VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Jeffrey Kafer]

So I've been using my MP3 player with a cassette adapter in my car for several years. Turns out the cassette player in the radio just died so I'm looking for one of those FM transmitter things. I've seen them range from $15-$40 and I'd love to know what success/failure people have had.

I don't have an iPod so it can't be proprietary to it.

Thanks!
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[ccpetersen]

We have two of them -- I got them from Woot.com ... but they look similar to this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Transmitter-iPod-Nano-Video/dp/B000SC1OO6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1225583667&sr=8-7

the only thing we find is that if somebody pulls up next to you using a similar thing, you sometimes get crosstalk... but not for too long!
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

[bobsouer]

Jeff,

My experience with our iPod accessory like this is mixed at best, highly frustrating some of the time, though always simple to use.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Chuck Davis]

I'll second Bob on that one. The FM transmitters are very prone to interference both from other car transmitters and radio stations. I finally gave up on mine. I found this unit called "Audio to Car" that allows you to plug any mini-jack device into your car. In my case it hooks up to the Sat radio input. I found mine at Best Buy. Looking on line though I can't find it now. The same company made a unit called "iPod to Car"...that might help the search.
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Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com

[ccpetersen]

We used ours on a cross-country trip this summer and in the cities we did have to search around for a clear frequency... out on the open road, we had only the occasional interference with another car or truck, which lasted a few minutes at most.

A direct connection would be better, but if your car doesn't have that, then these are a workable alternative given their drawbacks.
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Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

[Jeffrey Kafer]

That sounds like the best solution, Chuck, but I don't have any inputs. I guess I'll try the FM transmitter and if it doesn't work, then I'll just have to buy a new car.
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[Audiogal]

I asked DH about this & here is his reply:

If he really wants to keep his present car radio, rather than use an auxiliary FM transmitter, I'd suggest an FM modulator. We use one with our XM receiver in our car, and as you know, nothing interferes with it. Here's the difference between an FM transmitter and an FM modulator:

- The FM transmitter puts out a low-power over-the-air signal that is picked up by the car radio's antenna, which, of course, is capable of picking up similar signals from other drivers' auxiliary transmitters (or other transmitters it may pass) as well.

- On the other hand, the FM modulator is wired right into the car stereo's antenna input, insuring that its signal is the only one the radio will receive when the MP3 player is in use.

When the modulator is switched to "MP3 player", it will disconnect the antenna and instead modulate (create a hardwired FM signal from) the MP3 player's output, ramming it right into the car radio's RF preamplifier.

When the modulator is switched to "radio", it shuts itself off and connects the antenna to the car radio's RF preamplifier instead, for normal radio operation.

Crutchfield has an FM modulator for $30. It is capable of delivering a modulated FM signal on either 87.9MHz or 88.3MHz. Although it takes a bit of technical savvy to install the modulator under the dash, it's really not that hard. /Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=771&i=142FMMOD01&tp=121" target="_blank" class="postlink">FM Modulator

Hope this helps!
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Mary

[jrkaiser]

I've got an AM... 1000 watt Harris MW1a tuned to 1360... doesn't take much to re-tune it...

[allensco]

I know I'm kinda late Kafer, but if you haven't found anything yet, I have a low power FM transmitter I use around the house. I use it for broadcasting net streams or my own personal collection from the computer while I'm working inside or outside around the house. Works great for parties too

http://www.wholehousetransmitter.com

Takes ANY input source...satellite radio, computer, iPod, TV, etc. Works great and has four ways to power it. A/C, 12vDV, USB & batts.

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