SUPPORT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is involved in the installation?
The Procaster transmitter consists of two parts: the outdoor weatherproof transmitter with attached antenna connected to an indoor studio interface with 4-conductor cable. The audio and power for the system connect to the studio interface; a 3.5mm jack for audio and a 2.1mm centre positive jack for the AC wall adapter.
What kind of range can I expect?
Typically 1/2 to 2 miles depending on the quality of your installation (check out the Installation and Grounding and Range Optimization) and the surrounding environment.
What am I allowed to broadcast?
You can broadcast any material you wish. Rude, hateful, controversial or offensive material may get you into trouble in ways that are not associated with the legalities of radio broadcasting and copyright protection laws must, as always, be observed.
How important is grounding?
Because the Procaster is a low power transmitter, the ground must be as efficient as possible to achieve best range. Generally the radial ground system is best, but often many other readily available grounds work very well, e.g. building electrical grounds. Try these first before you go to the trouble of more elaborate grounding. Just be aware that if the building electrical ground is noisy (motors, dimmer switches etc.) that noise will be superimposed on your broadcast. Grounding Tips can be found here.
How do I connect audio devices?
Via the standard 3.5mm on the studio interface. Any audio source: MP3 player, tape deck, computer, home stereo, mixer console etc. can be connected using an off-the-shelf patch cable available at many stores. Stereo signals are automatically mixed to produce a mono signal for the Procaster.
Can I rebroadcast Internet radio stations?
Yes. Using an Exstreamer device from Barix, you can recover streamed audio and feed it to the Procaster for re-transmission on the AM band.
Do I need a broadcast license?
Not required! Many people ask this question. The Procaster has been certified for unlicensed use by an approved testing laboratory.
What is the function of the audio processor?
The built-in audio processor 'compresses' the quieter parts of your audio signal to keep the average sound at a louder level. A louder signal maintains a higher level of modulation resulting in a stronger, clearer sound with better range. The audio processor can be adjusted for personal listening tastes.
Can I lengthen the antenna to get more range?
No. The tuning circuitry inside the Procaster has been optimized for the length of antenna included. Altering the length of the antenna will also void certification of the unit.
Can I link Procasters together over the Internet?
Yes. Using Instreamer and Exstreamer devices from Barix, you can link Procasters together in real time to form a large wide area network of transmitters that can be fed from a single point. These can be placed anywhere there is an Internet connection.
INSTALLATION GUIDES AND MANUALS
