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| Thread ID: 78451 | 2007-04-16 03:23:00 | Belkin TuneCast 3 FM Transmitter range? | Billy T (70) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 541404 | 2007-04-16 03:23:00 | Anybody here got one of these units? They are relatively new on the market and replace the Tunecast 2. I bought one from DSE to send content from my MP3 player to the car stereo. Prior to this I had a cheapie from Jaycar that worked fine but chewed through batteries like there was no tomorrow, but now I find that the Belkin doesn't put out enough signal to reach the antenna embedded in the rear window (Mazda 6 Station Wagon) so I have to put it on the back seat to get it to work at all. Clearly there is something wrong with it but before I take it back to DSE I thought I'd see if anybody else had this experience. Yes, the stereo is OK and has full sensitivity across the FM band. I've tried the Belkin at both ends of the band as well and also phoned their help line but they are more set up to ask if you plugged it in and tuned it properly than to answer range queries. There's nothing in the handbook about range either, but the Belkin 2 was quoted at 10-30 feet and I found an internet site that said that for the 3 as well, but I suspect it was just a quick rewrite of their old Belkin 2 blurb. It is a really nice little unit so I hope it is just a one-off fault. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 541405 | 2007-04-16 05:57:00 | You need a set of rabbits ears connected to extend the range? | godfather (25) | ||
| 541406 | 2007-04-16 07:20:00 | You need a set of rabbits ears connected to extend the range? Maybe you are joking, not sure. There is no provision to connect an antenna on these units. When I was in Malaysia I nearly bought a Belkin but a knowledgeable sales guy (in a mega electronics complex - a techie geek heaven) advised me to get another one (no brand) because it had the best range by far. Glad I did. When painting the house or doing other work, I listen to internet radio via the FM transmitter from Malaysia. The car radio actually picks up the signal 10 houses away! Billy - hopefully someone will post useful info for you, if not for the Belkin then for a unit you can buy here in NZ, or order online from overseas. At least you can get a refund at DSE. |
Strommer (42) | ||
| 541407 | 2007-04-16 07:34:00 | You need a set of rabbits ears connected to extend the range?LOL It doesn't even have an antenna system, so I assume that the connecting lead to the source is meant to fulfil that purpose . Maybe I should do a Tim the Toolman Taylor on it and give it more power! Bugger the 3 volt batteries, hook it up direct to the alternator . :D I'm going to do some range tests to a portable FM receiver and see what results I get . Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 541408 | 2007-04-16 07:54:00 | The correct way to do it is to remove the rear window and place it in the passenger seat, extending the antenna cabling as required. A real radio ham would put a 100 watt amp on it, then leave the unit in the office on an omnidirectional antenna. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 541409 | 2007-04-16 08:53:00 | Anybody here got one of these units? They are relatively new on the market and replace the Tunecast 2. I bought one from DSE to send content from my MP3 player to the car stereo. Billy 8-{) Recently our daughter and her flatmate travelled up from the capital city to see us. On the way they bought from Noel Leeming one of these for our daughter's flatmates iPod. Despite the prolonged attentions of the young men in Noel Leeming's they could not get it to work and (good on them !!) got a refund. I have had the previous version for about 15/17 months now but no prob. Misty :D Moral of the story is - even if you wear your mini Billy you are unlikely to get a good result. Keep to the previous version :) :) |
Misty (368) | ||
| 541410 | 2007-04-16 09:48:00 | FWIW, here is a Jaycar unit that claims a range up to 1 km ! www.jaycar.co.nz And this is the one I bought in Malaysia: jintium.en.alibaba.com 7_.html |
Strommer (42) | ||
| 541411 | 2007-04-16 09:50:00 | (edit) now I see that 1 km Jaycar transmitter has a microphone so not sure if it would accept output from an mp3 player. Impedence must match... | Strommer (42) | ||
| 541412 | 2007-04-16 11:57:00 | (edit) now I see that 1 km Jaycar transmitter has a microphone so not sure if it would accept output from an mp3 player. Impedence must match... It is single channel FM audio Steve, not stero so it wouldn't do the job. Tomorrow's range tests will decide the Belkin's fate! I have an RF field strength meter here somewhere too but for the life of me I can't think where I put it. It's Misty's fault, that talk of putting on minis was off-putting and sent my mind down tracks unrelated to FM transmitters. Cheers Billy 8-{) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 541413 | 2007-04-16 20:02:00 | that talk of putting on minis was off-putting and sent my mind down tracks unrelated to FM transmitters . :lol: :stare: :lol: BTW, I am impressed that you have an RF field strength meter . Its been years since I used one of those . |
Strommer (42) | ||
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