Good, off-the-shelf FM Transmitter?

[Rick Measham]

I'm building a new house and will be CAT5ing it for computer/telephony ..

The main server holds our music database in the form of MP3 files plus
an FM Radio and each other computer is able to control the music being
played. Around the house we'll have various stereo systems.

I want to set up an FM transmitter on the central server at a frequency
and strength that the rest of the radios in the house can get a great
signal off it, thus providing a 'networked' stereo.

Offerings from Jaycar (such as
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5310) are in kit form and
don't seem to have the power I'd like (sure 35 meters is fine, but you
never get what they offer on the packaging!) and I don't really want to
build a kit.

Does anyone know of a useful FM transmitter that is off-the-shelf?

Cheers!
Rick Measham

 

[Phil Allison]

"Rick Measham"

I want to set up an FM transmitter on the central server at a frequency
and strength that the rest of the radios in the house can get a great
signal off it, thus providing a 'networked' stereo.

Offerings from Jaycar (such as
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5310) are in kit form and
don't seem to have the power I'd like (sure 35 meters is fine, but you
never get what they offer on the packaging!) and I don't really want to
build a kit.

Does anyone know of a useful FM transmitter that is off-the-shelf?

** No low powered ( ie flea powered & legal ) broadcast band FM transmitter
will give good results when used indoors.

A transmitter that did have enough power would be broadcasting music to the
whole neighbourhood.

The only suggestion I have is to send the FM signal down a 75 ohm co-axial
cable with taps to each receiver.



.......... Phil

 

[Tom]

I'm building a new house and will be CAT5ing it for computer/telephony ..

The main server holds our music database in the form of MP3 files plus
an FM Radio and each other computer is able to control the music being
played. Around the house we'll have various stereo systems.

I want to set up an FM transmitter on the central server at a frequency
and strength that the rest of the radios in the house can get a great
signal off it, thus providing a 'networked' stereo.

Offerings from Jaycar (such as
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5310) are in kit form and
don't seem to have the power I'd like (sure 35 meters is fine, but you
never get what they offer on the packaging!) and I don't really want to
build a kit.

Does anyone know of a useful FM transmitter that is off-the-shelf?

Can't help you with a ready made one. I've tried Belkin as sold by DSE -
avoid it because its shit (I got about 0.5 m out of it).

I've just got http://www.oatleyelectronics.com/txandrx.html but haven't
tried it yet, I hope it will work in my house - max 15 m with up to 3
gyprock walls between transmitter and receivers.

Tom

 

[Fraser Johnston]

I'm building a new house and will be CAT5ing it for computer/telephony ..

The main server holds our music database in the form of MP3 files plus an
FM Radio and each other computer is able to control the music being
played. Around the house we'll have various stereo systems.

I want to set up an FM transmitter on the central server at a frequency
and strength that the rest of the radios in the house can get a great
signal off it, thus providing a 'networked' stereo.

Offerings from Jaycar (such as
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5310) are in kit form and
don't seem to have the power I'd like (sure 35 meters is fine, but you
never get what they offer on the packaging!) and I don't really want to
build a kit.

Does anyone know of a useful FM transmitter that is off-the-shelf?

You can get a wireless video audio sender for $99. Just use the audio.

Fraser

 

[Phil Allison]

"Fraser Johnston"

You can get a wireless video audio sender for $99. Just use the audio.

** Means the OP would need an AV receiver unit for each room.





......... Phil

 

[eltan]

If u mean the $99 from DSE, Tandy & BigW etc..., it does not multiple
receivers and may be intefered by 2.4Ghz cordless phone.

 

[Alex Gibson]

I'm building a new house and will be CAT5ing it for computer/telephony ..

The main server holds our music database in the form of MP3 files plus an
FM Radio and each other computer is able to control the music being
played. Around the house we'll have various stereo systems.

I want to set up an FM transmitter on the central server at a frequency
and strength that the rest of the radios in the house can get a great
signal off it, thus providing a 'networked' stereo.

Offerings from Jaycar (such as
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5310) are in kit form and
don't seem to have the power I'd like (sure 35 meters is fine, but you
never get what they offer on the packaging!) and I don't really want to
build a kit.

Does anyone know of a useful FM transmitter that is off-the-shelf?

Cheers!
Rick Measham

Why not stream it over the network ?

One of the entries in a recent circuit cellar contest was
a internet radio receiver. Instead of using internet just use your own
server
Could even attach a FM radio card and stream that through the house.

http://www.dtweed.com/circuitcellar/caj00178.htm net radio

Or if you have enough pc's use some thing like itunes.

Alex

 

[Fraser Johnston]

If u mean the $99 from DSE, Tandy & BigW etc..., it does not multiple
receivers and may be intefered by 2.4Ghz cordless phone.

You can get extra recievers for about 60 bucks. I have a 2.4GHz phone (2 in
fact) + wifi + baby monitor and they are crystal clear. Only thing that
plays havoc with them is the microwave oven.

Fraser

 

[RMD]

I'm building a new house and will be CAT5ing it for computer/telephony ..

The main server holds our music database in the form of MP3 files plus
an FM Radio and each other computer is able to control the music being
played. Around the house we'll have various stereo systems.

I want to set up an FM transmitter on the central server at a frequency
and strength that the rest of the radios in the house can get a great
signal off it, thus providing a 'networked' stereo.

Offerings from Jaycar (such as
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=KC5310) are in kit form and
don't seem to have the power I'd like (sure 35 meters is fine, but you
never get what they offer on the packaging!) and I don't really want to
build a kit.

Does anyone know of a useful FM transmitter that is off-the-shelf?

Cheers!
Rick Measham

Rick,

I've found you get much better range out of these these FM
transmitters if you use a really long audio lead (as long as you have,
mine is 10 feet or so) to attach the audio source to the transmitter.

I usually sling the long audio lead over a nearby curtain rail to
improve the FM radiated power.

I think they actually use the audio lead as their antennae, which is
why lengthening the lead works.

Ross



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