AM Radio Help?

Question

I don't want to do a intenet radio station, I want to create an AM station for my school. And I don't want to pay the mulcher money, I just need a jump start guide. I know it's tough, but if you have a free link or something to a help website please leave it.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Carrier current will probably the best bet.  The last time I looked, the application fee for a AM broadcast station on medium wave is about $3000.  That's not counting the construction of the facilities, engineering, etc...  It's quite expensive, much more than FM.  Carrier current doesn't require a license.

Low Power is also a good idea, however the FCC hasn't opened the window for Low Power applications in a LONG time and probably won't for a while.  Currently, they do not have a time posted for when the next window will open.

Answer 2

Admire gearbox tremendously and welcome Geoff to our side of the site (seen some great answers from him today) - our tekkies! Where would we be without them.

But neither of them mention LPFM. That may be an option for an educational institution, especially if staff's willing to fill out some paperwork and pay a more reasonable fee. Low Power FM may be the answer.

-a guy named duh.

Answer 3

First of all, get your FCC license.

Answer 4

Depends how far you want the station to go in range if you have to be licensed or not. (This info is for the USA)

There are legal part 15 stations (broadcast stations not needing to be licensed that will usually put out a mile or two..pretty much covering a campus guaranteed if the antenna is installed high enough) broadcasting thru the airwaves using kits with either add on antennas or antennas you can install.

http://part15.us/

There is also Carrier current stations that are part 15 (unlicensed) stations that use the school's power grid to broadcast the station

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_cur...

If any more distance than that is wanted, your school would have to file with the FCC.. and you will probably be out of school by the time the FCC acts on your application (as most stations I've been seeing have been 5 year ordeals.. plus much money upfront in investigation and engineering fees that the FCC requires you to spend now to get a site approved)

So your options are pretty limited on-air with distance.

Some local AM stations may want to donate time on their station to your school if approached about it however.

Answer 5

This web page should answer ALL your questions.....

good luck with your station operation.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/lowpwr.html

Answer 6

You don't have to have a license.  There are provisions for unlicensed broadcasting and if you're only looking to cover school grounds and maybe a mile around then I wouldn't bother procuring a license.  If you wish to have something higher power, you'll have to get a license and this will cost you a LOT of money, even for a non-commercial educational broadcast license.  All equipment must be type approved, there's annual fees involved, application fee, etc.  Not something for the faint of heart but if you can get the school to fund it then go for it.  

For legal unlicensed operation, you're limited to 100mW on the AM broadcast band, must not interfere with licensed users, and theres limitations on the size and characteristics of the transmitting antenna.  Since you'd be operating from a school, the regulations may allow you to transmit more than 100mW provided that the field strength of the signal doesn't exceed 24000/(frequency in kHz) microvolts per meter as measured around the perimeter of the school's property.

Here's an AM transmitter you can build yourself for legal unlicensed operation.  This would make a great learning experience.  Ramsey kits are very easy to build.  This would give you a real jump start.

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin...