miniature FM receiver - how to?

[Jeff]

Apologies if this is the wrong group, or not allowed.

A large time consuming hobby of mine involves sitting on a motorcycle
for several hundred miles at a time. I recently switched from a large
touring type machine (think Goldwing) to something a little smaller
that does not have a built in AM/FM/CD/Tape/CB/FRS/Coffee Maker to
something a little lighter, but really miss the background tunes
playing through my helmet speakers.

There are many aftermarket systems available to add such capability to
bikes that don't have them, but what I'm looking for doesn't seem to
exist.

I've already canabalized a pair of Koss earphones and mounted them into
my helmet, shortened the cable so that it just barely peaks out of the
bottom of the helmet for days when I don't want tunes, and use a 3foot
patch cable to an mp3 player on my hip on days that I do.

But that's not what I want to do. Even with the luxo-tourer, the cable
from my helmet to the biks was annoying at a minimum. I'd like to go
wireless. I'd like to permanently install an FM transmitter (like used
to broadcast an Ipod to a car stereo) on the bike, and install a small
FM receiver on/in the helmet. However, google has finally failed me in
my search for something that already exists that I can use. I'm
thinking a small 2x2 or 3x3 box that I can mount on the bottom/base of
the helmet, with two 1/8" stereo jacks, one for my helmet, one for a
passenger to plug in to (the passenger connection would be nice, but
definately not necessary.) It would need to run at a minimum of 4
hours on a 9v or smaller battery, and be fairly resistant to typical
motorcycle vibrations. Waterproof not needed, as long as I can unmount
it in a hurry. Needs enough volume to be heard, about the same volume
level as a standard MP3/Walkman type player would be fine, but louder
the better as earplugs should be worn.

Anybody seen or previously built anything that would work? Anybody
interested in building this? My experience in electronics invovles
plugging in a soldering iron, and that's about it.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Homer J Simpson]

I'd like to permanently install an FM transmitter (like used
to broadcast an Ipod to a car stereo) on the bike, and install a small
FM receiver on/in the helmet.

I've seen plenty of cheap FM receivers. But is it legal to listen to
headphones while riding?

 

[Jeff]

I've seen plenty of cheap FM receivers. But is it legal to listen to
headphones while riding?

Has to be legal somewhere, as they come as standard equipment on
several different makes/models of motorcycles.

 

[Matthieu Benoit]

have a look:
http://matthieu.benoit.free.fr/sc1088.pdf
http://matthieu.benoit.free.fr/TDA7088T_2.pdf

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Has to be legal somewhere, as they come as standard equipment on
several different makes/models of motorcycles.

I know it's frowned on while driving. So is it the transmitter that's the
problem? Have you looked at a copy of Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar?

 

[Jeff]

have a look:
http://matthieu.benoit.free.fr/sc1088.pdf
http://matthieu.benoit.free.fr/TDA7088T_2.pdf
Jeff wrote:

THANK YOU! Using the info from here I found something that I can hack
into a usable piece on Ebay in under 5 minutes.

 

[Jeff]

I know it's frowned on while driving. So is it the transmitter that's the
problem? Have you looked at a copy of Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar?

The speakers are designed to mount into the helmet, they arent earbuds
or tight fitting like you would normally wear for an MP3 player, etc.
You can still hear the engine, the wind, other traffic, horns, etc,
even at full volume, because they do not sit snug on the ear. It is
literally background music, identical to having a stereo in a car.

 

[Si Ballenger]

Apologies if this is the wrong group, or not allowed.

A large time consuming hobby of mine involves sitting on a motorcycle
for several hundred miles at a time. I recently switched from a large
touring type machine (think Goldwing) to something a little smaller
that does not have a built in AM/FM/CD/Tape/CB/FRS/Coffee Maker to
something a little lighter, but really miss the background tunes
playing through my helmet speakers.

There are many aftermarket systems available to add such capability to
bikes that don't have them, but what I'm looking for doesn't seem to
exist.

I've already canabalized a pair of Koss earphones and mounted them into
my helmet, shortened the cable so that it just barely peaks out of the
bottom of the helmet for days when I don't want tunes, and use a 3foot
patch cable to an mp3 player on my hip on days that I do.

But that's not what I want to do. Even with the luxo-tourer, the cable
from my helmet to the biks was annoying at a minimum. I'd like to go
wireless. I'd like to permanently install an FM transmitter (like used
to broadcast an Ipod to a car stereo) on the bike, and install a small
FM receiver on/in the helmet. However, google has finally failed me in
my search for something that already exists that I can use. I'm
thinking a small 2x2 or 3x3 box that I can mount on the bottom/base of
the helmet, with two 1/8" stereo jacks, one for my helmet, one for a
passenger to plug in to (the passenger connection would be nice, but
definately not necessary.) It would need to run at a minimum of 4
hours on a 9v or smaller battery, and be fairly resistant to typical
motorcycle vibrations. Waterproof not needed, as long as I can unmount
it in a hurry. Needs enough volume to be heard, about the same volume
level as a standard MP3/Walkman type player would be fine, but louder
the better as earplugs should be worn.

Anybody seen or previously built anything that would work? Anybody
interested in building this? My experience in electronics invovles
plugging in a soldering iron, and that's about it.

Thanks,
Jeff

A while back I got a small FM radio with ear buds at the
DollarTree (where everything is just $1). It is auto scanning for
stations (press the button to advance the station). Not sure if
it is stereo. Runs on 2 AAA batterys. For just $1 I couldn't pass
up getting one for tinkering.