Post
by GreyCoyote » Sat Jul 20, 2013 12:40 pm
One Part 14 Subpart J wireless transmitter. $15
One 10 db feedline amp: $22
One 300 ohm log-periodic yagi: $50
Belief it could actually work: priceless.
On a serious note, if you want something cheap that will cover all of BRC with a useable and pro-sounding stereo signal, get a second-hand Ramsey FM25b transmitter pre-assembled, and a new TM-100 antenna. With the feedline, the whole thing is less than $300. All you need to add is a 12v deep cycle battery and a mixer. Stick this up 40 feet in the air and you will plaster all of BRC with just 1 watt ERP. You should get 24 hours easy on the battery before recharging it.
Years ago we used exactly this setup at a regional burn and had exemplary results. People couldnt believe the airchain we were using could sound so good.
You dont need big power to be heard. BRC is a relatively small and wonderfully flat area (as far as signal goes) There is little competition from nearby stations. So what you need is antenna height above ambient terrain, not brute power. Just 1 watt at 40 feet will be heard further than 20 watts at 10 feet, and it will give you a far more even contour overall with less dead spots.
Virtually all of the radiators on the playa are operating illegally. If the feds want to shut you down, they will do it based on your status as an illegal radiator and not as a rebroadcasting facility. It is a very clean "kill" for them to say you violated Subpart J. No case law whatsoever in your favor. So given this, and understanding how they like to measure ERP (20 meters away from the antenna and 3 meters high), having a nice LOW POWER signal could help with your defense. In contrast slamming 50 watts out of a low antenna just means you are the typical dumb pirate who wants to play "Pump Up The Volume" on federal land.
"To sum up my compassion level, I think we should feed the unwanted animals to the homeless. Or visa versa. Too much attention and money is spent on both."
(A Beautiful Mind)
