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Hardware for a Low-Powered Talk Radio Stations?

Posted by Cliff on from the vocals-over-amplitude-modulation dept.

stevenso asks: "I would like to set up a low power radio station (on the cheap) that people could call up and discuss topics. To make it mostly hands-off (ie. I don't have to be there to pick up the phone) I was thinking of using a few voice modems and send the discussion via a sound card to a transmitter. Does anyone know if there is a software package that can handle multiple voice modems, setup a teleconference (mix the signals), and send it out as audio? Can you think of any other solution like using some sort of auto-answering/auto-conferencing system or VOIP or a way to conference cell phone signals? Please keep in mind this is a technical question not a question about FCC regulations."

3 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. hmm by ReidMaynard · · Score: 2, Informative

    If I were to do this, I would look into an older, low end PBX, where yo can set a default confrence call mode; then just stream the output to a traditional radio transmitter.

    I can't wait for all the bathroom noises, slanderous statements, not to mention the "F*CK YOU" callers.

    --
    -- www.globaltics.net

    Political discussion for a new world

  2. Transmitter equipment. by Andy+Dodd · · Score: 3, Informative

    Stay FAR away from Broadcast Warehouse (http://www.broadcastwarehouse.com/)

    Note to self: Call these guys to figure out why the order we placed 2 months ago for some hardware to use for testing purposes hasn't arrived yet...

    Probably you're best off dealing with something built from a kit such as the Ramsey kits (I can't remember how good the Ramsey kits are though - I believe some of em' are subpar but have plenty of modifications that improve them drastically.) or other kit manufacturers.

    If you buy from one of the main players in the broadcast industry (BE, Harris, Nautel, etc.) you're going to be spending major $$$.

    --
    retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
  3. flow by akb · · Score: 4, Informative

    Check out the Flow Studio to Transmitter Link project. It is being developed by the Philadelphia Independent Media Center and Radio Volta who are using it to feed audio to WPEB 88.1FM, a low power station in West Philly.

    They have used modems, 802.11b, and the Internet to do the actual link, I'm not sure what they are using right now.

    I strongly suggest you get in touch with the Prometheus Radio Project. They work with the above groups on this project and they help out LPFM's with all aspects of their stations, from the FCC process, to transmitter tech, studio setup, community outreach. They travel around the country holding radio "barnraisings" with the new crop of LPFM licenses that have been granted, I've been to one and it was fabulous.