LPFM Radio

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petermcg

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#90891 2-Oct-2011 16:01

Im not sure if there is a topic running on this or not, I have just set up 1 watt station.

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#528286 2-Oct-2011 17:01

You might have more success if we know the Area its available in and the Frequency :-)

Top50? Classical? D&B? Alternative?

Sharesies

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petermcg

69 posts

Master Geek

#528288 2-Oct-2011 17:08

Im in Te Anau, playing run of the mill rock for the young and old, on 88.3
see also
fmteanau.mysite.com

LennonNZ

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#528305 2-Oct-2011 18:15

I'm a little interested in this..

What hardware are you using for Broadcasting?

With a quick reading on the rules ...

You can use 1W max
25Km max radius from broadcasting
Must broadcast contact details every 3 hours
You pay APRA $250/year for copyright fees (or $500/year if you want to simulcast this on the internet as well)

Looking at total population of Te Anau (around 2000 people) how are you funding this or just a hobby?

Thanks
Craig..

ZollyMonsta

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#528307 2-Oct-2011 18:50

You also need to pay PPNZ fees...

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

petermcg

69 posts

Master Geek

#528308 2-Oct-2011 18:54

You can use 1W max
25Km max radius from broadcasting
Must broadcast contact details every 3 hours
You pay APRA $250/year for copyright fees (or $500/year if you want to simulcast this on the internet as well)

Craig, this is just a hobby for me, it has not cost much so far, and hope it doesent,, but in the event of me getting a few listeners {I think there might only be one at the moment} I could consider trying to market something. I have been up and running for two days and have been closing down at night.

I brought in a very small transmitter unit from china, no name brand, but reasonable quality. there is no packaging,,no user manual and no information on the unit anywhere,, even has spelling mistakes on the panel,, I could source another one if you wanted as I buy a lot of Items from overseas and sell on trademe.Maybe about $80NZD for one. The seller claims 7 watt output, I think that would be with a power supply that was putting out about 17 volts. I purchased mine without a power supply. I first tried it with a 14 volt plug pack and it was doing 4 watt, but I had no filtering and there was a Hum. I have now borrowed the filtered power supply about 2 amp and 11.5 volts from a LCD monitor,, with this the power is about 2 watts,, I think I will leave it there. I have an SWR and power meter connected at all times and SWR is below 1.5 with my home made antenna.

The antenna is an old 8 radial ground plane from the CB days and I cut it to suit using diamensions from google, tuned to about 88 mhz, the feed cable is a very good quality 50 ohm peice that I got of trade me and was designed for ethernet use.

I hunted for weeks for the right software tried a some on XP and Linux , as I have both and finally settled on Zararadio Software on my windows computer,, it is perfect, easy to use and learn, its free,has a very good setup for the playlist and most important feature for me was to be able to schedule events by time,, as I have a station ID message playing every hour with contact details, just in case someone is getting interference. Its been very relaxing and good fun. I dident rush things. The software is designed for an automated station and that suits me, with enough music I will leave it running 24 hrs. I am soon to connect a 2 channell dj mixer and a microphone.

LennonNZ

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#528309 2-Oct-2011 19:22

ok. PPNZ $109.00..arghh

PPNZ... APRA.. it seems you are paying $$ to both of them for copyright fees... why the difference?
Do the artists get $$ from both?

ZollyMonsta

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#528322 2-Oct-2011 19:58

APRA from memory is for artists.. PPNZ is for writers.

Yes it can be expensive, especially for a hobby. I'm paying 2x licenses for APRA (Fm and streaming) and one for PPNZ.. think it's costing me around $700 per year.. Just paying it off via drip feed each month.

It pays to be licenced.. Support the artists and writers.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

petermcg

69 posts

Master Geek

#534455 17-Oct-2011 19:58

Im up and running,having a lot of fun,, now Im working through a 2 channel dj mixer with talk over facility and microphone etc. Its being fed from 2 PC with Zara Radio doing the work. The mixer has master level db leds, from
-10 through zero and up to +6, I think I should be running at 0db, this is before the red lights come on,,, but I get a bad sound there, and it is best at -10 or below and if below -10 Im right of the scale with no leds working,, this makes things hard to get right... sound is OK there but it would be better if the mixer would work up the scale a bit so I can see some lights. Is it likely that there is an adjustment for the db leds inside the unit, or should I work it the way it is.

LennonNZ

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#534460 17-Oct-2011 20:05

I really don't know much about it ...

but is the input you are giving the mixer aplified or line output? maybe you have amplified output and this is too much so maybe you take it into the mixer unampped and then amplify the output of it?

Dunno

ZollyMonsta

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#534463 17-Oct-2011 20:10

Sounds like you are over-driving the mixer.
Wont be too accurate, but do this:

* Play a track with a good drum beat.
* Set the mixer fader to 0db
* Open up the sound manager on the PC and lower the Main output of the PC (under the Playback tab) until the LEDs are just peaking into 0db

That should make things sound a bit better. You don't mention a compressor/limiter... Do you have one?

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

petermcg

69 posts

Master Geek

#534512 17-Oct-2011 23:09

ZollyMonsta: Sounds like you are over-driving the mixer.
Wont be too accurate, but do this:

* Play a track with a good drum beat.
* Set the mixer fader to 0db
* Open up the sound manager on the PC and lower the Main output of the PC (under the Playback tab) until the LEDs are just peaking into 0db

That should make things sound a bit better. You don't mention a compressor/limiter... Do you have one?

I had it set up like to start with i think, then the Boy made me turn up the output from the computer,, Im not sure what a compressor or limiter is. My son has been helping with the setup, and I have to do what Im told.

ZollyMonsta

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#534514 17-Oct-2011 23:14

Louder isn't always better :)

It sounds like you are over driving the input to the mixer.

A compressor/limiter helps with keeping audio levels similar between tracks and ensuring you can have a good sound.

I'm using a mix of DSP processing and external audio compression ( mostly due to my silly setup and poor quality external processor).

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

petermcg

69 posts

Master Geek

#534515 17-Oct-2011 23:14

LennonNZ: I really don't know much about it ...

but is the input you are giving the mixer aplified or line output? maybe you have amplified output and this is too much so maybe you take it into the mixer unampped and then amplify the output of it?

Dunno

I think you are right, the input to the mixer is probably to high, i dident think that would affect the db readings, I thought that the output from the mixer would still be quite controlable with the db meter. I monitor the output with a tuner, gives me a good idea of whats happening, instead of using the second line out.

richms

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#544585 12-Nov-2011 14:16

Cheap DJ style mixers have a really hard time with the high level outputs like you get from a PC. I have to have my PC at 14 in the windows mixer to get it passing cleanly into the dj mixer, any higher and there is distortion, anything above 35 and there is clipping. Turning down the slider on the mixer doesnt help as its distorted at the input stage before the slider. Ends up quite noisy as a result of running the output level so low.

A proper USB audio device with the proper levels for consumer audio gear means I can drive it to about 85 on windows mixer without distortion, and its quieter since its not a $.50 onboard sound chip. Dont buy the $3 USB soundcards off deal extreme, they sound worse than anything I have tried.

Richard rich.ms

petermcg

69 posts

Master Geek

#544656 12-Nov-2011 18:09

We got a pretty clean sound now, just have to be carefull not to over drive the transmitter. I did consider a limiter, but they a bit expensive at this stage. I am now considering getting a new transmitter that has a control on the input.

Also got a visit from the radio Inspector, as we were interfering with analog tv1,,,, with a harmonic of 88.3 , we were closed down for 5 days but did get a loan of a cavity filter, to keep us on air. I have now had a FM Low Pass Filter made and tuned, have yet to try it but hoping for a good result.

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