newbie with questions thinking of starting a station

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delrio
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newbie with questions thinking of starting a station

Post by delrio »

hi i'm new to this site and to fm radio i'm thinking of starting a radio station in mexico right by the border to reach my home town it will be mostll hip hop and r and b i was wondering if yall had any sugjestions on the equipment i would buy i want to transmit about 30 miles or so any help or advice you can give is greatly apreciated
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pcs
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Post by pcs »

Please read this first before you ask!

1.) Common questions & answers: Q&A (shipping, payment, tax, range..)
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/en/guide.php?sub=QandA

2.) How to start guide (how to setup a transmitter, what range can I get...)
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/en/guide.php?sub=howto

3.) Look at the typical complete setups with everything, a very good guide also
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/en/produ ... ?sub=combo

4.) Our guides (antenna guide, how to start, amplifiers...) on the left
Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
--------------------------------------------------------
Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
delrio
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Post by delrio »

i have read the f&q but i was wondering if u think the station could be profitable
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radioboy
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re: u think the station could be profitable

Post by radioboy »

If you pursue the "for profit" interest in what essentially and arguably *hobby broadcasting* then you are not only setting yourself up for an eventual shutdown, but will likely catch the ear and eyes (depending how you plan to sell time) of the local authorities who would love nothing more than to obtain another xmtr to add to their collection of confescated equipment.

As for as equipping a station, a basic mixer capable of handling as many source inputs as you may feel necessary (generally speaking; at least a microphone and two audio-players, turntable, cd, whatever your fancy) and perhaps a cassette deck for any pre-recorded liners or drops you may need) should suffice. Procuring the right transmitter (power wise) and then decieding on the most suitable antenna for your needs is something you will need to invest some time and research on. Ensuring you have a technically on par signal which causes little or no interfearence is important, especially if you are considering on broadcasting a fair amount of the day and selling advertising time.

Personally, I wouldn't go that route. May as well take billboards out with maps and directions to your studio, but if you do plan to be somewhat more high-profile than other hobby broadcasters, and even have the nads to offer ad-time for sale, ensure you have as technically proficent a signal as you can achieve, afterall- even for a dollar a holler.. nobody is likely to buy time on a peashooter sporting co-channel interfearence, or that can barely be heard through the static & hum, or seems like it's being broadcast from a glorified Mr. Microphone.

Just my Susan B. Anthonys worth.

Cheers,
((RadioBoy))
--
Art is a lie that tells the truth." -- Pablo Picasso
> "Whatever Picasso said." --Radioboy
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pcs
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Post by pcs »

That was a great post, Radioman.
Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
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Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
delrio
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Post by delrio »

well c the athorities in mexico could care less and this would not be a hobby radio staion with cheap equipment it would be a real radio staion that would be computer automated and i think it would be profitable because the raido stations here in del rio suck a$$ there is no hip hop radio station for 160 miles
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pcs
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Post by pcs »

30 miles is a lot of range, you will need a lot of power for solid coverage.
You'll possibly need multiple transmitter sites.

If there is no danger in your unit being confiscated, invest into
your exciter, get a good solid professional unit at 10-100W. You
will need an amplifier, too. And a good antenna (on a tower).

If there is a suitable hill close by, think about placing your transmitter
there.
Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
--------------------------------------------------------
Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
delrio
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Post by delrio »

i was thinking of useing a 200 WATT ERP SYSTEM from ******
Last edited by delrio on Mon Oct 11, 2004 2:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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pcs
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Post by pcs »

That's a good start, but won't give you solid coverage of 30 miles.

Pro stations use tens of thousands of watts for less coverage.

It doesn't mean you won't be heard, but there will be dead/blind
spots. More power better coverage.
Best regards,
Marko - PCS Electronics
--------------------------------------------------------
Turn your PC into a FM radio station!
http://www.pcs-electronics.com
fax +386 4 2316 128
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