The basic RHZ radio station is what radio enthusiasts call micro-radio. According to FCC regulations, individuals are allowed 100 milliwatt of transmission power as long as there is no interference to other licensed stations. Listed below are the basic legal and technical guidelines for micro-radio stations, some suggested transmitters, and how to hook up to the network.

THE LAW

The transmitters recommended for use with RHZ Radio are classified as “intentional radiators” and their operation is covered by Part 15 of the FCC rules. They are on a pdf file from the FCC here. I have done my best to summarize all the needed key points, but as you are an independent broadcaster, you are responsible for finding out all the regulations first hand. The RHZ Network is not responsible for how you chose to run your station and its legal and technical compliance.

Your transmitter is limited to one miliwatt of power or 200 feet. As long as your transmitter is 100 milliwatt or lower (as all the recommended transmitters are), you can broadcast farther than 200 feet- most of the reccomended transmitters can transmit up to 1/4 mile, some up to 2 miles. This rage is dependant on several variables, and will require some experimentation on your part with antennas, grounding, and installation to maximize your range. Once the internet infrastructure is complete, we will focus our research on building the broadcast network. Look for more information in the spring and summer of 2005.

An individual is only allowed to own and operate a maximum of five Part 15 transmitters. So if you are participating in RHZ Radio, you must purchase and operate your own transmitter (s). This means that you are responsible for the broadcasts of your transmitter and it’s legal and technical compliance with FCC regulation. You are NOT responsible for what anyone else does with their transmitters on RHZ Radio.

Your transmitter must not interfere with any licensed broadcasters or TV reception. So RHZ Radio must take place on an empty AM station, like AM 1680 in LA and Orange County. And if a licensed station is interfering with you, you must accept it or move to a clearer station. If you are having problems and want to move to a new station contact RHZ with your new location and we will post it on the website so people can find you.

THE GEAR

The simplest and cheapest of all the transmitters is a kit by Ramsey Electronics that begins at about $30 (not including a case and antenna). This is a very easy beginner’s electronics kit that you can assemble yourself. The other benefit of this transmitter is that for about $15 more you can buy it already assembled (but still without case or antenna). As you might expect, it is also the weakest of the transmitters. The signal can “drift” in and out a little, but it is great for beginners and will cover up to 1/4 mile. It is available here: http://www.hobbytron.net/R-AM-1.html

For about $100 (includes an indoor case, but not an antenna) Ramsey Electronics also produces a “professional” kit that you can assemble. This is more complicated, and will require between 6-8 hours to assemble. The signal is more solid and seems to more easily reach the 1/4 mile transmission range. http://www.hobbytron.net/R-AM-25.html

Remember, these are kits and you must put them together yourself, which will be a little work and require some problem solving. You will also need to build an antenna- see the installation part for more information on antennas.

You will need some simple tools like a soldering gun, some rosin core solder, available at Hobbytron http://www.hobbytron.net/soldersupsub.html or your local Radio Shack. Electronics experience is recommended, but I would never discourage some novice experimentation!

For both kits, I will hold free assembly workshops with special celebrity guests in to be announced dates in September and October at the New Chinatown Barbershop. Please check the website calendar for more information! Or send me an e-mail to show me you are interested, here.

For about $500, there is a preassembled transmitter with special technology to maximize distance. The manufacturer says it has been reported to send a signal of up to 6 miles, though most commonly you will get between1/4 to 2 miles. Rangemaster has agreed that If you mention The RHZ Amateur Radio Network, the indoor economy model is available for $440 and the outdoor economy model is available for $560. This is more than a 30% discount from the original price, and is only available if you first contact me with all your technical support questions at here. The website for purchase is http://www.am1000rangemaster.com/. This option is the easiest, most powerful, but also the most expensive. If you are intimidated by building your own and want a high quality transmission, consider going in on a Rangemaster with some friends, family, or neighbors- a network is a community after all.
For all of these transmitters, you will need to make sure that you set them to AM 1680 if you are located in Los Angeles and Orange County. You will have to decide this as you are assembling the kits or before you order your Rangemaster.

Your transmitter is completely your own radio micro-station. The RHZ network does not exert any control over your participation, and it is up to you to follow FCC rules and regulations. You are welcome to play whatever you like, whenever you like over your transmitter. However, there will be a steady stream of continuous content playing over the RHZ Radio internet network, and I encourage you to broadcast that content whenever you are willing and able.

GETTING AN ANTENNA

If you purchased any of the Ramsey Kits, you are going to need to build you an antenna. If you purchased a Rangemaster, you are most likely going to buy the recommended antenna from your local Radio Shack.

The maximum distance an antenna can reach from your transmitter is 10 feet. This does NOT mean that you can have a transmitter in your house and a 10 foot antenna on the roof, as the distance between the transmitter and the base of your roof antenna counts as part of the distance. You CAN make your antenna more powerful by coiling antenna wire around a 10 foot pole, this means you may have a 30’ antenna, but is not more than 10 feet away from the transmitter. Get it?

Wrapping an antenna wire around a pipe is called “loading” an antenna. Very specific directions are included in your Ramsey instruction manual, and I recommend following them.

As I have more specific antenna designs, I will publish them here.

HOOKING UP TO THE NETWORK

In order to hook up your transmitter to the network, you will have to first start streaming RHZ content. Go to the RHZ homepage and follow the listen link, that should start your computer playing RHZ content. Now plug your transmitter into the headphone jack. You may have to go to Radio Shack to get the right adaptors and cables. Now turn on your transmitter, and you should be broadcasting RHZ Radio on air!

INSTALLING YOUR TRANSMITTER

Simply put, the higher, the more open, the better. You’ll have to do some testing and experimenting. You can start by just placing the transmitter on your desk next to your computer. Tune your car radio to 1680 and drive around your neighborhood to see what kind of signal you are sending. If you are not very impressed, try running a cable from your computer, out your window and place the whole unit on your roof or on a porch. Make sure the casing and antenna are secured and weather proof, you don’t want to loose your hard work.

QUESTIONS, SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY

Currently RHZ Radio is developing a bulletin board so that radio enthusiasts can develop a communty to share tips, raise questions, and compare notes. Keep checking back, I expect everyting to be up and running in early October. Until then, you can contact me with questions here.