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bluebellyyankee
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Post subject: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Mon 05, 2018 7:53 pm |
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Joined: Feb Mon 13, 2017 10:46 pm Posts: 158 Location: Atlanta GA
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What do you think of using a FM transmitter in a home to broadcast a device like an Iphone or Ipod? I did not know these things existed, at least with the strength that they are advertised with. Here is one that looks reasonably priced: https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Broadca ... dpSrc=srchThis looks like an easy solution for me since I am interested in playing audio through my vintage radios on different flloors of my home at the same time. Does anybody care to comment on what the audio quality will be with one of these? It sure looks like the range will be plenty.
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35Z5
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Mon 05, 2018 8:26 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 11877
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Are your "vintage" radios FM?? A std broadcast radio isn't going to receive it's signal..
_________________ Tom
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bluebellyyankee
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Mon 05, 2018 8:59 pm |
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Joined: Feb Mon 13, 2017 10:46 pm Posts: 158 Location: Atlanta GA
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Yes, of course they are FM.
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majoco
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Mon 05, 2018 9:32 pm |
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Joined: Mar Mon 17, 2008 5:05 am Posts: 5532 Location: Ashhurst, New Zealand
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For a long time I used one of those car FM transmitters that were originally sold so that you could broadcast from a CD player (before they became a regular fit into cars) - ran it from a 12v wallwart and it covered my house alright. Then I found a kitset FM transmitter and coupled with a EBay MP3 SD card player works really well in a little disused speaker box. Attachment:
DSCF0552sml.jpg [ 220.91 KiB | Viewed 2996 times ]
_________________ Cheers - Martin ZL2MC
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Steve Chambers
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 12:03 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 746 Location: Warren, Ohio, USA
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bluebellyyankee wrote: What do you think of using a FM transmitter in a home to broadcast a device like an Iphone or Ipod? I did not know these things existed, at least with the strength that they are advertised with. Here is one that looks reasonably priced: https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Broadca ... dpSrc=srchThis looks like an easy solution for me since I am interested in playing audio through my vintage radios on different flloors of my home at the same time. Does anybody care to comment on what the audio quality will be with one of these? It sure looks like the range will be plenty. I have one of these. It works very well. The low power setting covers my entire house with a very clean and stable signal. Steve Chambers
Last edited by Steve Chambers on Mar Tue 06, 2018 2:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
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processhead
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 2:18 am |
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Joined: Jul Tue 15, 2008 6:13 pm Posts: 8962 Location: Gretna, Nebraska
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bluebellyyankee
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 2:50 am |
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Joined: Feb Mon 13, 2017 10:46 pm Posts: 158 Location: Atlanta GA
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Steve and Paul,
How is the volume when you have your FM radio tuned into your transmitters? Does the volume match what you are getting from normal local FM stations? Do these transmitters seem to be broadcasting your source with complete frequency response?
Thanks, BB
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Steve Chambers
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 3:01 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 746 Location: Warren, Ohio, USA
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processhead
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 3:05 am |
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Joined: Jul Tue 15, 2008 6:13 pm Posts: 8962 Location: Gretna, Nebraska
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bluebellyyankee wrote: Steve and Paul,
How is the volume when you have your FM radio tuned into your transmitters? Does the volume match what you are getting from normal local FM stations? Do these transmitters seem to be broadcasting your source with complete frequency response?
Thanks, BB Left and right channel line adjustment pots allow setting FM modulation to compensate for low input levels. Can be set to sound as loud as broadcast FM stations.
_________________ http://www.vintagerestorationservices.com Paul ...... how hard can it be?
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bluebellyyankee
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 3:25 am |
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Joined: Feb Mon 13, 2017 10:46 pm Posts: 158 Location: Atlanta GA
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Paul,
Can you tell us how long the 9 volt battery lasts before it needs replaced?
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Notimetolooz
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 3:43 am |
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Joined: May Thu 14, 2015 4:15 pm Posts: 2999 Location: Dallas, TX
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I got one of those C.Crane FM2 transmitter some time ago. I was disappointed with the range. The power output isn't stated, but from the enclosed info it says range 30-75 ft. I measured much less maybe mine is defective. It could be the power is low because they were concerned with FCC part 15.
_________________ Tim It's not the Destination, It's the Journey.
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majoco
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 4:36 am |
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Joined: Mar Mon 17, 2008 5:05 am Posts: 5532 Location: Ashhurst, New Zealand
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processhead
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Tue 06, 2018 4:49 am |
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Joined: Jul Tue 15, 2008 6:13 pm Posts: 8962 Location: Gretna, Nebraska
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bluebellyyankee wrote: Paul,
Can you tell us how long the 9 volt battery lasts before it needs replaced? I have no idea how long it would operate on battery. Mine is in an enclosure with a telescoping antenna and it runs off a separate 12 volt power supply. There is a 12 volt power option where you add a resistor to the circuit board. It operates 24-7.
_________________ http://www.vintagerestorationservices.com Paul ...... how hard can it be?
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Mike'sAntqueRado
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Wed 07, 2018 5:29 pm |
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Joined: Feb Sat 03, 2018 4:54 am Posts: 8
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I have been using one of these for over a year, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Kit-LCD-3- ... Swv9hW1wu9A bit of searching and you could probably get a better price, I did. FM stereo for the house and then some. Use it with XM radio, bluegrass 24/7, powered by usb port. Mike
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bluebellyyankee
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 4:20 am |
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Joined: Feb Mon 13, 2017 10:46 pm Posts: 158 Location: Atlanta GA
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I received this transmitter today and I must say it works much better than I expected. It feels like a high quality device, not the cheap made in China feel I expected. It has two power settings and I have been running it on low power and it easily broadcast to all three floors of the house. I have not tested how far away from the house it is transmitting but I will tomorrow using my car. As strong as the signal is in my house I figure it will probably go about 50 yards or so. The frequency response seems full and the output level can actually be turned up high enough that it will play louder than the loudest local Rock and Roll FM station. Stereo separation seems normal or at least on par with regular FM broadcasts. On my vintage German radios it is definitely a better sounding alternative to plugging the iPod directly into the "tape" or "phono" inputs. As we all know these old radios play surprisingly strong and loud with the FM radio but sound a little thin or flat when using the "tape" or "phono" inputs so this is quite an improvement over using those inputs. Looks like I have a great sounding solution to listening to my iPod on my old radios. Thanks, BB https://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Broadca ... dpSrc=srch
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bluebellyyankee
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 3:14 pm |
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Joined: Feb Mon 13, 2017 10:46 pm Posts: 158 Location: Atlanta GA
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I got the chance this morning to see how far away from the house this transmitter is reaching and I was surprised to be able to get good reception up to 1200 feet away. Does anybody know if this is a problem with violating some kind of rule or law? I think that may be a bit too far to be acceptable. The transmitter was set on it's lowest setting when I tested this. The transmitter is in the basement about 5 feet below ground level. If this is a problem is there a way to cut the transmitter power to an acceptable level.
Thanks, BB
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Notimetolooz
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 6:20 pm |
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Joined: May Thu 14, 2015 4:15 pm Posts: 2999 Location: Dallas, TX
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I'd like to know what the rules are also. I assume you set it to broadcast on a frequency that doesn't have a station in your area. If you don't interfere with someone else's reception you might be OK anyway. RF transmitters might be prone to damage if they don't "see" the proper antenna impedance, otherwise switching to another (smaller) antenna would cut down on range. You might use some type of attenuator between the transmitter and the antenna.
_________________ Tim It's not the Destination, It's the Journey.
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Dave Doughty
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 8:08 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 18374 Location: Utica, NY 13502 (USA)
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Unlicensed transmitter operation in the FM band is exceedingly restrictive and is allowed only when verifiable field intensity measurements are conducted and kept on file for each installation. Attachment:
FCC Part 15.239.JPG [ 140.55 KiB | Viewed 2741 times ]
Dave
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AJJ
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 8:09 pm |
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Joined: Dec Wed 25, 2013 7:57 am Posts: 5341 Location: USA
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Regardless of the law, rules, or legal penalties, it's just good practice not to interfere with your neighbor's radios. The actual FCC (part 15) rules say unlicensed FM transmitters should not have an effective range over 200 feet: https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/low-pow ... ion#PART15
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majoco
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Post subject: Re: Using a FM transmitter for home Posted: Mar Thu 08, 2018 8:31 pm |
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Joined: Mar Mon 17, 2008 5:05 am Posts: 5532 Location: Ashhurst, New Zealand
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Push the antenna down until you get the coverage you want without going too far down the road........
_________________ Cheers - Martin ZL2MC
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