How to start a simple AM Radio Station

Have you ever dream of running your very own broadcast station? With today current technology, everyone can run or start their private radio station using simple to install Am transmitter. All you ever need is an audio mixer, Computer with application especially made for online or radio broadcast such as OTS and others. I still consider simplicity is the best. Below are a brief explaination of AM transmitter named Procaster, which I considered to be one of the best in the market today.

Overview

The Procaster™ system comprises an outdoor weatherproof transmitter with side-mounted 102 inch long, 3-section aluminum antenna (the lower part of the antenna can be seen in the above picture), and a Studio Interface that accepts any audio from sources such as iPod™, computer, mixer, tape deck etc.

Audio sources connect via a standard 3.5mm stereo jack and power for the entire system is provided by an AC wall adapter or other 12 volt power source. For remote locations, the entire system can be run from a small solar installation where no power is available.

Sturdy construction

Welded steel weatherproof enclosure with stainless steel hardware for long life. The side-mounted 102 inch aluminum antenna is lightweight and sturdy thanks to its dual mounting system and stays vertical even in strong winds for optimum transmission. The Procaster™ system is a quality product designed, manufactured and supported in North America and is built to last.

Great performance

Low distortion, hi-fi audio frequency response delivers excellent low bass response and BIG sound just like commercial broadcast stations. Performance exceeds most AM radio receivers.

Built-in Audio Processor

No need to purchase additional complicated and expensive audio processors and signal conditioners - the Procaster™ includes built-in audio processing and limiting, saving you hundreds in additional equipment costs and saving you install space. Sound dynamics can be easily tailored to suit your listening preference and best of all, it's simple to set up with no technical knowledge required.

System Includes

• Procaster™ Transmitter

• Studio Interface

• 50ft shielded 4-conductor connecting cable

• AC wall adapter

• Tuning tool

• Mounting hardware

• Easy to follow instructions

Well, having said that, what really important is the desire, the interest to start and run radio station and let not think too much about the technology because the technology is here to stay. What you want is the content, what you want to provide to your listener. If you provide crap content, chances are you will not going to make it and very soon you will lose listener and end up going no way...believe me...the cost below US$700.00

5 IN 1 AUTORANGE DIGITAL MULTIMETER

MS8209  5 IN 1 AUTORANGE DIGITAL MULTIMETER
FEATURES
• Secondary injection molding case • Auto range • Data hold • Relative measurement • Back light • Auto power off • DC Voltage: 0.4/4/40/400/600V ± 0.7% • AC Voltage: 4/40/400/600V ± 0.8% • Resistance: 400/4K/40K/400K/4M Ω± 1.2% 40M Ω± 2.0% • Capacitance: 4n/40n/400n/4μ/40μ/200μF ±3.0% • Frequency: 10/100/1K/10K/100KHz ±2.0% • Duty cycle: 0.1%-99.9% ±3.0% • Temperature: -20°C-400°C ±3.0% (0.1°C) -20°C-1000°C ±3.0% (1°C) • Humidity: 30% - 95%RH ±5.0% • Light: 4000Lux/40000Lux ±5.0% • Sound level: 35 - 100dB ± 4dB • Continuity test • Diode test • Power: 1.5V(LR44) x 2 Having a good , accurate and reliable measuring test gear is important since it will determine the proper functionality of the electronic project that we working on. If the reading or measurement is unreliable so do the outcome of the circuit we have designed. This test gear is impressive in term of it features but when I go through the manual, I am disappointed to find out how little info provided in the manual. The manufacturer should have provided more info. Here are one example of one of the features that I considered important : 21 SOUND LEVEL (dB) MEASURING WARNING To avoid damage to the meter, input plug can not connect with any electric signal. 4.21.1 Set the transform switch at the dB range position. 4.21.2 Move the sensor in front of the meter to the sound source in a horizontal position. 4.21.3 The ‘LCD’ display will show the current sound level (dB). NOTE: •The Fast response is suitable to measure sudden bursts and peak values from sound source. • Strong wind (over 10m/sec.) striking the microphone call cause misreading for measurement in windy locations, a windscreen should be used in front of microphone.

Passive Microphone Mixer

I figured out this circuit when a friend of mine was asking how to connect 2 microphones into a single channel small audio mixer (behringer Small Mixer). Basically what the circuit does is to combine both microphone signal (unbalanced input) and feed them into single (unbalanced) output. I’m not sure whether this will work and whether it is necessary to join A and B with 10K resistor (will it short circuit the output?) but, hey, you can only know when you try them. Guess what? Yes or No. In actual fact, it doesn't short circuit, the circuit has been tested and currently in used at the Government Radio Station.

PORTABLE MINI GUITAR AMPLIFIER

METEO -45MP

This is the big brother of the tiny guitar amplifier (previously posted at LucnSam Electronics) designed,  made and supply by LucnSam Eletronics. It measured 4" x 2" x 1.6" and sound almost 3db louder than the tiny amp. It still use 9V battery to operate and headphone socket is features in this model so you can practice in peace and also a DC external 9v supply input.

The next model to come very soon will have 3 Band EQ to add spice to amp as well as effect processor such flanger, Metal, Reverb and chorus.

Humanoid Robot

The new Japanese humanoid robot HRP-4C displays a range of emotions (good luck discerning what they are) during a press conference in suburban Tokyo this week. Naturally, plenty of paparazzi were on hand.
(Credit: AFP Photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno)

This is very impressive. The HRP-4C is designed to look and move like human. The robot can performs more than basic human movement. The robot is being designed as 5-foot (ish), dark-haired creation to look like an average Japanese woman between the ages of 19 and 29. HRP-4C has 30 motors in her body that allow her to walk and move its arms and 8 facial motors for blinking, smiling, and expressing emotions akin to anger and surprise. The Robot is for now has limited usage except talk, smile, move, walk, look pretty. The robot is not yet ready to help with daily chores. So, if you are thinking to hire or buy this robot to help you do your work, just forget about it.

DIY TINY GUITAR AMPLIFIER

METEO - 45SP

 This is the first product produced and designed by LucnSam Electronics. It is a Small mini Guitar Amplifier (3.3" x 2.1" x 1.1"). It has one volume control, 1/4 mono jack, LED power on/off, 1.6" speakers and powered by one 9V battery. This product will be on sale soon at http://lucnsam.blogspot.com.

Free Portable Audio Editor

I have been using Audacity since 2003 and it has been going through several updates and the latest version can be downloaded at . However I kind of annoyed by the functionality of the latest version of Audacity. It somehow difficult to install and it required some plug in which is quite troublesome to get it installed properly. Even though you managed to get through it keeps asking for other plug in or it prompted you something like “your plug in has expired, please download latest version”. To be honest with you I can’t be bother.
DOWNLOAD THE AUDACITY PORTABLE

Then, the Audacity Portable version emerged. I have little doubt about this version but what the heck, I will give it a go. I am impressed, it is more than I have expected. It is one of the best version of Audacity I have ever used before. It is very handy, full fledge audio editor packaged as a portable app which give you the convenient to take your audio files along with everything you need to edit and record on the go. Since it is portable you can saved it in a thumbdrive, USB Flash drive, IPod, portable HD, CD, DVD. It is basically self content app which you can use on any computer without leaving any personal information behind.


Some of the features of Audacity Portable are:


• Record live audio.


• Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.


• Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files.


• Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.


• Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

Again, I am truly impress with it functionality as a portable app and best of all, it FREE. What more can you ask for. Now you can bring along your Audio Editor with you everywhere you go.

Visit Nasa City

This is very interesting site. It about a city where most of the items or technology used is of NASA technology or space technology. You can rotate the city by clicking the direction arrow and click on the specific building such as grocery, medical and it will zoom into the building and show you all the items, equipment or instrument using or somehow related to technology used by Nasa. Amazing...

Which Shure Microphone Type suit you best?

This is quite informative site especially for those want to know more about the type of Shure microphone they intend to buy. Basically this site uses an interactive tool where you have the option to choose and compare between microphones and best of all it comes with audio sample captured by the microphones.

It is a complete reference for the current shure series of microphones. You can even print out the specific specifications of your chosen microphones. Unlike other microphones site I have visited, nothing compare to Shure site in terms of convenient, descriptive and completeness of information. Well done Shure.