Sunday, January 20, 2008

Digital FM Radio and Transmitter for iPods


First tip, there is a a moment of latency after plugging it into the cigarette lighter or plugging an iPod into it. For a few seconds but often less than five seconds, there may be static as the device is acquiring the iPod or before it begins transmitting on the FM signal.

Also, and this has to be said because it obvious some people are unaware of radio frequency warbling after reading some of the reviews, FM frequencies bleed over incrementally, in other words if you have a strong radio station broadcasting on 102.3, you're also gonna hear a weaker version of their signal on 102.1 and 102.5, this phenomena is called "warbling". It is almost funny watching the newer generation (that has never used FM radio) being introduced to the idiosyncrasies because they're trying to plug in their digital iPod into their analog car audio.

If your car FM tuner has a traditional tuner, meaning a button or analog dial that lets you rake across the entire RF range then you need to use it to find a truly unused frequency between two radio stations then tune your Belkin to it. Just using the "seek" function on your car stereo is always going to land you on a strong channel and trying to pick an empty freq off of it will perpetually frustrate you.

Some reviewers complained the device doesn't work as well in certain areas, or around mountains. That is irrational since this device is a mini radio station broadcasting to your car antenna, the reason it stops working around some mountains is because the mountains are affecting a broadcast radio station in your area and it is stronger in the spot you're having problems.

Again, the solution is to find empty airwaves for your FM tuner and this effect won't matter.

Here is a factoid that applies to most areas in the USA, National Public Radio (NPR) is often in the 89 - 91 MHz frequency range, and NPR being publicly funded doesn't have the strongest wattage so you can find an open frequency 2-3 frequencies off NPR and get clean sound with your FM mini transmitter.

View product details at Amazon

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