The InfoRadio FM-250 Stereo Transmitter
Since the
1950's, technology has been such that FM radio has dominated the airwaves.
Advertisers prefer FM over AM for obvious reasons: clearer signal, stereo
capability, and more efficient local marketability. Yes, AM stereo does exist
but so few car radios are equipped with the proper decoding chip and so few
stations actually broadcast in AM stereo. Prices for startup FM stereo stations
easily soar in to the hundreds of thousands and even stretch into the millions
of dollars. What if, for a few hundred bucks, you could start your very own
FM stereo radio station? Is this possible? Is this legal? The answer is yes
to both because the FCC rules and the InfoRadio FM-250 transmitter makes everything
possible!
|
Factory
Specifications
|
The
FM-250
|
- Transmits
88.1-107.9 MHz
- FM Stereo
or Mono
- One Year
Warranty
- Stereo Line
Level Inputs
- External
Antenna Jack
- 18"
Telescoping Antenna
- AC Adapter
Included
- Fixed Or
Mobile Operation
|
|
What Would I Do With
My Own Radio Station?
Aside from
the proverbial 1001+ uses that I'll mention a bit later, I have used an FM-250
at home to transmit my favorite music all over with just a CD player. The
advantage of this method creates something akin to "wireless" speakers.
With one central music source (i.e. CD, cassette, computer, etc.), you can
broadcast on an unassigned frequency your favorite tunes to any available
radio in the immediate area. This is great for washing your car, grilling
outside on the barbecue or simply having your music filling every room in
your dwelling without carting a CD from room to room.
Professional
(Money Making) Uses
Commercial
FM radio stations make big $$$ selling advertising space on their frequencies
and so can you. Whether you choose to create your own ads or purchase professionally
voiced productions, local advertising can be quite a profitable business.
Since it's your own station, you set the prices, play times and music.
The InfoRadio
Concept
So you've
decided that the FM-250 is for you, but your still a little fuzzy on what
to do next. The InfoRadio concept is very simple, just break down the tasks
into sections:
- Purchase a transmitter
- Choose your sound source
- Pick a frequency
- Acquire a voiced production
- Decide who your target
audience is
- Do a site survey
- Install your unit
Now, just
sit back and watch the checks roll in! InfoRadio is not a pyramid or get rich
quick scheme. Some research and hard work is required. To be successful, you
must be able to sell air time or rent the unit to another party for a fee.
Of course, personal use can just be plain fun if extra cash isn't what you're
looking for...
Who's
Actually Used This Thing?
Now we get
to the 1001+ uses I mentioned previously. Realistically, there really are
almost unlimited uses for a transmitter. Because the entire package runs on
12 volts or less (i.e. 3 volt CD players), full mobile installations are a
reality. Imagine advertising your business while sitting in traffic and passersby
tune in after glancing at your magnetic sign affixed to the rear or sides
of your vehicle. Personally, I've overseen/sold/setup the FM-250 at many locations,
some of which are:
- Burger King (Drive
Through Advertising)
- July 4th Fireworks
Simulcast For Westerville, OH
- Cedarville College
radio station (Cedarville, OH)
- Dairy Queen (Drive
Through Advertising)
- Home Sales (A Goldmine
For Realtors)
- Campground Weekend
Retreats (Parking Info)
- Outdoor Sporting Activities
(Local College Cross-country Meets)
We see that all drive
through businesses and home sales stand to benefit the most from the sales
or rental of a personal transmitter. Since there are countless establishments
of this type, the revenue potential is limitless.
How Far Does It Go?
For the technically or
graphically oriented, please visit the range
and rules section of InfoRadio for an exact explanation. For the non-techie
bunch, suffice it to say that the unit requires no license to operate because
it is classified by the FCC as a "micro" power device. Similar to
an inexpensive walkie talkie in power output, your range will depend upon
three things: transmitter antenna choice, receiver quality, and atmospheric
conditions. Because these conditions vary minute by minute, so will transmitter
reception. On an average setup here's a table of coverage using all three
antenna options. The 18" telescoping antenna is included with the FM-250
and the two additional external antenna options are the LRDA (Long
Range Dipole Antenna) and the FMMA (FM Magnetic
Mount Antenna).
|
Antenna
Option
|
Reception
Diameter
|
%
Increase
|
|
18"
Telescoping
|
1500
Feet
|
N/A
|
|
FMMA
|
3000
Feet
|
200%
|
|
LRDA
|
6000
Feet
|
400%
|
About The Designer
Of InfoRadio
For those who've been
past patrons of TargetPC, you already know me and my work--at least in print.
My name is William Yaple and I reside in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio called
Worthington. I've been FCC licensed for 20 years and handcraft the entire
InfoRadio series of products. Each item is painstakingly built and tested
to strict guidelines before leaving my workshop. To date, I have a zero
(that's right, zero) percent failure rate. My products are designed to last,
be maintenance free, and most importantly, work as advertised.
Whether you're interested
in a transmitter for personal or professional use, why not check out the InfoRadio
website? It's not complicated and lists pricing for almost any interested
party. I hope that you've enjoyed this small section of my life's work--to
empower people with important information to make us all better consumers.
My TargetPC articles accomplish this task for the computer industry and InfoRadio
provides small communities with personalized local information.
William
Yaple
InfoRadio
04/12/00
