miniature FM receiver - how to?

[Jeff]

I also posted this on sci.electronics.components.


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

 

[Jim Thompson]

I also posted this on sci.electronics.components.


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

Can't you find something done in Bluetooth that you could easily
adapt?

...Jim Thompson

 

[James Thompson]

I also posted this on sci.electronics.components.


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

What you can do is use a standard transistor pocket radio, and a small
transmitter like you mentioned for the ipod/mp3 players. I don't see why
that arrangement wont work. But a must is have 2 rabbit ear antennas
mounted on top of your helmet. Well really not a must, but would look cool
with a green helmet.

 

[quietguy]

Very small fm radios are available for $10 or less from most chain stores,
DSE, Jaycar, etc etc, as are fm xmitters that you can plug a radio or mp3
player etc etc into. Costs are from $10 (I bought one for $9.95 a few
weeks ago and it works fine on my GPS) to $50.

So, what you want is readily available, and I would suggest just buy two
of the fm radios - one for you and one for passenger - no more cables

David

 

[John Woodgate]

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.

That's very surprising. Wireless headphones have been around for quite a
while and I'm using a pair at this moment. A Google search for 'wireless
headphones' gives 35 million hits, but I notice a dearth of US sites.
Are they not allowed in US?

 

[default]

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.

Sony "Sports Walkman" radios are pretty good. I've got an old SR-5
model plays only FM, two AAA batteries, and just about the size and
shape of 4 AAA batteries - gasketed to keep out water with O rings on
all the controls. Excellent fidelity, good battery life, damn near
indestructible, great stereo separation and sensitivity.

There are too many different models out there now - many already built
into the headband earphones. Mine came with an armband and was
intended to use while jogging.

 

[Si Ballenger]

Very small fm radios are available for $10 or less from most chain stores,
DSE, Jaycar, etc etc, as are fm xmitters that you can plug a radio or mp3
player etc etc into. Costs are from $10 (I bought one for $9.95 a few
weeks ago and it works fine on my GPS) to $50.

The local "DollarTree" store has small AAA battery powered FM
radios with auto scan for $1 including ear buds (also has a built
in LED light!).

 

[Homer J Simpson]

That's very surprising. Wireless headphones have been around for quite a
while and I'm using a pair at this moment. A Google search for 'wireless
headphones' gives 35 million hits, but I notice a dearth of US sites. Are
they not allowed in US?

Try searching for IR headphones

 

[John Woodgate]

Try searching for IR headphones

I don't think IR headphones would work very well on a motor cycle.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

I don't think IR headphones would work very well on a motor cycle.

Most people don't ride them in their living rooms either:

"... but I notice a dearth of US sites. Are they not allowed in US?"

 

[DaveM]

I also posted this on sci.electronics.components.


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

Check this one out.... just what the Dr. ordered
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14917

--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the
address)

Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant.

 

[John Woodgate]

Most people don't ride them in their living rooms either:

"... but I notice a dearth of US sites. Are they not allowed in US?"

This is what the OP asked for:

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.

Everybody (except me) has assumed that means broadcast-band
transmission. Wireless headphones do it at UHF, and are legal (in
Europe, anyway).

 

[DaveM]

--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the
address)

Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant.
If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot.
One of us is thinking about sex... OK, it's me.
They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.

Check this one out.... just what the Dr. ordered
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14917

--

Oops... Forgot to include the transmitter...

 

[DaveM]

Check this one out.... just what the Dr. ordered
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14917

--

Oops... Forgot to include the transmitter..
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Belk...sem/rpsm/oid/124368/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Cheers!!!

Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the
address)

Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant.

 

[rickman]

Check this one out.... just what the Dr. ordered
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14917

Looks just like the ones they sell at my local dollar store for a buck!

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Everybody (except me) has assumed that means broadcast-band transmission.
Wireless headphones do it at UHF, and are legal (in Europe, anyway).

You wanted a search that gave US hits.

 

[John Woodgate]

You wanted a search that gave US hits.

Well, I don't want anything (except the solution to my 3D magnetic field
plot simulation that WILL NOT agree with my measurements) -(