FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Build your radio station with AAREFF

Before delving into the specific technical specifications and detailed selection process, this guide provides a clear, scannable overview of the core FM broadcast equipment required to successfully launch and operate your new station. We simplify the setup process so you can get on air faster and within budget.

Essential Equipment Required to Launch

Your new radio station requires investment in two fundamental areas: the Transmitting System and the Studio Equipment.

Transmitting System (Broadcast Site):

- FM Broadcast Transmitter

- FM Antenna (FM VHF Dipole Recommended)

- Coaxial Antenna Cable

Radio Studio Equipment:

- Console Mixer

- Microphones with Stands (can begin with 2 units)

- Headphones (can begin with 2 units)

- Computer (For Automation/Playback)

- Studio Furniture

Critical Factors for Broadcast Performance.

A radio station's broadcast performance and market reach are fundamentally determined by four critical technical and regulatory factors:

1. Transmitter Power

2. Antenna System Design

3. Signal Coverage Area

4. Regulatory Compliance (EIRP)

Example: Affordable Community Broadcast Setup

For broadcasting across a small community (e.g., covering approximately 10 km), we recommend starting with a full EIRP compliant package for immediate and reliable operation.

Recommended System: The 20W EIRP Complete FM Radio Transmitter Broadcasting System.

- Transmitter: 20W FM Stereo Transmitter with Integrated Audio Processing.

- Antenna System: Standard FM VHF Dipole with 12m of Coaxial Cable.

You can begin broadcasting on your own radio station with a remarkably reasonable budget and a focused equipment selection.

Get a pro forma contacting is at info@aareff.com

Do I need a license?

Yes, before you invest in any broadcast equipment or finalize your studio design, you must consult your national broadcasting authority. Checking with them ensures you secure the proper frequency and are in full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements for radio transmission in your country.

Simple, Secure Ordering Process for Custom AAREFF FM Transmitters.

Ordering your customized AAREFF FM broadcast equipment is a straightforward two-step process. We focus on speed and accuracy to get your equipment produced and dispatched efficiently. .

1. Place Your Order:
- Secure Website Order: Place your order directly using our secure server at checkout.

- Request a Pro Forma Invoice Ideal for institutional or bank transfers

2. Order Confirmation:
You will receive an email containing all confirmation and payment details for your purchase.

3. Custom Programming Request:
We immediately begin production (or pull stocked equipment) and will promptly request your intended broadcast frequency and RDS text (Radio Data System).

4. Testing & Configuration:
We require a test frequency to ensure your FM Transmitter is fully functional. We prefer to set your specific frequency and RDS text (anywhere between 87.5MHz and 108.0 MHz, so the equipment is ready to use out of the box.

5. Dispatch & Tracking:
Once final testing is complete, your equipment is professionally packed and dispatched. You will receive a final email containing your shipping tracking number for monitoring delivery.

Taxes, duties, and import fees are the recipient's responsibility and are country-specific (unless prepaid at checkout).

GLOBAL AVAILABILITY: REGIONS WE SUPPLY FM TRANSMITTERS.

We are proud to supply our complete line of reliable, low-power and high-power AAREFF FM Transmitters and broadcasting equipment to a vast global market.

Our sales, installation, and remote maintenance support cover the following continents and regions:

North & South America

- North America
- Central America
- The Caribbean
- South America

Europe & CIS

- Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- European Union

Africa & Middle East

- North Africa
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- The Middle East

Asia & Oceania

- Asia
- Australia
- Oceania
- The Pacific Islands

THE CHALLENGE OF COMBINING FM TRANSMITTER OUTPUTS.

It is technically not simple or advisable to directly join the outputs of multiple FM transmitters. Doing so instantly creates a complex range of unwanted frequencies, known as Intermodulation Products (IPs).

Example of Intermodulation: If you combine a transmitter at 100 MHz and another at 107 MHz, the direct coupling generates the original frequencies plus major new frequencies:

The combination creates extra, unwanted frequencies called Intermodulation Products (IPs). The main new frequencies produced will be 7 MHz, 207 MHz, and 114 MHz (among others). Because these extra frequencies cause interference and disrupt other users of the radio spectrum, you cannot simply join the transmitter outputs together.

The Result: These spurious signals (IPs) cause severe interference to other users of the broadcast spectrum, making direct output coupling illegal and impractical.

TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR MULTI-TRANSMITTER OPERATION.

The proper method depends on the transmitter power level and budget.

1. High-Power Installations (Above a Few Watts).

- Solution: Use Passive Combiners (also known as Isolators or Multiplexers).

- Mechanism: These are highly sophisticated, narrow-band filters engineered to prevent unwanted frequencies from entering the output stage of the transmitters, effectively suppressing the harmful IPs..

- Note: This is the standard but most expensive method for professional high-power broadcasting.

2. Low-Power / Prototype Installations (100mW Level)

- Solution: Combine the signals using 30dB Resistive Attenuators followed by an Ultra-Linear Amplifier with a 30dB gain.

- Mechanism: The attenuators provide necessary isolation, and the amplifier boosts the signal back to the original 100mW level.

- Challenge: Ultra-linear amplifiers are difficult and costly to design and manufacture, making this solution less feasible.

3. The Lowest Cost & Most Feasible Solution: Antenna Separation (Physical Isolation)

For situations where budget is a primary concern, the most practical solution is to utilize the physical isolation provided by distance between multiple antennas. This method prevents the output signals from coupling in the first place.

Recommended Solution 1W DDS FM Transmitter:

If you use 1W transmitters (these are nearly the same price as the 100mW) with a 10dB resistive attenuator at the output (this is very low cost) this will then give 100mW to the antenna because there is an extra 10dB at the transmitter output, only 40dB of isolation is required between the antennas to keep the IP's below 60dB, this is a distance of 6 metres. This is without the a doubt the best value for money solution and probably feasible in most situations such as a gym, health club, a station, multi channel translation etc.

Solving the Challenge of Technical Support in Remote Regions

We have specialized in providing community radio stations and NGOs across Africa and the Middle East for over 28 years and during this time we have optimised the design and service of our equipment for this situation. For example a medium size community radio station in Africa is typically 2.5kW EIRP Complete FM Radio Transmitter Broadcasting System and would use the following equipment:

- 1W FM Stereo Driver with Audio Processing

- 1000W FM Power Amplifier

- 20m of Antenna Cable

- 5/8 Wave 2KW Vertical High Gain FM Broadcasting Antenna

Get a pro forma contacting is at info@aareff.com

INSTALLATION

The equipment is designed in such a way that a semi-skilled engineer, electrical contractor or electrician can install the system successfully if they read the installation instructions properly. The installation does not need a radio engineer. We have proven this to be effective over many years.

WARRANTY: Looking at the four pieces of equipment in the above list, this system is ultra reliable and will run trouble free without maintenance usually for 5 years.

WHY SEPARTE THE DRIVER AND AMPLIFIER IN AN FM TRANSMITTER?

Most transmitter manufacturers have the driver and amplifier as a combined unit, we have separated them into two pieces of equipment. This is because the most vulnerable part in the list is the FM Amplifier, in this case 1000W.

The downside to the FM Amplifier is that has cooling fans, air intakes, high internal voltages and runs hot. This mixed with the dust, sand and often salty air from the coastal areas is a challenge. The upside to the FM Amplifier is that is is easy to change only 3 connections, takes less than 5 mins, anybody can change it, even the DJ in a one man station.

MAINTENANCE

By separating the amplifier, we enable faster, lower-cost maintenance, a crucial factor for remote or unstaffed sites:

Ease of Replacement: The component requires only 3 connections to swap.

Minimal Downtime: Replacement takes less than 5 minutes.

Accessibility: Virtually any personnel (e.g., a one-man station DJ) can perform the change, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized engineers.

This design simplifies maintenance logistics and is ideal for standardizing equipment upkeep in challenging, remote locations.

KEY STEPS FOR CONTINUOUS OPERATION

Scheduled Rotation: Clients perform a quick, scheduled swap of the active FM Amplifier every month. Amplifier 1 is swapped for Amplifier 2, and the following month, Amplifier 2 is swapped back to Amplifier 1, ensuring regular rotation.

Immediate Servicing: The moment an FM Amplifier is taken out of service, it undergoes a crucial inspection using our detailed instructions:

- The cover is removed.

- Any accumulated sand and dust are thoroughly cleaned out.

- Key components are visually checked for signs of heating or corrosion damage.

- Return to Service or Repair

If Inspection is Clear: The unit is sealed and kept on-site, ready to be immediately re-installed during the next monthly scheduled change.

If a Fault is Found: Clients contact us for rapid technical support. Minor issues can often be corrected on-site by a local technician following our guidance. For complex repairs, the unit is returned to us via a reliable courier (such as FedEx or DHL). We resolve the issue, and the repaired unit is shipped back, ensuring it is ready for its place in the rotation schedule.

We have developed this process or system over the last 28 years specifically for Africa and the Middle East and we believe without a doubt it is way more most cost effective than having engineers on site.