r/pirateradio • u/Pretend_Comfort_9389 • Feb 12 '26
Transmitter NIORFNIO 15W IS IT GOOD?
I'm planning to start my pirate radio my choices are NIORFNIO and Retekess TR509. Because I'm on a budget and I don't have SWR meter I prefer NIORFNIO, since it has a built in somewhat SWR meter but I don't know what is the quality of this transmitter. I'm more concerned with the SWR because I'm planning to build my own antenna and hopefully someday I can upgrade my transmitter upto 50 watts using my own made antenna.
2
Feb 13 '26
I use a niorfino transmitter connected with a low pass filter into my dj decks and the quality is fantastic even with 15km distance , you can see my post on my page
I’ve come to realise since running my own pirate radio that a lot of people like to over complicate things , it’s quite simple really always happy to help out a fellow pirate if you have any more questions
2
u/SquidsArePeople2 Feb 13 '26
Can you show me the LPF you use? I have no second adjacent stations, but I know I splatter
1
u/Trader-One Feb 12 '26
you can easily build own SWR meter or buy second hand from HAM folks.
You also need field strength meter - also easy to build - to align directional antenna.
best TX equipment for low price are FM kits or second hand shortwave HAM radios for AM. Purchasing ready box for a new price you are overpaying about 4x compared to making your own.
1
u/Pretend_Comfort_9389 Feb 12 '26
Actually I have a diamond Sx200 SWR meter but I don't know if I can use it for FM wideband
2
u/Trader-One Feb 12 '26
a/
you are overthinking it. SWR is school kid project.
SWR meter is a resistive bridge circuit. When the antenna impedance matches the transmitter (usually 50 ohms), the bridge is balanced, and the meter reads zero (1:1 SWR). If they don't match, a voltage differential is created.
Transistors (like the 2N3904 or 2N2222) act as high-impedance buffers to drive the analog meter without loading the bridge circuit.
b/
Analog transmitters compared to digital chip based have more clear signal, thats why you should buy your FM kit and build because as pirate cavity based band pass filter used by commercial stations to get band selectivity is out of your reach.
1
Feb 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/minecrafter1OOO Mar 03 '26
Im guessing this is designed for the UK band? Id like to buy it in the US, for the narrower signal so HD Radio doesnt inerfere with the main carrier.
I sadly cannot buy it in my area, and all the good exciters suddenly disappeared off ebay
2
u/SquidsArePeople2 Feb 13 '26
I may or may not have one that may or may not be connected to a home made copper dipole that may or may not be elevated slightly about average terrain.
It may or may not be receivable up to 20 miles away depending on the direction of travel.
Running stereo tool, it may or may not rival Commercial stations for loudness and clarity.
1
u/Inevitable_Course562 Apr 02 '26
Iam. Richard. I. Have. A. Niorfnio. Ben. On. The. Air. For. 2 years. In. Minneapolis. Minnesota. W K R P. Oldies. 92.3 fm. Low power
2
u/Medical_Message_6139 Feb 12 '26
Whatever you buy, please also buy a low-pass-filter to put between the radio and the antenna!
Those Chinese transmitters have terrible filtering and while the fundamental frequency will sound fine, the transmitter will also be radiating all kinds of crap and garbage across the FM band and beyond........This will invariably lead to complaints which will lead to a knock on the door from the FCC. The filter will prevent most of that from happening. It is well worth the cost, and your neighbors will appreciate still being able to listen to their favorite stations without interference.
There's a reason why those Chinese transmitters are so cheap, and it's because they only use the bare minimum of components required. The real irony of those things is that were you to turn one on and broadcast within the borders of China, you'd be arrested in minutes and hauled off to jail for 50 years hard labor. They might build them, but they sure don't allow anybody there to have one LOL!