Fm Modulator (anyone?)

scobad · 02-01-06, 03:15 PM

So, how are people connecting through their car stereo?

I picked up (walmart) the Belkin Tune Cast II Mobile FM Transmitter from walmart..

Not bad - but...Sometimes, I get static on it...So if you are playing your Axim through your car stereo, how? What is the best way?

Thanks everyone...

knight1492 · 02-01-06, 03:29 PM

I tried the FM modulator and got alot of hiss. Bought a cassette adapter from Radio Shack...totally flawless. An old technology with a surprising result.I completely recommend it

Khris · 02-01-06, 03:49 PM

If you have a direct input on your car stereo, this is the best way. If not, then a cassette adaptor (if you have a cassette player), otherwise the only other option is an FM Transmitter.

raylo · 02-01-06, 04:08 PM

One other possibility is a wired FM modulator like the kind that comes with the XM radio car install kits. It requires connections to a 12v power source and the vehicle's antenna. When powered on it blocks the incoming over-the-air antenna signal and transmits the outgoing XM (or you could patch in the Axim audio out) signal through the antenna wire into the stereo receiver on a choice of 2 FM frequencies. A little more trouble, no doubt, but there may not be as much static as with a wireless FM modulator. I've never used a wirelss type so I can't say for sure. But it works great with the XM radio.

Originally Posted by Khris

If you have a direct input on your car stereo, this is the best way. If not, then a cassette adaptor (if you have a cassette player), otherwise the only other option is an FM Transmitter.

nakedracer · 02-01-06, 04:53 PM

I bought a car deck for around $100, a pioneer (mp3 cd) from futureshop, and then I bought the optional adapter for it, which adds an aux-in to it. It plugs into the back of the deck into the cd changer plug input, and on the other end of the wire/adapter is 2 rca inputs for crystal clear stereo sound input. So I just plug in a 1/8 inch to rca adapter into my axim and I'm set. Just check out the pioneer decks because they are the cheapest when you get em on sale, plus make sure you can get the aux-in adapter for it.

dougsnell · 02-01-06, 07:43 PM

Make sure you aren't powering both your FM modulator and Axim off your cigarette lighter (does anyone actually use those to light cigarettes anymore?).

Other than that, change stations to find a station with little interference. I have yet to really understand why, but I find my modulator works best when I use a local radio station's channel.

scobad · 02-01-06, 07:56 PM

Hmm, I was thinking of the New CD Deck option...That Cd is From a 2005 Frontier..(Stock) would not be that bad to upgrade..Guess I will save up...

Now, Dougsnell...What do you mean? I have two lighter plugs (inputs) I use one for the Dell and 1 for the Fm modulator..Bad idea? Uh OH>...

scorpion9k · 02-01-06, 08:20 PM

yea i actually got a Y cable, the red/white to 3.5mm jack and installed it into the Aux port of my radio. I did this for my XM radio because i was sick and tired of static from the FM modulator. I HATE static, its a pet peave. so yea i plugged the axim into that the other night and was playing music off that, its great. no static, perfect sound

dougsnell · 02-01-06, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by scobad

Hmm, I was thinking of the New CD Deck option...That Cd is From a 2005 Frontier..(Stock) would not be that bad to upgrade..Guess I will save up...

Now, Dougsnell...What do you mean? I have two lighter plugs (inputs) I use one for the Dell and 1 for the Fm modulator..Bad idea? Uh OH>...

In and of itself, there's nothing 'bad' about it (AFAIK) ... other than the damage you might do to your ears ;)

But typically you'll get a hiss, high-pitched squeal, you'll hear a noise that increases in pitch as you accelerate, or some combination thereof. I don't know if two separate lighter plugs will create the same feedback loop ... my experience has been with splitters.

I'm sure someone with an engineering background could explain what's going on (whether we could we understand them is another question), but I'm more of a software guy that knows basic electronics. I can use a soldering iron ... but I wouldn't dare try to fix a computer with one (although if it's toasted, I have been known to ensure something is completely and irrevocably toasted ... it's worth the 1-in-100 chance you accidentally do something, just to see their face) :D

thekash · 02-02-06, 12:34 AM

actually you only get that pitch if your using a lower end FM-Mod... the ones we sell use digital filter frequencies and have a built in sound filter... basically just need something that'll get rid of static build-up that runs in your cars body from all the electrical wiring under your carpets etc. (get shock sometimes when you get out of the car etc.) i use mine to run my axim, DVD player, xbox, car-computer and GPS Navi through it... the only time i get sound that isn't what i expect is when my cellphone goes off and my phone is near the deck, or above where the modulator is placed... if want to know something specific on how to wire in your car... just pm me and i'll help you out as much as i can...

personally i think that is the way to go, the wireless FM transmitters just have too much interference... can get very annoying...

Kamel · 02-02-06, 12:40 AM

i have gotten several fm broadcasting devices for the car, and i get static in every one of them. the latest radio shack pos i got i sat directly touching the antenna and still got static. i don't see how they can seriously consider this a working product.

the only one that i have read about being good cost somewhere in the vacinity of $70-100. i gave up and decided to build my own. to this day i still haven't done it :(. the main disappointment was that i could not find any sane schematics with a PLL controller to lock the frequency. the frequency drift i get on the kit i've currently made is absolutely rediculous.

point of saying all of this? be careful when buying fm broadcasting devices. for some reason, people think they should be rediculously weak.

edit: for the record, i have done a lot of studying on FCC laws, and i can tell you for sure that they do not do this because of FCC laws. they are by a long shot under the maximum permitted fm transmit strength.

coach_ng · 02-02-06, 10:31 PM

Same as Nakedracer

I just got my IP bus connector for my Pioneer head unit off of ebay. Will connect it tomorrow before I head out to work.

scobad · 02-03-06, 08:57 AM

Does anyone know if my stock Radio (2005 Nissan Frontier XE) has a AUX PORT?

coach_ng · 02-03-06, 09:41 AM

check your manual and see if you can install a CD changer.
doesn't your deck have an aux button or cd changer button?

scobad · 02-03-06, 11:03 AM

Where would I get the manual?