FM transmitter - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Boom · 19th Sep 2011, 8:25 pm

Any recommendations for an FM transmitter for home use? I understand these are legal in the UK.

I'm after a stereo version. Either a kit or ready built with synthesiser.

Thanks

paulsherwin · 19th Sep 2011, 8:33 pm

Many forum members use a Linex. These are not CE marked so technically illegal, but shouldn't attract attention if used responsibly.

There is a very wide range of alternatives. Anything marketed as for an iPod or mp3 player should be OK though performance varies. All will be stereo. Some will be CE marked and some not, and some of the CE marks will be genuine and some not.

Phil G4SPZ · 19th Sep 2011, 10:24 pm

I picked one up at my local petrol filling station for under £5, and it provides excellent quality audio, as well as being tunable across the whole FM band. The range is barely a few metres, enough to work to the car radio but insufficient to attract the attention of the Authorities, as the output can't be more than a few mW.

Remove the AAA batteries when not in use; they run down whether or not the transmitter is active.

davegsm82 · 19th Sep 2011, 11:25 pm

I've had a few, the belkin tunecast 2 (II) is probably the best i've found. Bass is something that small TX's seem to struggle with, that one copes admirably where others 'crunch'.

Dave.

Mach One · 22nd Sep 2011, 3:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by davegsm82

I've had a few, the belkin tunecast 2 (II) is probably the best i've found.
Dave.

That's the one I would suggest, too. Mine was bought around the time they became legal and does not have an audio limiter in it as far as I can tell, so if you get the modulation just right it is excellent. I don't know if any subsequent versions some five or so years on have had to fit this facility?

Boom · 26th Sep 2011, 7:48 pm

Thanks for the response. I've just checked and my local Halfords have the Belkin tunecast II at just £20 so I'll pop in later this week and get one.

Boom · 27th Sep 2011, 11:08 am

I just went to place an order for this with Halfords and Amazon have it for £10.37. How bad's that?

Boom · 29th Sep 2011, 3:59 pm

The Belkin Tunecast II arrived today. A very neat little thing it is too and very easy to work.

Audio quaility seems very acceptable but the range of the unit is extremely disapointing. The signal just makes it from one room to the next room and even that is hissy due to the low level. No signal at all makes it to the front room downstairs and there is nowhere to plug in a length of wire to use as an external radiator to improve things.

I'll have to look into what exactly is allowed for these low powered units but it might be that what I am getting is it. Fine if the unit is immediately next to the radio but useless for covering the house.

paulsherwin · 29th Sep 2011, 4:59 pm

You may be able to modify the aerial arrangement to extend the range, though this would invalidate the CE certification and make the transmitter illegal to operate. The (unapproved) Linex mentioned above uses about a metre of wire as an aerial and covers the house and patio quite well though the signal is almost gone at the bottom of the garden.

Boom · 29th Sep 2011, 5:18 pm

Thanks Paul. I think the Linex will be next. I've been messing with the Belkin and twisting a piece of wire around it to act as a radiator improves things but still doesn't produce what I would call a useful signal throughout the house.

Tom_I · 29th Sep 2011, 7:14 pm

Extending the length of the cable between the source and the transmitter can make a dramatic difference with these devices - the cable acts as the aerial.

At least I assume it makes a difference - of course I've never tried it myself.

That said, I've not been particularly impressed with the Belkin Tunecast 2. A couple of years ago I bought a Cygnett CY3FMT. It's an obsolete model now, though other Cygnett models can be had from Amazon. I've found it significantly better than the Belkin in terms of both range and sound quality.

19th Sep 2011, 8:25 pm	#1
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	FM transmitter Any recommendations for an FM transmitter for home use? I understand these are legal in the UK. I'm after a stereo version. Either a kit or ready built with synthesiser. Thanks

19th Sep 2011, 8:33 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: FM transmitter Many forum members use a Linex. These are not CE marked so technically illegal, but shouldn't attract attention if used responsibly. There is a very wide range of alternatives. Anything marketed as for an iPod or mp3 player should be OK though performance varies. All will be stereo. Some will be CE marked and some not, and some of the CE marks will be genuine and some not.

19th Sep 2011, 10:24 pm	#3
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: FM transmitter I picked one up at my local petrol filling station for under £5, and it provides excellent quality audio, as well as being tunable across the whole FM band. The range is barely a few metres, enough to work to the car radio but insufficient to attract the attention of the Authorities, as the output can't be more than a few mW. Remove the AAA batteries when not in use; they run down whether or not the transmitter is active. __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

19th Sep 2011, 11:25 pm	#4
davegsm82 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Blyth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 858	Re: FM transmitter I've had a few, the belkin tunecast 2 (II) is probably the best i've found. Bass is something that small TX's seem to struggle with, that one copes admirably where others 'crunch'. Dave.

26th Sep 2011, 7:48 pm	#6
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: FM transmitter Thanks for the response. I've just checked and my local Halfords have the Belkin tunecast II at just £20 so I'll pop in later this week and get one.

27th Sep 2011, 11:08 am	#7
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: FM transmitter I just went to place an order for this with Halfords and Amazon have it for £10.37. How bad's that?

29th Sep 2011, 3:59 pm	#8
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: FM transmitter The Belkin Tunecast II arrived today. A very neat little thing it is too and very easy to work. Audio quaility seems very acceptable but the range of the unit is extremely disapointing. The signal just makes it from one room to the next room and even that is hissy due to the low level. No signal at all makes it to the front room downstairs and there is nowhere to plug in a length of wire to use as an external radiator to improve things. I'll have to look into what exactly is allowed for these low powered units but it might be that what I am getting is it. Fine if the unit is immediately next to the radio but useless for covering the house.

29th Sep 2011, 4:59 pm	#9
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: FM transmitter You may be able to modify the aerial arrangement to extend the range, though this would invalidate the CE certification and make the transmitter illegal to operate. The (unapproved) Linex mentioned above uses about a metre of wire as an aerial and covers the house and patio quite well though the signal is almost gone at the bottom of the garden.

29th Sep 2011, 5:18 pm	#10
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: FM transmitter Thanks Paul. I think the Linex will be next. I've been messing with the Belkin and twisting a piece of wire around it to act as a radiator improves things but still doesn't produce what I would call a useful signal throughout the house.

29th Sep 2011, 7:14 pm	#11
Tom_I Heptode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Herts. UK. Posts: 549	Re: FM transmitter Extending the length of the cable between the source and the transmitter can make a dramatic difference with these devices - the cable acts as the aerial. At least I assume it makes a difference - of course I've never tried it myself. That said, I've not been particularly impressed with the Belkin Tunecast 2. A couple of years ago I bought a Cygnett CY3FMT. It's an obsolete model now, though other Cygnett models can be had from Amazon. I've found it significantly better than the Belkin in terms of both range and sound quality.