 |
I guess I'm biased. I've been a professional broadcaster for more than 40 years. I've been on Collins, Gates and Harris AM transmitters. So I know what to expect. Audio wise, The Spitfire sounds pretty good. I'm feeding it with an Orban 424A Compressor/Limiter. We ran an Orban Optimod at the radio station. So I have a critical ear. OK, this is no Gates. But for a hundred bucks, I can't complain. Range? With the ATU turned off, and straight wire out, it covers my fourplex, my neighbors to the left and right of me and across the street. Behind me too. But no further. Fades out after two houses. I believe the SSTRAN AMT-3000 is a superior transmitter,due to GAIN, COMPRESSION and MODULATION controls. The Spitfire has NONE of these! It's made to be driven by an iPod, or something with a volume out. I was very disappointed to see the Spitfire has no input gain. There is no way to see modulation except for the light flickers! LOL! I would use an AM Modulation Monitor to set levels, but I have it pretty much set by ear. The thing is pretty much plug & play. But one might want to tinker with a loaded coil and steel whip antenna. This has potential. The reason I bought it, is, it's made in the UK! I have a Veronica Broadcasting FM Stereo transmitter from the UK. This is comparable. Tough little unit. I like the quality the UK puts into their broadcast stuff. Doug "Radiodugger"Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I repair antique radios,I purchased this unit as there is a lack of content in my area on AM. When I tried this unit,the hum level was terrible. The hum was lower when the unit was grounded but still unacceptable. Replacing the power supply with one which uses a power transformer rather than the switching supply it came with did solve the hum problem. The sound quality is only fair,it is lacking in bass response. It also has a strange low level crackling noise which can easily be heard on low level passages of music. One can minimize these deficiencies by compressing and equalizing the audio sent to the transmitter but it really shouldn't be as bad as it is. Fortunately,the transmitter will modulate to 100%. The range may disapoint some users. Using the antenna wire supplied,the signal was poor in the next room, I did tune the transmitter with a field strength meter and tried various frequencies. While the lack of range wasn't a problem for me,it might be for radio collectors with sets throughout their homes. One might try other antenna schemes but then technically this may violate FCC part 15 rules. Those considering this unit as an alternative to the now unavailable SS Tran should know that this unit is far inferior.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I bought this transmitter to broadcast whatever content that I wanted to my old AM broadcast radios. I have been using it with my new radios too. I find the audio very nice and frequency stability is rock solid. Another reviewer mentioned that they did not measure the full 100 milliwatt output. That is because these transmitters as well as any other AM transmitter that abides by Part 15 FCC rules can only have 100 milliwatts INPUT to the final amplifier. I have found this transmitter to have better range than any of my other transmitters. With the transmitter's antenna wire just draped temporarily across a shelf I can receive the signal throughout my house, my yard, and in my separate workshop. If you want to increase your range you can build a simple vertical antenna setup. Plans for this are on the internet as well as a quick note in this transmitter's instructions. The price is fantastic as well. I think this would be a good deal if it was a kit, but this transmitter comes assembled! It has a nice case and the workmanship looks very professional. It's small size makes it easy to place about anywhere. I love this transmitter! Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I have a lot of old pre-FM radios. When Norway (as the only country in the world) decided to close down FM broadcasting I bought a FM transmitter + several wifi/DAB+ adapters to keep my FM radios going. When purchasing this AM/MW & Top Band transmitter I've managed to keep all my radios going. This Spitfire AM Transmitter MW Broadcast & Top Band Transmitter was very easy to set up and use. It was in fact just "plug and play". The day I received the transmitter I connected it to my Como Audio Musica, tuned in an internet radio station and tuned in a couple of my old AM radios. It worked very good indeed! I recommend this unit for all of you that own an old high quality radio from "the golden era of radios". With this you can enjoy both FM, DAB+ and internet radio in addition to LW, MW and SW in many years to come. Just ensure you have a decent antenna and a good unit to broadcast from. My Como Audio Musica does an excellent job but I guess most units With "line out" will do.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Quite a good little transmitter for the price. Any trouble I had with hum was mostly alleviated by adjusting the receiver. Simple enough to install and adjust and coverage area was as predicted...about 300 feet out in any direction. Audio distortion level is acceptable and might be better if the user can process the dynamic range and add some EQ. Very small and easy to hide away, or put it in a weather-proof enclosure and mount it at an outdoor antenna.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
