Whole House 3.0 Part 15 FM Transmitter Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Limited options exist for persons wishing to have their own low-power FM radio station compliant with the F.C.C.'s Part 15 regulations. Of the many FM transmitters available for purchase, only a handful are legally operable within the United States. Those transmitters claiming to offer "long range" listening almost always transmit in excess of Part 15's limits while also interfering with licensed stations in the form of spurious emissions.
Whole House transmitters are both in compliance of and certified for Part 15 use, unlike the majority of dubious FM transmitters currently populating online marketplaces.
The Whole House 3.0 has had several modifications made to it, changing its appearance and functionality from its predecessor, the Whole House 2.0. Most of the changes are merely cosmetic in nature, though some changes have been made to alter its functionality. The ineffective auto gain controller found on the previous model that did little other than generate confusion and questions of whether it even did anything has since been removed, and an undisclosed and undocumented high-power mode was also added.
The ability to switch the transmitter from stereo to mono audio is an appreciated deviation from the standard fare of low-cost and low-quality transmitters, as is the ability to modify its preemphasis setting to that used in the U.S. or Europe.
In conclusion, it is a transmitter that makes the most of the paltry Part 15 allowances and restrictions. It isn't fair to blame the deficiencies of Part 15 FM broadcasting on it or any other complaint and/or certified transmitter. The Whole House Transmitter's limited range will be adequate for most uses, but you can dismiss plans of encompassing your town with it. Such shortcomings are precisely the motivation behind many people's AM broadcasting pursuits, which is under more liberal (as regards effective broadcast range) governance than FM.
Oddly, somebody with a field strength meter similar to that in use by the F.C.C. recorded measurements of the Whole House transmitter's field strength, only to learn it eclipsed the maximum of 250 microvolts per meter measured at three meters away from the antenna. Take from that what you will.
www.part15.us/f...
Postscript: I'd like to apologize for the minimal sound test of the transmitter; issues of copyright and content ID caused all but a single brief sample to be removed. A test of its sound quality using processed and unprocessed audio sources in the form of a separate video will be forthcoming.
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The pre emphasis makes it sound way better and more commercial
The 2.0 model also has an undocumented high-power mode. There is a switch hidden under a sticker inside the battery compartment.
Brilliant advise. Saved me from purchasing the new version. Flipping the switch got me an extra 50' and much stronger signal.
87.7-87.9 are not part of the FM band in the US and it wouldn’t be legal for this device to transmit on those frequencies. It is part of TV RF channel 6 so if you used 87.7 or 87.9 FM, you could be interfering if you are in an area that has a RF channel 6, such as Philidelphia. Before the digital transition, you could pick up Ch. 6 audio on 87.7 FM and there were FrankenFMs which were low power Ch. 6 TV stations that operated as radio stations on 87.7 FM with message boards or silent movies on the video portion. These FrankenFMs were able to keep broadcasting until a couple of years ago until the FCC came up with a compromise that allowed them to upgrade to ATSC 3.0 while broadcasting analog audio on 87.7 FM.
Thank you for your excellent instructional video. Based on your review I ordered one. I just received mine and it works perfectly. Everything you said was helpful. The high-powered mode is something I never would have figured out.
I ran a cheap Radio Shack FM stereo transmitter kit that was designed to broadcast 100 meters with a stupid short wire...rigged up a tuned quarter-wave copper antenna way up in the air with RG59 as my downlink...2 miles perfect stereo reception, off a 10mW BA1404 chip lol!... I could do some real damage with this one :0)
I just got one today. The connector is not an sma or RP-sma. You can't connect a coax cable because there is no ground to connect the shield to. I found the high power mode increased range by 20% The wire antenna is 11 feet which is to long. The length should be from 26.25 to 31.5" The middle of the band , 98 Mhz is 28.6 inches. I will cut it down and do some range tests. The wire must be kept straight and away from any metal objects.
You need an RP-sma to BNC female adaptor to connect to coax cable or a better antenna. They are cheap on ebay. WiFi routers also use RP-sma connectors.
I just got one! Its not sma or RP-sma. The connector has no ground, the whole connector acts as a center pin. This will prevent anyone from using coax cable to put an antenna outdoors.
The 11 ft. wire is to long and is not resonant to the FM band. I cut it down to a 1/4 wave which is about 28.5 inches. Its much improved range over the stock long wire or the rubber duck antenna. The wire needs to be kept straight and a few feet away from any metal objects. You can tie a string to the end of the wire and tape it to wall or celling to keep it straight. The lengths are from 31.5 inches at 88 Mhz to 26.5 inches at 107.9 Mhz. (28.5" is for 98 Mhz and should work well for the whole band.
Okay, FYI a few things. One, the incessant 60-cycle hum in all these cheap units is much more from poor shielding IN the unit than the power supplies. I tried several various P/S sources including a regulated 6v supply and nothing got rid of it completely. I monitored dead air while moving nearby cables around at right angles to cancel out all the fields I could find, but the only way to really defeat the hum was to run batteries, which of course the unit eats up pretty quick.
Second, that 13-foot or whatever it is wire is nowhere near any resonant FM freq and actually produces spurious images around 92-something if memory serves, I got rid of that image by cutting a couple of feet off, but really the way to defeat that reverse-thread stub is a very simple invention called the Alligator Clip, run onto a 28-30 inch wire. The USB cable acts as a counterpoise.
Third, you'll get a much cleaner signal moving the xmtr *away from the wall* and into open space, the higher the better. I recommend using that belt clip to hold it onto some stiff piece of cardboard or something. Give it room to "breathe" and launch.
And fourth, that hiss you hear will likely disappear if you turn off the stereo generator. Another limitation of cheap Chinese junk. But if you move the antenna into freer space that will probably improve your signal enough so it won't be an issue anyway.
I used to have the WH 2.0, other than the pre-emphasis choice I think it was basically identical. Same overmodulation issues, same undocumented hi-power setting, I think the USB was more standard.
Also have the CCrane, which before the hack could hardly make it across the room, so it needed adjusting. But it does produce an annoying pulsation so I don't use it any more.
Thanks for the tips. I'm having quality issues with this model and my Christmas light show. I saw an image in google search of an alligator clip attached to a metal radio antenna but it doesn't show how to connect to the transmitter. Any suggestions?
For hum, an audio ground loop isolator cable can help. I still have a Radio Shack one that works.
@@frssecurity5411 I have one of those too now that you mention it. Haven't used it in years, I'll generally go to the IL-19. But that's for audio feeds, this is from the power.
Update to this old post: I replaced the CCrane with the next version "2" and the pulsing noise is now gone. Much better.
A factor that determined range is the quality of your receiver and antenna. High power local stations can overload and desensitize your FM tuner across the whole FM band, reducing the effective range of the FM transmitter. The fringe range will always be much greater than the good sounding reliable range.
When you demonstrate a radio (or in this case) the Whole House FM Transmitter, why don't you use TH-cam's copyright free audio library?
I dont think everyone realizes its there.
I had the version 2.0 they are brilliant son has one in his car, there is nothing wrong with power adapter but if in doubt get a 240V if you're in the say Australia or NZ any USB mains adapter would work in a 240V situation these are perfectly legal in NZ & Australia, just stay clear of existing station frequencies
I bought one for a Sirius radio to transmit the signal further --unit didn`t work and customer support worthless. All it did was transmit OVER my satellite radio creating a hum..I was informed by customer service to stop my satellite radio from transmitting to make it work..umm you can`t... they told me they couldn`t help me..nice..beware and save your money
There's a stand for the transmitter, available on the manufacturer's website.
There used to be a secret option to boost the signal and I can't find it anymore.
Mine csme preset with lightening bolt also. I get 3 houses each way. No hum on mine
can you still get the version 2.0? I have one and really like it. I want to get a spare unit just in case this one dies or is the 3.0 version just as good?
great job, thx! i'm gonna pull the trigger and get one! 6 accessories included, plus 3 more freebees, plus $25 off via facebook coupon = $100 + shipping
Excellent review, very informative. Thank you Sir!
excellent review : yes that power supply is terrible creates hum ; there are many others that don't all around its really good unit
I got this to work with an outdoor disc cone antenna from radio shack & got almost 2 miles & no issues they sell adapters for the antenna on eBay. FCC cant do anything if you use an proper antenna as long as you not modify the power output.
DrSysop any chance you can tell me which one you used?
I used an old Disc Cone Antenna from RadioShack & RG -8 Coax put antenna 35 ft above roof.then use an adapter to connect it to this transmitter.
DrSysop not necessarily true. If you have gain in your antenna, it's going to put you over the allowable 250 microvolts at 3 meters. It's a common mistake people make when they buy these Part 15 transmitters for little Johnny for Christmas. Little Johnny adds a souped-up homemade antenna and then congratulations! Your child is now a radio pirate!
Does the transmitter use the same connector as wifi routers/adaptors? They use RP-SMA connectors. You can get adaptors on ebay. I use an RP-SMA to BNC female adaptor to connect my router to coax cable or another antenna.
awesome job. thank you for a great review and info
I have one like this but it goes all the way down to 600mz and my radio goes to 645 mz the lowest sound is good when turning the in put down a bit.
I never had 1 issue with the 2.0 when set up properly
I live in a 2nd story apartment. And this transmitter works far beyond the legal FCC limits. I can hear it almost 2 miles away from my location. The reception is REALLY good, too good. I have not modified the antenna or unit in anyway. This is with the LEGAL antenna provided.
It depends on your receiver, a car usually has a quality receiver and full length roof antenna for best range while a smartphones FM tuner with the headphones as the antenna will be much less range, closer to the 150 feet mark. The fringe range will be greater but will not overpower a commercial FM station even if on the same channel.
Very useful, Thank you!!
The FCC would not certify it if it culd transmit on 87.9...
I don't care about making enemies with the FCC. With current budget cuts and shortages of people, they're pretty powerless nowadays. I say bring it. Good review, but your fear of the FCC is kind of ridiculous.
FCC = BIG BROTHER
😂 even IF the fcc had 100 milion staff members. It cant and would not check every town city or neighborhood for illegal fm transmitters. Not even if they transmit with 50 watt.
Yeah Bluetooth speakers and headphones and Mobile Internet and mobile streaming apps you can get on your smartphone put these whole house FM transmitters out of business. these transmitters would have had more time to shine if they would have come out like in 96 or 97.
Ok, so lets say someone is trying to learn how to connect XM to this and DOESNT HAVE A HALF HOUR TO WATCH SOMEONE BABBLING TO THEIR HAND ON CAMERA. Does anyone have a link to such a video?
Δ 🤣 no doubt
should b like $20 im sure theres a free app on phones for a radio
What do you use this for? Is it to listen to peoples conversations im confused?
it is to allow you to use an FM radio as a speaker for any purpose just by tuning into the station. it's basically a portable radio station
but can i mod it fer a farm ;] uh kidding i found a off brand with no fcc rating but small power save 80 bucks woho
where’d you get such a thing?
This transmitters never wil become leagal in Europe OR Netherlands
This Transmitter output power in U = (P * R)0.5 = (50 * 10-9 * 50)0.5 = 0.00158V )
Ofwel: 1,6mV over 50 Ohm