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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 2, 2017 2:18:55 GMT
Today I took down the AMT-5000 and installed the ProCaster. I have not tuned it yet but was hoping to at least get it on the air. No joy. I was not even hearing a carrier so I put a volt meter to the power terminals in the studio interface and it read zero. I unplugged the power supply from the studio interface and took readings on its output and still zero vdc. So I figure the power supply brick is bad. I then gathered up a couple other power supplies rated with a 12 vdc output. Measuring them on their connector end I show 19 vdc but plugging them into the studio interface I show only from 0.6 to 3.3 vdc on the terminals connecting to the STP output to the ProCaster. I am thinking I have a problem in the STP to the xmtr. Friday I will lay out an entire new cable from the studio to the ProCaster. I hope that resolves the issue. We'll see...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2017 2:29:51 GMT
The ProCaster is extremely easy to tune. One tuning screw, one meter to peak and that's it.
Chez Radio's service is excellent, and second to none. I'm not sure if your ProCaster is new or used, but even if it's used, Chez Radio has a fixed price repair service - you send in the unit, they check it out, fix whatever is wrong, bring it up to specs and then ship it back to you. I did this with a first year of production transmitter which had very low output; they even applied some of the later hardware upgrades, and gave me a new and improved power brick (the older ones do tend to go on you). So if your problem isn't the cable, I'd consider that service.
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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 2, 2017 4:25:27 GMT
David, My Procaster is brand new, bought from Chez a week ago. Due to my recent problems with the AMT-5000 also, I am suspecting the cable, not the Procaster. The ProCaster is extremely easy to tune. One tuning screw, one meter to peak and that's it. Chez Radio's service is excellent, and second to none. I'm not sure if your ProCaster is new or used, but even if it's used, Chez Radio has a fixed price repair service - you send in the unit, they check it out, fix whatever is wrong, bring it up to specs and then ship it back to you. I did this with a first year of production transmitter which had very low output; they even applied some of the later hardware upgrades, and gave me a new and improved power brick (the older ones do tend to go on you). So if your problem isn't the cable, I'd consider that service. |
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Post by Boomer on Jun 2, 2017 5:00:18 GMT
I don't know why Procaster isn't talked about more in the ranks of Part-15, I think others might be more aggressively marketed.
It's the transmitter I recommend for first termers going for a pro, approved transmitter, because it's so easy and includes everything you need.
There's a big antenna loading coil, and as David C. says, just tune one cap with an adjust tool to peak the meter and you're done.
The little meter is even included, mounted right inside of the case, reminding me of what Heathkit used to do, no external volt meter to hold in a high place, or coil taps to change.
Personally I think P-15 beginners are best to build a kit transmitter to learn how it works, find out if they like broadcasting, then graduate to a pro unit if they want to, and I recommend the Procaster.
Boomer
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Post by End80 on Jun 2, 2017 7:03:22 GMT
Only a few hours ago I discovered that since 2010 Yellowstone National Park has been using Procasters in several campgrounds and some other locations, providing both Park information, and couple with weather service receivers to inform those camping. 
Yellowstone had also purchased 12 Rangemasters in 2011, I assume they are being used for the same thing, but haven't found any conformation.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2017 12:50:08 GMT
Reference Tone for Your Virtual Toolkit20-minute tone at Maximum Level for checking line level HBR TONE 440Note: the KDX website is not always online. If the link fails, try again later.
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Post by Druid Hills Radio on Jun 2, 2017 12:52:57 GMT
I don't know why Procaster isn't talked about more in the ranks of Part-15, I think others might be more aggressively marketed. It's the transmitter I recommend for first termers going for a pro, approved transmitter, because it's so easy and includes everything you need. There's a big antenna loading coil, and as David C. says, just tune one cap with an adjust tool to peak the meter and you're done. The little meter is even included, mounted right inside of the case, reminding me of what Heathkit used to do, no external volt meter to hold in a high place, or coil taps to change. Personally I think P-15 beginners are best to build a kit transmitter to learn how it works, find out if they like broadcasting, then graduate to a pro unit if they want to, and I recommend the Procaster. Boomer Tim in Bovey uses one to cover his town and the town adjacent to Bovey. |
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Post by part15engineer on Jun 2, 2017 13:13:08 GMT
i have 2 here i use one to cover the apartment complex i live in and the adjacent complex to me. also procaster is very good about after market support. Gerry at chez radio is helping diagnose a bad procaster and will ship me parts when we figure out what is needed from the diagnostic procedure he is guiding me through via email and they procaster is more easy to work on than the rangemaster.
also if you would like to part with that AMT-5000 Jim Henry (or if anyone else has a working one they would like to part with) i would be happy to send you a PayPal of reasonable price and lighten your load.
i have experience with those and would like to get another one.
i would order straight from Phil, but he is apparently MIA.
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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 3, 2017 0:27:38 GMT
Thanks Carl. I have saved it for future needs. Reference Tone for Your Virtual Toolkit20-minute tone at Maximum Level for checking line level HBR TONE 440Note: the KDX website is not always online. If the link fails, try again later. |
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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 3, 2017 0:32:54 GMT
I don't want to sell mine at least not right now, but you might check with Patrick at ontheair3.com. i have 2 here i use one to cover the apartment complex i live in and the adjacent complex to me. also procaster is very good about after market support. Gerry at chez radio is helping diagnose a bad procaster and will ship me parts when we figure out what is needed from the diagnostic procedure he is guiding me through via email and they procaster is more easy to work on than the rangemaster. also if you would like to part with that AMT-5000 Jim Henry (or if anyone else has a working one they would like to part with) i would be happy to send you a PayPal of reasonable price and lighten your load. i have experience with those and would like to get another one. i would order straight from Phil, but he is apparently MIA. |
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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 3, 2017 0:44:39 GMT
Today I resolved the cabling issue and powered it up. I had not even tuned it yet but it sounded great all over my 5 acres of property. I then took a test drive and I could at least hear the signal at several locations a mile away, and the range of good coverage was about 50% more than the best I did with the AMT-5000. I then went up the hill to tune it. The meter reading doubled from where it was. Unfortunately right after that the conductors pulled out of their terminals when I went to move the xmtr slightly. It took me almost an hour to get those 5 conductors connected and locked down yesterday. I wasn't up to doing it again today especially since it was not bright enough for me to guide those tiny wires back into those tiny terminals. I'll get back on it tomorrow but so far I am pretty impressed with the Procaster. Today I took down the AMT-5000 and installed the ProCaster. I have not tuned it yet but was hoping to at least get it on the air. No joy. I was not even hearing a carrier so I put a volt meter to the power terminals in the studio interface and it read zero. I unplugged the power supply from the studio interface and took readings on its output and still zero vdc. So I figure the power supply brick is bad. I then gathered up a couple other power supplies rated with a 12 vdc output. Measuring them on their connector end I show 19 vdc but plugging them into the studio interface I show only from 0.6 to 3.3 vdc on the terminals connecting to the STP output to the ProCaster. I am thinking I have a problem in the STP to the xmtr. Friday I will lay out an entire new cable from the studio to the ProCaster. I hope that resolves the issue. We'll see... Attachments:
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Post by mark on Jun 3, 2017 3:47:18 GMT
God to hear it works OK and you have good results.
Mark
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Post by Boomer on Jun 3, 2017 5:42:26 GMT
Cool, is that the Procaster at the top of the pole to the right of that 4-wheeler? I can zoom the picture up in Firefox and almost see the thinner antenna there and what looks like the Procaster's case.
Not to be the annoying tech nerd, but it looks like the transmitter is pretty close to the tree line in back. That kind of foliage might put a hit on your signal, something I found from personal experience with a setup on my patio.
If you got the range you want it's fine, but electrically, the signals from a small loaded whip are at a high impedance, and can be absorbed by any nearby objects, even foliage.
Boomer
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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 3, 2017 6:46:42 GMT
It's actually about 40' from the antenna to the tree line in that direction, which is not the direction I want to go. In the opposite direction it's clear for several hundred feet. Cool, is that the Procaster at the top of the pole to the right of that 4-wheeler? I can zoom the picture up in Firefox and almost see the thinner antenna there and what looks like the Procaster's case. Not to be the annoying tech nerd, but it looks like the transmitter is pretty close to the tree line in back. That kind of foliage might put a hit on your signal, something I found from personal experience with a setup on my patio. If you got the range you want it's fine, but electrically, the signals from a small loaded whip are at a high impedance, and can be absorbed by any nearby objects, even foliage. Boomer |
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Post by jimhenry2000 on Jun 4, 2017 2:57:58 GMT
Today I fired up the Procaster and was very impressed! I am getting a good mile of solid coverage in most every direction. Sunday I will go out and strip the last 3 inches of each ground radial then bury them in the ground a couple inches. I will also replace one bad radial and may add a few more. If my daughter's boyfriend is around I'll try to get him to support a step ladder so I can re-tune the transmitter at its current location. Overall, the antenna of the Procaster is at least 10' lower than that of the AMT-5000 which is another reason why I am impressed! It's actually about 40' from the antenna to the tree line in that direction, which is not the direction I want to go. In the opposite direction it's clear for several hundred feet. Cool, is that the Procaster at the top of the pole to the right of that 4-wheeler? I can zoom the picture up in Firefox and almost see the thinner antenna there and what looks like the Procaster's case. Not to be the annoying tech nerd, but it looks like the transmitter is pretty close to the tree line in back. That kind of foliage might put a hit on your signal, something I found from personal experience with a setup on my patio. If you got the range you want it's fine, but electrically, the signals from a small loaded whip are at a high impedance, and can be absorbed by any nearby objects, even foliage. Boomer |
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