Updated June 11, 2024
FM transmitters operating in the LPFM service must be certified and bear a label with "FCC ID" on it.
Transmitters that claim to be "type accepted", "type approved", "type verified" or only have a "Supplier's Declaration of Conformity" do not meet this requirement. This includes many "hand me down" transmitters donated from other broadcast stations.
Certified transmitters with an ID label, must be certified for use under Part 73.
Transmitters that have the FCC ID label on it have gone through a process where it was sent to a testing lab and the test results have been filed with the FCC.
While transmitters without the FCC ID label can be used in other broadcast services (full-service FM, FM translators, FM boosters, etc.), they cannot be used in LPFM.
Certified transmitters
The following is a list of transmitter models operating with 600 watts or less that are known to REC Networks. If a FCC ID code is shown, then the transmitter has been lab certified and can be used by an LPFM station. Some models may not be certified or we are in the process of verifying their certification status. This list may also include discontinued models that may be obtained through resale. This list does not imply an endorsement by REC of these models.
This list shows all transmitters that were certified after 2000 in the FM broadcast band with a power level of 600 watts or less. Links to the manufacturers information pages or data sheets are available here for the units that we can find. This does not constitute an endorsement of these products by REC. Please note that some models shown may be now discontinued but are still authorized for use. Please always triple-check with the manufacturer to assure that the transmitter you are going to receive does have the FCC ID label on it. Most importantly, never purchase a transmitter from eBay, Amazon, Temu, Wish, Alibaba Express or any other marketplace site, even WalMart! Always deal with the manufacturers directly or with a reputable dealer such as SCMS, BGS, BSW, etc.
Dealing with China-based companies: Our first and only suggestion, DONT! Over the years, we have experienced a lot of deceptive listings, especially since the policy changes at Amazon where transmitting equipment must have an FCC ID number. We are finding that these companies are using either fake ID numbers or ID numbers for other equipment (for example, a company may be selling a 300 watt transmitter, but their FCC ID number returns a "part 15" micro-powered transmtiter that plugs into a cigarette lighter for extending cell phone audio over the car radio.) These Chinese transmitters may be good for other parts of the world, but they do not meet the stringent FCC Part 73 standards for FM broadcast as tested in the lab in order to get certification. Stick with our list below and expect to pay about $3,500 to $6,000 for a new transmitter. Do not fall into the trap.
Applicant (Trade name) | Model | Power | Built in RDS? | FCC ID# |
---|---|---|---|---|
305 Broadcast, LLC (ELENOS) | ETG150 | 150 | No | ODKETG150IS |
Aqua Broadcast | Cobalt C-30 | 30 | Yes | 2A9RR-COBALT1U |
Aqua Broadcast | Cobalt C-50 | 50 | Yes | 2A9RR-COBALT1U |
Aqua Broadcast | Cobalt C-100 | 100 | Yes | 2A9RR-COBALT1U |
Aqua Broadcast | Cobalt C-300 | 300 | Yes | 2A9RR-COBALT300 |
BEI Electronics, LLC (BE) | STXe 60 | 60 | Yes | DDE7EPTX-STX60 |
BEI Electronics, LLC (BE) | STXe 500 | 500 | Yes | DDE7EPTX-STX500 |
BEXT Inc. (BEXT) | XL150 | 150 | E6TBEXTXL150 | |
BEXT Inc. (BEXT) | XL300 | 300 | E6TBEXTXL300 | |
BEXT Inc. (BEXT) | XT150 | 150 | E6T072503FMW150 | |
BEXT Inc. (BEXT) | XT300 | 300 | E6T072503FMW300 | |
BW Broadcast, Ltd. (BW) | TX50V2 | 50 | No | 2ABPH-TX50V2 |
BW Broadcast, Ltd. (BW) | TX 300V2 | 300 | No | 2ABPH-TX300V2 |
BW Broadcast, Ltd. (BW) | TX 300V3 | 300 | Yes | 2ABPH-UNIFIEDTX |
Broadcast Warehouse Limited (BW) | TX25/50 | 25/50 | Yes | TUOTX25-50 |
Broadcast Warehouse Limited (BW) | TX150/300 | 150/300 | TUOTX150-300 | |
Broadcast Warehouse Limited (BW) | TX 600 | 600 | TUOTX600 | |
Crown Broadcast | FM30 | 30 | JLOFM30 | |
Crown Broadcast | FM250 | 250 | JLOFM250 | |
Crown Broadcast | FM300 | 300 | JLOFM300 | |
CW Broadcast (Ptek) (FM Broadcast, Inc.) |
150ES | 150 | AUNFM300ES | |
CW Broadcast (Ptek) (FM Broadcast, Inc.) |
300ES | 300 | AUNFM300ES | |
DB ELETTRONICA TELECOMUNICAZIONI S.P.A. (DB Digital Broadcast Italy) | Mozart Series | 500 | 2ACBVMOZART500 | |
DB ELETTRONICA TELECOMUNICAZIONI S.P.A. (DB Digital Broadcast Italy) | Mozart Series | 50 | 2ACBVMOZART50 | |
Decade Transmitters Inc | FM-800 | 1.8 | MCHFM-800 | |
Elettronika S.r.l. (ELETRONIKA) | MIRA250S | 250 | PHLMIRA250 | |
Elettronika S.r.l. (ELETRONIKA) | PLL-CST3 | 250 | PHLPLLCS | |
Elettronika S.r.l. (ELETRONIKA) | MIZAR | 30 | PHLMIZAR30 | |
Elettronika S.r.l. (ELETRONIKA) | MIZAR | 300 | PHLMIZAR300 | |
Elettronika S.r.l. (ELETRONIKA) | PLL/CT | 30 | PHLPLLC | |
GatesAir, Inc. (Harris) This unit is also certified to use on LPFM stations with HD. However, the combined TPO is limited to 105 watts at -14 dBc and 80 watts at -10 dBc. |
FAX150 |
150 | BOIFAXLP | |
GatesAir, Inc. (Harris) Certified for HD. Max combined TPO: 300w at -14dBc and 160w at -10 dBc. For higher TPO, use the FAX500, which is also certified. |
FAX300 | 300 | BOIFAXMP | |
Nautel Maine Inc (Nautel) Note: Make sure you are using a model VS-300LP as opposed to just a VS-300. |
VS-300LP | 300 | Yes | B3W-VS300 |
Nautel Maine Inc. (Nautel) | VS-300LP equipped with VS-HD | 150 | Yes | B3W-VS300HD |
Nautel Maine Inc. (Nautel) | VX-150 | 150 | Yes | B3W-VX150 |
Nautel Maine Inc. (Nautel) | VX-300 | 300 | Yes | B3W-VX300 |
Nexus Broadcast Products (Nexus) | NBE-25 | 20 | RR4NBE20 | |
NiCOM USA | NT-20 | 20 | RMYNT20FP03 | |
NiCOM USA | NT-250 | 250 | RMYNT250FP03 | |
NiCOM USA | NT-30 | 32 | RMYNT30FP03 | |
NiCOM USA | NT-350 | 350 | RMYNT350FP07 | |
NiCOM USA | NT-500 | 500 | RMYNT500FP09 | |
NiCOM USA | NT-150 | 150 | RMYNT150FP03 | |
Ptek | FM250E | 250 | ML9FM250E | |
Ptek | FM300ES | 330 | AUNFM300ES | |
R & L Media Systems Inc | PM300 | 300 | LUHPM300 | |
Ramsey Electronics, Inc. | PX50 | 50 | PF3PX50 | |
Richardson Electronics Ltd (RF Cast) | MT100 | 100 | NXHMT100 | |
Richardson Electronics Ltd (RF Cast) | MT250 | 250 | NXHMT250 | |
Richardson Electronics Ltd (RF Cast) | MT300 | 300 | NXHMT300 | |
R.V.R. | TEX30LCD | 30 | RHDTEX30LCD | |
R.V.R. | TEX150LCD TEX150LCDS |
150 | RHDTEX150LCD RHDTEX150LCDS |
|
R.V.R. | TEX300LCD | 300 | RHDTEX300LCD | |
SYes | Any model | NOT YET CERTIFIED (see below)** | ||
TAW~Global, LLC | 1.2W | 1.2 | XOASRC-LPFM1 | |
Technalogix, Ltd. | TXF-150 | 150 | QH5TXF150 | |
Technalogix, Ltd. | TXF-500 | 500 | QH5TXF500 | |
Technalogix, Ltd. | TXF-300 | 300 | QH5TXF300 | |
Technalogix, Ltd. | TXF-50 | 50 | QH5TXF50 | |
Transamerica International Broadcasting Inc (OMB) | EM100DIG | 100 | KEUEM100DIG | |
Transamerica International Broadcasting Inc (OMB) | EM25DIG | 25 | KEUEMDIG25 | |
Transamerica International Broadcasting Inc (OMB) | EM500DIG | 500 | KEUEM500DIG | |
Transamerica International Broadcasting Inc (OMB) | EM250DIG | 250 | KEUEM250DIG | |
Worldcast Systems, Inc. | ECRESO | 300 | O35EFM0300W | |
Worldcast Systems, Inc.(Ecreso) | HELIOS 350 | 350 | O35-HFM0350W | |
Worldcast Systems, Inc. (Ecreso) | AiO Series | 100 | O35-AIO0300W | |
Worldcast Systems, Inc. (Ecreso) | AiO Series | 300 | O35-AIO0300W |
** = SYes is a new company discovered by REC at the 2024 NABSHOW. They have multiple models in 100, 250, 300 and 600-watt classes. In our discussions with this company, we cannot verify that they have received FCC certification and their datasheets provide no information on either certification, nor SDoC (used for other broadcast stations other than LPFM). SYes states that they will follow up with REC with that information. Until we receive verficiation, we will consider then not certified and therefore their equipment cannot be used by LPFM stations. We hope they do follow through and obtain lab certification if they plan to market transmitters in the United States.
4-9-24: Added CW Broadcast 150ES as certified. Unit uses the same exciter as the 300ES and uses the same FCC ID #.
4-18-24: Added initial information about SYes.
6-11-24 Added update on Worldcast Ecreso AiO Series.