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Post by Admin on Mar 30, 2017 21:43:19 GMT
The idea of solar powered transmitters has been kicked around at a few forums. Here is a turnkey system. Probably to costly for a Part 15 application when scaled down to the required power level but maybe other places could use this. This does show how it can be done...
Solar Powered FM Click the above link to visit their website. |
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Post by thelegacy on Mar 30, 2017 23:39:29 GMT
Honestly you could run multiple transmitters and run them at very low power. I am willing to bet you could get it down to like 1 milliwatt. It says in the specifications that you can get it down to 87.5 megahertz. So if a hobby band was ever created for 87.7 and 87.9 megahertz you would be doing quite well.
We can only hope but anyways I like the idea of a solar powered transmitter as you could run these with some sort of STL and be able to save quite a bit of money.
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Post by Boomer on Mar 31, 2017 1:10:44 GMT
Nice, I've long thought of having the whole transmitter at the antenna in a box like that, no coax line loss. Pro Part-15 transmitters and things like wi-fi outdoor access points use POE, Power Over Ethernet, so why not an LPFM transmitter using it?
There are solar powered street lights that have panels like this one, gathering light during the day and turning on when it gets dark. Sure, there are stake lights that do this in yards and flag lights, etc., but the street lamps have a bigger panel like the solar FM transmitter and put out more light.
Going to that site was like watching a Rubik's Cube puzzle demonstration, panels on the page moving up-down and side to side. On top of that it said my browser was out of fashion. I guess we're to understand that they are a top-notch company.
Boomer
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Post by jimhenry2000 on May 6, 2017 3:27:20 GMT
I think the Harbor Freight system of three 15w solar panels and charge controller, adding their 35 amp-hr deep cycle battery, SHOULD be sufficient to power my AMT-5000 as I have a location that gets good sun. I may very well try that in the future. It might conk out if I go through a stretch of several rainy cloudy days. The system would cost about $200. Nice, I've long thought of having the whole transmitter at the antenna in a box like that, no coax line loss. Pro Part-15 transmitters and things like wi-fi outdoor access points use POE, Power Over Ethernet, so why not an LPFM transmitter using it? There are solar powered street lights that have panels like this one, gathering light during the day and turning on when it gets dark. Sure, there are stake lights that do this in yards and flag lights, etc., but the street lamps have a bigger panel like the solar FM transmitter and put out more light. Going to that site was like watching a Rubik's Cube puzzle demonstration, panels on the page moving up-down and side to side. On top of that it said my browser was out of fashion. I guess we're to understand that they are a top-notch company. Boomer |
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Post by thelegacy on May 6, 2017 14:36:37 GMT
This could be a great way to get your AM transmitter in a location far away from obstacles and yet have enough room for some great grounding and a decent antenna. In a good location you may have a range of a few miles.
Let us know how this does and rather or not you use a Barix box or some other way to link the transmitter to your studio and yet have a good solid link.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2017 15:29:20 GMT
Two Towers in 2 Locations
There is a specific place I'm building my AM tower but it gets very little sunlight.
There is another spot maybe 90-feet away that gets plenty of sunlight.
Will the solar panels drive 90-feet of cable?
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on May 6, 2017 17:22:06 GMT
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Post by jimhenry2000 on May 6, 2017 21:59:52 GMT
The link DHR posted should tell you what you need. DC has much greater voltage drop than AC given the same gauge wire. That's why Edison lost out to Westinghouse in how America got powered. So you will need some combination of heavier gauge wire and the right amount of DC voltage to end up with 12 vdc at the transmitter. Two Towers in 2 LocationsThere is a specific place I'm building my AM tower but it gets very little sunlight. There is another spot maybe 90-feet away that gets plenty of sunlight. Will the solar panels drive 90-feet of cable? |
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Post by jimhenry2000 on May 6, 2017 22:07:46 GMT
Pasadena Networks has a lot more choices if you want to "roll your own" system. www.wlanparts.com/solar-power-systems/This could be a great way to get your AM transmitter in a location far away from obstacles and yet have enough room for some great grounding and a decent antenna. In a good location you may have a range of a few miles. Let us know how this does and rather or not you use a Barix box or some other way to link the transmitter to your studio and yet have a good solid link. |
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