Yes. That's how simulcast systems work. When you base your syncronization on a GPSDO (GPS Disciplined Oscillator) such as the Trimble Thunderbolt (which has accuracy typically of 10-20 parts per TRILLION, which means that if you were transmitting at 1GHz, you would be no more then 0.010 to 0.020 Hz off) *and* the audio is in sync with that timing source *and* the deviation is set consistently accurately between all transmitters, then, yes, its quite possible. Obviously, you need to use transmitters appropriately suited for this type of application, which either by initial design or by modification, allow injection of an external (to the transmitter) reference frequency. Some transmitters are designed with this in mind. Others can be trivially modified to allow this. For example, the Trimble Thunderbolt has its precise frequency output at 10 MHz. Some transmitters will operate directly from the frequency reference. Others need some other frequency. If this is the case, a clock generator (locked to the Thunderbolt's 10 Mhz output) that produces the appropriate frequency is needed. Some radio manufacturers, such as the one that Pete Elke (WI6H) was referring to make devices specifically suited for this purpose (he was using the clock generator within a high stability oscillator unit from an old Motorola paging transmitter). Another option would be to use the PCGM (Programmable Clock Generator Module) that Mark at Micro-Node (K7IZA) is coming out with soon. It takes the 10 MHz input from the Trimble Thunderbolt, and generates pretty much whatever reference frequency you "tell it to" (from 6-200 MHz), and also, acts as a power supply for the Trimble Thunderbolt. The reason I keep making specific reference to the Trimble Thunderbolt is because they are readily available on the surplus market (rather inexpensively), and are EXTEREMELY well-suited for this application (probably the best selection given all of the parameters involved here). JIM WB6NIL
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:41:11 +0200 From: shaun@pmbnet.co.za To: app_rpt-users@ohnosec.org; zs5bg@harc.org.za; zs5z@harc.org.za Subject: [App_rpt-users] RADIO THIN CLIENT MODULE and "Simulcast Transmit System"
Before I break open my kid's piggy-bank for a couple of "ALLSTAR RTCM (RADIO THIN CLIENT MODULE)'s " http://micro-node.com/thin-m1.html I need an important question answered. .............please?
If both rptr's are in the same coverage area, and transmit at the same time on the same freq, BUT perfectly in sync using the GPS sync option...................... will the end user (client/club member) hear a perfect signal? (even if he/she where in range of both transmitters?) One would think you would hear a heterodyne of some sort with both signals reaching and mixing into the users transceiver.
We all know that if 2 hams try use their local repeater at the same time (doubling) then the end result is Yucky, unless the one users tx signal is much stronger than the other user.
Is this RTCM system so accurate, that the user hears a perfectly synced and clear signal?
Shaun zr5s
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