"micky" wrote in message
...
Thanks, for the comprehensive answer, Rod. I read the whole thing but
had started this already. Later, I may have a few wiseacre comments on
your comments. ;-)

The thing I said I'd left out, the debugging step that I hoped you'd all
notice, was that I didn't check the output voltage of the adapter.
Maybe it was enough to light the display but not transmit. However it
was fine, 12v.

While trying to pick a replacement, I finally noticed that a few of htem
were listed as 0.1/0.5W LCD PLL. Even when I saw two wattages, I didn't
remember that mine had that too. It took 2 or 3 minutes and it gradually
came back to me.

So where is the switch to set the output power. Every knob and switch
was accounted for. So let's find a manual. Not so easy.

Finally, googling fm transmitter 0.1/0.5w pll manual gave 53 hits
but the 2 I looked at referred to manually scan.

Then in little grey letters I saw one hit was a pdf file.
https://www.dagcoelectronics.com/wp-...STRUCTIONS.pdf

This is the $200 one. I still have no other evidence it's better than
the $60 one, but one thing it has is that dagoelectronics has a pdf file
all about it including instructions!!

Instructions I had completely forgotten, even that they existed. I
thought I just plugged it in. In fact, that the instructions are the
same as for my cheap one is just a little more evidence they are the
same.

I had had power failures before in the past year but it has worked fine
the entire time. They didnt' change it from high power to low power. I
don't know what did this time.

This is what I was "missing". I'm glad I figured it out before I bought
a second one.

Still 3 problems.
1) I did steps 1 and 2 but thought i was done, didn't pay attention
to step 3, and it doesn't work.
2) I see that it's set 108.00 so I do step 4, and think I'm done, but
it doesn't work.
3) I never yet did steps 5 and 6 and that might come back to bite me,
but I did read and do steps 7 and 8, and it seems to be working now!!


Instructions:

Power Adjustment Menu -Toggle from 0.5 Watts to 0.1 Watts
Applies to all 2010 V1.2 versions or later with two level power
adjustment: High power (H): 0.5W/500mW(Default); Low-power (L):
0.1W/100mW
NOTE:The power switch (H) is actually like an Enter button when in
the Power Adjustment Menu. Proceed through all steps, if you have any
issues after toggling the power level, please refer to these steps and
set to the defaults and try again.
1. First press and hold the Power Switch/MENU(H) while inserting the
power adapter into the Power Jack (A).
2. Release the power switch (H) after LCD screen displays the "H" or
"L". Use the Frequency Toggles ?/? (I). Press ? or ? to toggle the LCD
screen display between H or L. Again, "H" is the output power 500mW;
"L" is. the output power 100mW.
3. Press the Power Switch/ENTER(H).
4. The LCD screen displays the default setting of "108.00MHz"and the
Mute Symbol will be displayed meaning it is not transmitting and this
will be displayed through Step 7. This is the Highest Frequency the
transmitter will display. Through the ?/? (I) it can be changed from
0.10-153.00 MHz.
5. Press the POWER SWITCH/ENTER(H).
6. Now the LCD screen displays the default setting of "76.00MHz". This
is the lowest frequency the transmitter will display. Again, through
the ?/?(I) it can be changed from 0.10 -153.00MHz.NOTE the lowest
frequency high-end cannot be higher than the highest frequency selected
in Step 4.
7. Press power switch (H). Wait 3 seconds to exit the Power
Adjustment Menu and LCD screen will display "OFF".
8. Again press the power switch "(H) and the transmitter will power on
and transmitter will begin transmitting.Now reselect the broadcast
frequency.If the broadcast frequency is locked and you cannot toggle,
repeat all steps and reset the High and Low Frequencies to defaults!



More stuff. Formatted and easier to read at the webpage above.

Tips and Tricks
1.Antenna: Always operate the transmitter with asuitable antenna or 50
Ohm dummy load to the output. Failure to comply may cause serious
danger or destruction to the output stage of the transmitter and void
warranty coverage.
POWER JACK(A)ANTENNAPORT(C)AUDIO INPUT (D)FREQUENCY TOGGLES/POWER
SELECTOR(I)AUDIO VOLUME CONTROL(F)POWER SWITCH/MENU/ENTER(H)MICINPUT
(E)MIC VOLUME CONTROL(G)RCA INPUTS(B)
2 Power Supply: Do not exceed 12V 6A power supply. For best results use
a Fail-Safe supplied power supply.



This one is a surprise:

3.MIC: Do not use a MONO plug-type microphone, doing so
may cause permanent damage and void warranty coverage.

I don't know what it means to have a stero mike anyhow, when it's all on
one stalk only 1/2 inch wide, but the plug on the end is indeed TRS,
stereo.

It basically has two mics in the one stalk so you get some stereo effect.

4.Sound: When using most FM transmitters with a PC or MAC computer the
volume level will need to be optimized at devices: (1) transmitter (2)
computer sound card, (3) Media player software, and (4) FM receiver
radio. If necessary, you may consult the instructions of the audio
device to toggle the Equalizer. If Bass is distorted, or static is
heard, minimize bass levels in the input device.

TROUBLESHOOTING:
1. Distortion/Static:Make sure to set the volumelevel of audio source
device and the transmitter at MOST at the50% and adjust up from there.
When using transmitter with PCs or devices with Bass Boost or higher
bass settings, you will want to minimize the levels for the transmitter
does have a built in pre-amp which further amplify the bass and it will
be broadcast as static or crackle. Also note that this transmitter's
sound output level will not match local radio station's volume levels.

2. Transmit range is weak: The transmit range will vary as per your
environment, antenna type, power setting, and/or frequency setting. You
may need to upgrade the antenna. Placing the antenna on the highest
altitude inside or outside of a building with the least amount of
obstacles will give you the optimum range.Please note that the average
broadcast range with the stock rubber duck antenna is around 300 feet to
a vehicle stereo. Receiver units with weaker strength antennas, may not
get even half of this range. For best results, check out our other
antennas, transmitters, or contact us.

3. Constant hum on radio/when broadcasting: Most likely cause is the
audio cable or MIC but it can also be the power supply, input device, or
antenna. HUMIS RARELYCAUSED BY THE ACTUAL TRANSMITTER!Proceed with the
following steps to attempt correcting the hum:
1) To attempt to correct please start by assuring all cables are
isolated from all power sources and that nothing is coming in contact
with the Antenna or Antenna port.
2) If the hum persists, remove the audio cable and MIC from the
transmitterso that all that is connected to the transmitter is the power
supply and antenna.
3) If the hum ceases, it is either a bad audio cable, the audio cable
is resting on another wire that is causing the hum, or the input device
is causing the hum. You may also have to separate your transmitter from
your input device. We do have Audio Cables in lengths up to 100 ft.
Also, use of input devices with battery chargers has been known to cause
issues with hum/feedback.
4) If the hum persists ensure the antenna pieces are snug. In
addition the antenna should remain in an 90° position. If it easily
tips over, the antenna may be the issue.
5) If hum persists, the only thing left is the power supply. Contact
us if through this troubleshooting leads you to believe that itis the
power supply or antenna.

4. Transmitter will not power on: Please test with either another 12 V
power supply briefly with the transmitter. If you do not have another
power supply, try the transmitter power supply with another device that
accepts 12 V of power, or test it to see if it is still functional. If
you find that the power supply is the issue, or if you do not have the
means to test it, please contact us and we can make arrangements.

5. Transmitter powers on, but not transmitting: Please ensure the Mute
Symbol is not displayed to the right of the frequency. If it is, please
refer to the Power Adjustment Menu Instructions. If it does not transmit
still and the mute symbol is not displayed, then please contact us.

F-S Electronics 2014©32.

Amazingly complicated for a little thing, huh.

Not really, its doing quite a bit.

Notes; obsolete now:
In alt.home.repair, on Sat, 24 Apr 2021 19:02:07 -0400, micky
wrote:
.....
Do I have an alternative than buying basically the same thing again?


You can see that the first 3 are all the same in terms of size, shape,
controls, jacks, antenna.

https://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-A...5XS/ref=sr_1_3
$90

Has $2 lavalier microphone included

https://www.amazon.com/Retekess-Wire...ef=sr_1_2_sspa
$80 This makes reference to an AUX jack, but from the pictures, plainly
they just mean the mike jack. That's fine.

Also has a fan and a telescoping metal antenna. Others have no fan and
stubby but unbreakable antenna.

https://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-7..._thematic_sspa
$99 - 20%

To get back some of the money I lost on the broken one, would it be
wrong for me to start my own church?


https://www.amazon.com/0-5-Fail-Safe...f=sr_1_12_sspa
$120 Mine was cheaper, I guess because it had no RCA inputs, which I
have no use for.

There are more, there were more at the time. Did I make a mistake by
buying one that was $10 less than tthe others. $65 instead of 75?

This brings up the same question that I raised with the
auto-vacuum-pressure tester, one of which was 33% higher than the other
which appeared identical in every way. Are ttwo such things the same
thing with different pricing, or do they manage to imitate a good one
and yet make the imitation junky? I know t here is no single rule but
what is your experience?


Functionally similar, based on knobs and jacks, but knobs are closer to
the ends of the panel, it's silver instead of black, and it's twice the
price $200. Does that mean it will last twice as long, 10x as long?
https://www.amazon.com/Fail-Safe-Ran...ef=sr_1_1_sspa
Weighs 14.1 ounces, claims this is more than other. 3.9 stars. Stereo
RCA jacks, no sign of a fan, inc. rear view.

https://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-B..._t2_B01N4Q9GCF
$160


https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Tran...f=sr_1_12_sspa
$80-10 St-7c with fan 4.4 stars on 775 revies

https://www.amazon.com/BaseWish-Tran...CX/ref=sr_1_16
$100 no fan 4.5 stars on 9 reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Broa...9S/ref=sr_1_18
$96 4.6 stars on 26 ratings 0.5W

https://www.amazon.com/Transmitter-7...DR/ref=sr_1_19
$70 5 stars on 1 rating 0.5W