FM02 Transmitter Setup

[dyimike]

Thanks IdunBenhad,
It,s difficult to see the jack in your picture. Is this a screw in terminal strip or is it a plug / receptacle? If it's a plug / receptacle are both supplied?

[ukewarrior]

The connector for the power wires is to a screw terminal block.
THIS block then snaps into a mating recepticle that is mounted on the transmitter. So, all you need to provide for power is two wires with about about 1/4" of wire stripped.

Thanks IdunBenhad,
It,s difficult to see the jack in your picture. Is this a screw in terminal strip or is it a plug / receptacle? If it's a plug / receptacle are both supplied?

[IdunBenhad]

Hi:
Here are a couple of pics of the connector. Hope this helps. The plug is supplied, at least it was on mine.

Good Luck.

[dyimike]

Thank you IdunBenhad and ukewarrior,
It looks like I 'll have everything I need to get the transmitter up and running.

[bcstuff]

What do you all think about this antenna?

Rubber AM/FM Antenna from mdfly.com

Description: Rubber antenna for AM/FM radio system.
$7.95 + Shipping (~$4 for me)



Features:

* Frequency Range: 88-108MHz
* Connector: BNC Male
* Max Output Power: <1W
* Impedance: 50Ω
* Antenna Length: 210mm

Looks good to me.... but it is not very DIY.
Bcstuff

[IdunBenhad]

Hi:
bcstuff, the antenna looks ok, but be aware it is a shortened or loaded antenna, intended primarily for receiving. This type of antenna is used on "walkie-talkie" type radios with great success.

You will need a good ground plane for this antenna to work at it's maximum efficiency. This should be good for the Vastelec and other transmitters at 30 mw or so. If fact, this would probably cut down my range I was talking about earlier.

The price is right and with careful installation, you should be able to cover your display very well, providing of course, that your display is with a 200 feet or so of the transmitter.

I don't see any problem with using this antenna.

By the way, I looked at MDFLY and browsed their transmitters. They have what appears to be the Vastelec FM02 for $28.50. I didn't look up the shipping. The only difference I see from their blurb is that the transmitter board doesn't say "Vastelec" of "V-FM02".

[bcstuff]

IdunBenhad, I think I am going to bite the bullet and give it a try. I am ordering their FM trasnmitter and the above posted antenna. I could always build an antenna like yours if it doesn't work.

By the way how do you suggest I make a good ground plane using that antenna?

Thanks,
Brian

Update 12/7/10:
The transmitter from mdfly.com is the exact same one from the group buy. The rubber ducky antenna doesn't work so well.
I made the antenna described by IdunBenhad in the first post and it was a dramatic difference.

[IdunBenhad]

Hi:
A ground plane is nothing more than some conductive material placed beneath the antenna, usually with the antenna in the center of it, but it doesn't have to be in the center. It just works better that way. The ground plane returns the RF current to the antenna. The more current returned, the more efficient the radiator.

You could use a metal coffee can lid, for instance. A metal mount for the antenna on your building could become the ground plane. If you mount your transmitter in a metal box, as I did, the box could be the ground plane.

To get some ideas on a ground plane, take a look at these:

http://www.google.com/images?oe=utf-...=1115&bih=1185

This type of antenna requires small ground planes. A lot of the FM transmitters available are in a metal box and the antenna is connected on the back and they work very well.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Follow up on the above post.

Because the antenna is made with a right angle, it would be better mounted on a box so that the antenna extends upward and is clear of the box or any metal. The "horizontal" part of the antenna is not very long, so it could end up close to a wall or metal, and maybe affect the antenna.

[rdartist]

I've seen it mentioned that a computer psu can be used for power. How close to 12v does the transmitter need? My psu is only putting out 11.72 - 11.74v on the 12v side.

[dirknerkle]

That's plenty close enough. You may want to add a balun on the power line to the transmitter to help with possible hum issues.