FM Transmitter Mod

[bnradams]

Anyone have any openions on using a small FM car transmitter for broadcasting music? I came across this on another site http://www.christmasdisplays.net/pro...ransmitter.php

Seems to be a cheap alternative for this season until I can budget in for a more expensive peice of dedicated equipment. I happen to have this exact transmitter already and thought it would be worth a try, but I dont know what effect cutting the factory antena and adding a longer one will have on the transmitter. I know if you dont have the right load on a transmitter it can actually damage it (ie no antena at all).

[Capt'n Jack]

Go to "Other Hardware" and do a search for "Belkin Tunecast II" threads - lots of info -good and bad. I will be using the Belkin II with it being placed on the mailbox post. Hope it works!

[sjwilson122]

Anyone have any openions on using a small FM car transmitter for broadcasting music? I came across this on another site http://www.christmasdisplays.net/pro...ransmitter.php

Seems to be a cheap alternative for this season until I can budget in for a more expensive peice of dedicated equipment. I happen to have this exact transmitter already and thought it would be worth a try, but I dont know what effect cutting the factory antena and adding a longer one will have on the transmitter. I know if you dont have the right load on a transmitter it can actually damage it (ie no antena at all).

I use the Belkin Tune Cast II. The modification you linked to will get you 50-60 feet with about 31 inches of wire (this would tune to about center of the FM band.) There is a different mod. that will get you a little better power and allow use of a better antenna for better range (about 150-200 feet). The biggest problem with the Tune Cast is the audio input level, to high and it will distort and go off frequency, to low and listeners will have to crank up their radio and they will hear alot of hiss and static during quite parts of your show.

http://sonic.net/~n7moe/BelkinMod.htm

Scott

[tweist]

Or you can go to 'Search' and type in FM Transmitter under the 'Other Hardware' tab and you will not only get data on transmitters but also what antenna is best for your situation. Transmitters come in different sizes, power ratings, and prices. Just depends on what you want to do with it and how far you want it to go. I transmit over 1/4 mile because you can see the block from a ways off. That way the viewers can enjoy the display more than once during there visit if they want.

But again, search under other hardware and you will be amazed at how much information is there.

Otherwise you can always ask more questions and we will answer the best we can.

[plasmata]

Either of these would work well and are relatively cheap.


V-FM01

V-FM02

*** Edit ***
I just noticed that you said you already have the Tunecast. It'll get you through this year. Then save up the money for one of the above next year.

[bnradams]

Thanks for all the replies, I should have searched the forums first (I do that to often, ask first then search). It seems people have mixed results with the mod, I think I will give it a try and see what kind of range I get out of it. If the range is good, I will let it run for a few days and make sure its stable. Worse case I should have enough time to make other arangements. Thanks for the links plasmata, Ive read others talking about the V-FM transmitters but havent been able to locate one till your post. I may have to talk the misses into an early Christmas present ;)