Set Up Tips & Pointers

Q1. What is the best way to set-up my application?

It's all about "Line-of-Site" as FM signals travel in straight lines.  A good strong signal will always be received at the target areas when you can see them from your transmitter location. Of course, other areas within your transmitter's normal broadcast range will also receive signal - but will be of varying strength depending on anything obstructing the line-of-sight. Trees allow FM radio signals to pass fairly easily, whereas large buildings (especially those with metal roofs and/or siding) do not.

For best results - Always mount your antenna as high as possible on the inside of an exterior wall.  Better still, if you have a two story building, place your transmitter and antenna there.  Transmitter operation manual.

Below you will find examples for your industry.  The center of the circles represent transmitter placement. Where you see the word "Good" in these examples are in the "line-of-site" and would receive a strong & clear signal.

Set up for Apartment Ad Radio:   Example 1  Example 2  Example 3  Example 4

Set up for School Ad Radio:   Example 1  Example 2  Example 3  Example 4  Example 5

Set up for Tourist Ad Radio:   Example 1 

Q2. What signage do we need?

For short broadcast distances (i.e.; from inside a fast-food restaurant to its drive-thru) "Line-of-Site" of site doesn't matter too much.  But for applications such as apartments and schools, signs should be placed in the driveways & parking spots where the signal is strongest and where people tend to park and stop.  Signage placement and size will also depend on applicable city ordinances.

Signage for Apartments & Multi-Family Housing:   Sample Sign 1

Signage for School Marquees:   Sample Group 1

Q3. Which FM channel should I use?

We always make a complete search for the best open frequencies before shipping your transmitter.  And it is likely that your Business Ad Radio transmitter will arrive "pre-tuned" to a specific FM frequency for your area.  However, it is possible that the channel we have chosen is already in use.  In this case, you will need to locate another channel to use that is open and unoccupied. 

To find the best useable FM frequency in your area - start with these locater sites 1 2 3 or 4. But be aware that these sites rely on public records which are not immediately updated, and a new FM channel can go on-the-air anytime without being listed.

At the FCC site (number 4) before beginning your query, be sure the Frequency Range settings read "All Frequencies/Channels" and "107.9MHz-300" for the Upper Frequency.

(Please be aware that these websites can only act as a guide, and may not list the newest radio stations in your area. The best way to look for open, available channels - is to run down the FM dial while you are physically at the intended Business Ad Radio application site using a radio with digital display tuning and make notes.)

Another way to find an open FM frequency is to visit www.findradio.us and enter your zip code + 40 miles for the distance. The results are occupied frequencies and should not be considered for your channel.

Q4. Is a "Quiet Spot" found on the dial between stations useable for Business Ad Radio?

Yes & No.  The fact that there are locations on a radio tuning dial which do not receive a broadcast station does not necessarily indicate that a station can be added on that frequency. A station's signal on the same frequency or an adjacent frequency which is too distant or weak to be picked up by a radio receiver can still cause interference to other broadcast stations. For this reason, the Commission's rules require that stations located very close in frequency be located in different communities separated by some physical distance, so as to limit any potential interference.

Q5. Can two transmitters in the same area be placed on the same frequency?

This depends on the physical distance between the transmitters. For example: Let's say you're a Realtor with two property listings that are directly across the street from each other.  In this case, you should have each transmitter set to a different frequency.  Another scenario might be where a Realtor has two listings which are a couple of city blocks apart.  In this case, both transmitters could probably be set to the same frequency channel.

Q6a. What should I know about antenna placement?

The transmitter and its antenna can be placed anywhere in the building structure, but will work best if placed on a front wall or window, facing the broadcast area. If possible, placing the unit & antenna on the second story (but not any higher).  Second story placement will give you the best results.

Mount the antenna VERTICALLY using push pins.  Do not spread-out the antenna along a baseboard.

Don't install the Transmitter near a florescent light, a refrigerator, a cathode tube television or computer monitor, washer/dryer, as A/C motors and transformers emit radiant frequencies which play havoc with your FM broadcast.

Set up your antenna FIRST before turning on the unit's power, and turn-off the unit's power before disconnecting the antenna.

Q6b. What else should I know about antenna placement?

Strive for uninterrupted lines of sight.  Commercial FM radio falls in the VHF band where line-of-sight suggests the maximum range of signal converge. Licensed FM radio stations combine powerful transmitters with antennas placed on towers and buildings, high above the average terrain, and so in fact slightly surpass this line of sight limitation. Often several antennas are placed along one tower and fed by a single transmitter so as to maintain optimum signal density close to the ground. The understanding here is that a signal that can be detected 100 miles away is of little use if it cannot be detected easily by the average listener at ground level.

A micro transmitter has insufficient power to reach the line of sight potential provided by an antenna placed high above the ground. Long coaxial feed lines eat up power as well. Typically a micro transmitter works best with an antenna less than 50 feet above the terrain since this will provide an optimum balance between ground level signal density and range. Ideally the feed line should be kept under 50 feet and the antenna kept away from nearby obstructions.  Business Ad Radio's antenna are only 84 inches long...easily set-up and concealed in most all indoor applications.

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Commercial AM radio falls in the Medium Wave band where wavelengths of several hundred meters appear. Ground level signals of this nature tend to bend around the earth while skyward bound energy is absorbed or deflected by the ionosphere. Licensed AM radio stations use towers that are electrically insulated at the bottom from the earth so the entire tower in effect becomes the broadcast antenna.

Low power transmitters in this range of the radio spectrum benefit from antennas that are long and vertical which start close to the ground, however the rules mandate that the feed line and antenna may not exceed 10 feet in length.

In very rare cases, sometimes it's helpful to know your longitude and latitude.  If by chance you need this info, go to http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/atlas2.html and enter your city & state and it will be provided for you.

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