– 400W, operates from 220-240V mains
– 7/16 antenna connector
– Excellent stereo sound
– Fantastic stereo separation
– DSP sound processor (adjustable pilot via LCD etc)
– RDS with PS, RT and all other functions
– Two RCA audio inputs
– Two XLR audio inputs
– Digital audio input – USB
– BNC connectors for MPX in, MPX out and 19KHz pilot (TTL)
– Remote control with PC via USB or RS232 for full control over transmitter functions
Requires:
– Antenna and mains power
– Enclosure, best put it in 2H rack,
– Mains cable and mains switch
–Maybe some normal strength size 80×80 fans

Pro level 1000W stereo FM transmitter with RDS and remote control via USB
Contains:

–MAXPRO8015+ SuperBass FM exciter with LCD (4×16 + rotary encoder button)
– SE8000DSP+ stereo encoder
– RDSMAX8000 mini RDS board
– IO board with 3 BNC inputs
– 1000W AMPBOX with high-power fans
– DCDC to generate 15V for exciter
– 1800W mains power supply (220V required for full power)
– Pre-drilled LCD panel (rotary button 4×16) for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for SE8000 for easy assembly
– Pre-drilled back panel for IO board for easy assembly
Specifications:
– 1000W, operates from 220-240V mains
– 7/16 antenna connector
– Excellent stereo sound
– Fantastic stereo separation
– DSP sound processor (adjustable pilot via LCD etc)
– RDS with PS, RT and all other functions
– Two RCA audio inputs
– Two XLR audio inputs
– Digital audio input – USB
– BNC connectors for MPX in, MPX out and 19KHz pilot (TTL)
– Remote control with PC via USB or RS232 for full control over transmitter functions
Requires:
– Antenna and mains power
– Enclosure, best put it in 2H rack,
– Mains cable and mains switch
–Maybe some normal strength size 80×80 fans

Recommendations for assembly of transmitters:
1. Install the boards into metal enclosure, fan is recommended for exciter
2. If full power is too much, set power limit jumper to desired setting with jumpers (you can select 1W, 2W, 3W, 4W, 5W, 6W, 7W, 8W, 9W, 10W….or 15W)
3. Connect antenna, audio input and supply voltage
4. You can change power and frequency with LCD as desired
5. With mains operated units please beware of high voltage, it can be deadly. Use inline mains fuse and mains filter.

How does this work with driving amplifiers?
MAXPRO2015+ and 8015+ are easy to setup for driving a pallet amplifier:
– Set power limit jumper to desired drive power setting with jumpers (you can select 1W, 2W, 3W, 4W, 5W, 6W, 7W, 8W, 9W, 10W….or 15W)
– Connect the SWR and power reading voltage to PWR and SWR pins (2015) or just connect DIGIAMP cable to our filter (8015)
– Set the power meter voltage sensitivity (trimmers on directional coupler – usually on filter) as you wish and the exciter will never drive your amp beyond preset value.

What is the Predrilled LCD front panel?
– This is a rectangular piece of aluminum with predrilled holes for LCD display, buttons and LED diodes. These exist also for stereo encoder and IO board. It also has 4 holes in the corner so you can easily mount this to your case. This makes it much easier to mount the transmitter into a nice looking case (eliminates the hard work with the LCD). This is of course an optional item.

To look for a suitable antenna check: here.
To look for a suitable coaxial cable check: here.

Please ensure that you always run this or any other transmitter with antenna or dummy load attached.

 

Additional information

Manual for MAXPRO8015, 8025, 8050 and 8100+ V5

Here's a program to control this unit remotely with a PC(RS232 or USB) for SE+ V3:
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/software/2013/CyberMaxFM_v64_Setup.exe

Here is the driver for USB port for XP, Vista and Windows7 that should work in 64 as well:
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/software/archive_usb2comport_driver.zip

And finally a USB driver for Windows 10:
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/software/USB2VirtualComPort.exe

We recommend this guide as it explains many useful things for any FM radio station.
Section dedicated to software setup is also very helpfull:
https://www.pcs.si/software/2018/Setting_up_drive_in_cinema_FM_radio_by_PCS_Electronics.pdf

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