FM Transmitter Kits Information
FM (frequency modulation) transmitter kits are available for relatively little outlay. Be prepared for some technical construction work before you can begin transmitting, though. Generally, a kit should contain: instructions (possibly THE most important component!), a PCB (printed circuit board) and components. Additionally, the kit may include a case of some sort and a suitable antenna. Be warned that while some kits are aimed squarely at the beginner, with no previous experience or great technical skill required, others are aimed at the advanced amateur or pro/semi-pro user. A basic transmitter kit, suitable for the beginner, is the simple mono transmitter such as the 50 mW (fifty milliwatt) model sold by Veronca. With very few components, no ICs and plenty of space on the PCB, this model will not offer too much of a challenge even to those new to soldering. Once constructed, the kit can be powered from any DC (direct current) source between 6 and 16 volts. This might be a cell or battery or a mains adapter. Many users find a suitable adapter from old consumer electronics devices, such as mobile telephones.
Once powered up, the Veronica 50mW mono FM transmitter has a range of 500m (1600') and can be tuned between 88 and 108 MHz (megahertz). Any line-level input can be used as a signal. The ease of construction and ease of use of such kits is matched by a low price point of around 50 dollars. This makes them ideal for home projects, such as creating a local community station (subject to local law, of course), wire-free connection from MPŁ players, CD players and cassette players to car stereos or home hi-fi systems or as part of a home made communication system by combining cheap radio receivers The basic system also comes in stereo and PLL (phase locked loop) versions. Many of the kits come with soldering guides. Even cheaper than the Veronica kits are the CanaKit FM transmitter kits, available for less than 15 dollars. These are usually supplied without components other than special pieces like the PCB, battery holder, etc. Generally, they are less flexible than the Veronica kits, with each kit being targeted at a particular purpose. The plain transmitter kit, for example is similar in physical and tuning range to the Veronica 50mW kit, but is built to use an in-built microphone as input and a battery for power. Anyone with any experience in electronics or radio would be able to alter these aspects quite simply, but many would consider the extra effort in a less than favorable light. Also in this range from CanaKit is the FM telephone transmitter. This is a very small transmitter that takes its power and input signal from a telephone cable. That is, it needs to be patched into the telephone cable, at which point it begins to transmit both sides of any conversation on the predetermined FM frequency, allowing anyone to listen in. Other CanaKit kits have other purposes. The wireless microphone kit, for example, is a small circuit with integral microphone and battery holder so that it can be used as a radio microphone. Any FM receiver can then be used as the amplification element of this home-brew PA system. |
