Today at the Dallas TCL September meeting we did a small test – Ramsey FM30B v. EDM LCD FM Transmitters. I wanted to post the results for anyone looking for a solid transmitter. Who am I to do the test – NOT a radio guy – NOT a sound guy – just a Christmas enthusiast who wants solid sound to broadcast my music on.

How:

We had both transmitters in the same location and plug into the SAME plug during the test. The Ramsey we used the provided wipe antenna and on the EDM the provided test wire antenna. They both were set to the same frequency. The sound source was a laptop playing the same music file via iTunes. The only change was the output audio level from the laptop so it was realistic to each transmitter and wasn’t overpowered to record. On the receiving side was a desktop FM Radio with Audio Out plugged into a laptop line-in recording using Audacity. The power on the 30B was set to 80% of what it can put out and the EDM was 10mW setting.

Why:

WHY NOT!!! OK maybe I wanted to know. I have $160 burning a whole in my pocket wanted to see who gets it.

Results:

Both Units are easy to setup and both have their place in the market. But here is how it goes.

EDM

• Small hum – but not what I would call static
• Signal Faded but was like a real station – slow not a hard cut
• Picked an open frequency and locked in EVERY time
• Range with test antenna was easily a LARGE block – in the test the parking lot down the street (about 2 blocks) to each light and the loop back
• Range with a ground Plain antenna – well let’s just say NOT FCC allowed but let’s say “BLOCKS”
• SOLID unit
• Semi-Pre Built
• GREAT Price
• 2 Years Warranty

Ramsey

• Static – LOTS
• Low audio level – even after adjustments
• Picky about frequency
• Rang with whip antenna was a small block – in the test was the parking lot
• Faded as you moved out QUICKLY
• Getting harder to find Pre-Build Units – TRUE kit LOTS of work
• 1 Years Warranty

Audio Sample

Add to it:

We stepped up the test to see what we could do with the little unit and a real “in the seat” experience. We had a member go and sit in his car out in the parking lot of the restaurant we meet at. With the Ramsey he had to turn UP his radio and had a LOT of static (Tried to fix adjusting power and audio levels); the EDM in his own words – “Sound’s like a REAL station around here and no static.” (0 Modification from out of the box settings) We also added a ground plane antenna and were able to get a few blocks and close by over power some weak drifting stations (JUST A TEST NOT RECOMMENDED – but may be need for some station drafting out of there markets or near the Texas Mexico board)

Who won? Hand’s down EDM!!!

What would you add / change:

• Add a Ground Plain Antenna
• Add a Constant Rate Power Supply v. the Variable provided
• Buy 2 EDM’s
• Maybe add a BEHRINGER – ULTRAMIZER PRO DSP1424P Sound Processor
• RDS – There are talks of this so maybe buy 1 and wait – but BUY 1.
• Also the lead time – since EDM is shipped from South Africa it can take about a month to get – would like to find a US dealer.

Harrison