FM Transmitter

[Atlas]

Gents,

I've been searching the sites looking for information on FM transmitters. Here's my situation: There are some programs I like to listen to online that are not broadcast on a radio station I am within distance of receiving (example: Lars Larson). My thought is to set up a FM x-mitter to broadcast these streaming programs so I can listen to them while in the barn, yard, or getting some seat time.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Ken]

Look into the radios transmitters (low power) used by real estate agents to tell of interested partys to hear the details of the house. Now don't know where or the price of this radio would be.
Maybe speaker wire and speakers would be cheaper.
A Antenna for channel 6 also is close to the f.m. freq. also antenna for r.v. f.m. included this has the pre amp built in.
maybe this will help .
ken

 

[kf4uda]

We had a cheap set of wireless headphones that my wife listened to while mowing the yard. We would plug the base into a stereo receiver. They had a little over a 100ft range. Here is a good brand that has a range of 328ft. I have never used this set but do have a bluetooth stereo headset of this brand. It works great.


[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS120-Wireless-Headphones-Charging/dp/B0001FTVEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336871594&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Sennheiser RS120 926 MHz Wireless RF Headphones with Charging Cradle: Electronics[/ame]

 

[flyerdan]

I have one, picked it up on ebay a few years ago. It's called an en tempo and it plugs right into the mini headphone jack on the computer speakers. Full digital tuning so you can find an unused spot (I run mine on 87.5) and it easily feeds a good signal to the shop, probably about 70 feet through wood framed walls. I'd imagine that doing a little antenna upgrading could probably give it a better pattern for use while mowing, etc.

 

[DieselMonk]

I built one 10 years ago out of a kit. It is a low power unit and the input are RCA plugs. Works off AA batteries or wall cube. I mounted it inside a see through Ferrero Roche box, along with a home made antenna. I still have it... somewere...

 

[rsewill]

Not what you are seeking but if nothing else works out you can get Lars on a podcast to listen anytime. About $50 a year.

 

[Pete Judd]

I have one that cost me about 10 bucks at Wally World. It is called an FM modulator and it's for an I-pod/mp3 player so you can listen to it on the FM radio in the car. Out in the shop, I have a cable that goes from the headphone jack on the computer to the stereo, about 8 bucks at radio shack, depending on the distance between the computer and the stereo. 1/8 inch plug on one end, and 2 RCA jacks on the other. I just run it into an unused vcr audio imput on the stereo.

 

[hydro2]

I bought one from CC Crane. Out worked great. Check out their webpage. I now use a wi fi radio from CC Crane that hooks to the wi fi and is powered by Reviva. I can also download I heart radio app if u.have a smart done or tablet and get most streaming stations...

 

[KTurner]

Some radio stations have apps that will let you listen to their station using a smart phone. If you have a smart phone, that could be a solution.

Another solution would be to record the programs to MP3 and listen to them on an MP3 player.

I'm a little skeptical that one of those little fm transmitters would work well, unless you're really limiting your distance from the transmitter. A lot of these are designed as a way to easily get an external audio source playing on a car stereo (required range = ~5 ft).

Keith

 

[beppington]

Isn't it illegal to transmit FM without an FCC license?

Or maybe there's a certain power level you can stay below & stay legal.

 

[KTurner]

Isn't it illegal to transmit FM without an FCC license?

Or maybe there's a certain power level you can stay below & stay legal.

Normally yes, but these types of devices are allowed to transmit through "Part 15". The power level is very low. I believe the regs(/laws) are worded in such a way that it factors in antenna design, so you can't use a super duper antenna to increase your range.

Keith

 

[Depmandog]

Gents,

I've been searching the sites looking for information on FM transmitters. Here's my situation: There are some programs I like to listen to online that are not broadcast on a radio station I am within distance of receiving (example: Lars Larson). My thought is to set up a FM x-mitter to broadcast these streaming programs so I can listen to them while in the barn, yard, or getting some seat time.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

If you have a smartphone and sufficient data coverage (wifi at home or good cell reception) you could just use your phone (iPhone or similar) and headphones.

This would work for live streaming or even better if you download and listen to the "podcast" or "taped / pre recorded" show. With the podcast you wouldn't need cell or wifi coverage.

 

[wotalota]

An earlier version of the one here has worked well for me plugged into the computer. I have left it powered on continuously for about 10 years now to listen to remote station's music.

An FM Transmitter That Works! – Whole House FM Transmitter® 2.0

 

[Larry Caldwell]

There's not much broadcast radio at my house, just 5 FM stations and 3 AM stations. The rest of the band is blank. I could set up a 10 watt transmitter and nobody would care, except a few of the neighbors might tune in.

 

[Atlas]

Thanks for the replies gents. I'm looking for something that will get out to the back forty so I need about a quarter mile range. Cell signal is poor here so a smart phone won't work.

 

[Maxify55]

The bank says I own a horse farm here in north Florida.

Here's how we get music broadcast down to the barn from our
home PC's via our router.

Premiertek.net - NETWORKING

We have customers that like to check their email accts., or even
Physicians check on patient status at the local hosp via the net.

I guess what I'm asking is: Why stop at FM transmission?

For $150, a short ethernet cable and some software encryption
you'll have brought your barn into the new millenia.

Of course, if you're stuck in the 80's......?

 

[newbury]

The bank says I own a horse farm here in north Florida.

Here's how we get music broadcast down to the barn from our
home PC's via our router.

Premiertek.net - NETWORKING

We have customers that like to check their email accts., or even
Physicians check on patient status at the local hosp via the net.

I guess what I'm asking is: Why stop at FM transmission?

For $150, a short ethernet cable and some software encryption
you'll have brought your barn into the new millenia.

Of course, if you're stuck in the 80's......?

Do you use the equipment you linked?
Some wireless chips, like my FOSCAM don't do A band at all.

 

[Maxify55]

My apologies for posting the incorrect link. Here's the unit
we purchased:

Premiertek.net - NETWORKING

At the time of our purchase there was no repeater offered.
All we installed was the router/transmitter.

It's a very small farm but we wanted to offer customers a little
something extra that they couldn't get somewhere else.

That, plus the owner does like to listen to music and accept phone calls from his headset while in the fields.