Low-powered FM broadcaster using a laptop

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:51 pm

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/rocketfm/
Just saw this on Kelly's Cool Tools. The RocketFM's page says its range is 30 feet. Plug the unit into your laptop's USB port for power and tune the device to "practically any frequency on the FM dial - 88.1 to 107.9."

I know this is not the range most Playacasters want for their FM, but I'm assuming someone can hack the device by adding a better antenna or boosting the power in some way.

Griffin thinks the RocketFM is so you can play your laptop's iTunes on any radio in your home. Having the unit in a car beats all the broadcasters I've seen that give you three FM frequencies, along the range of 88.1, 88.5, and 88.7, all of which conflict with local stations anywhere there's a town.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:01 pm

Hmm. I wonder if someone has written software designed to do the same thing without the restrictive junk they probably build in. I don't recall the output power on USB but I think it's 5 volts and less than a watt.

Dewey · Post by **Dewey** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 2:38 pm

griffin products are pretty decent quality. I manage a Radio Shack here in Seattle so I'm pretty familiar with them. The FCC has a hay day with FM transmittors so they are pretty well toned down. They work great if they are right next to their transmission source. I'm sure like you said phil, they could definitely use some modifications with the right knowledge. If you have knowledge like that, I'm sure building on of your own would be much much better. No FCC regulations to get in the way.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:43 pm

I've had one of those for a number of years..The only problem with it is having to go into a Radio Shack to buy it..Last year I run the dic player into it,that transmitted the sound to a solor radio (used to amp up) Then pluged into speakers..Run the whole mess off a small battery pack.. Added some small solor panels that helped the battery pack last three 6 hour days..Then used a 12v batteryfor the rest of the week..It was a rats nest of wires..

07 will see a nice packaged unit..MP3 into the transmitter, picked up on a FM car radio then speakers..No moving parts..dic and tape players kill battery time.. Also no voltage regulators, They eat batteries fast resistance heat..

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:07 pm

Hey, unjon, is that what you drove around with on the playa? Sounded pretty good and seemed to be a babe magnet, too. :->

Dewey · Post by **Dewey** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:24 pm

I'll give ya my discount :-) just gotta come to seattle hehe

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 6:25 pm

phil wrote:Hey, unjon, is that what you drove around with on the playa? Sounded pretty good and seemed to be a babe magnet, too. :->

\/
That it is, The MUsical Moop Machine..This year it will have a 1954 Caddy (pink)mock fender over the back wheel..And a jutbox cutout on the front..At home it dose duty as a hualer and enjoys it's time on he playa..Just like me it's old, ugly and tired but still in the game.. Oh ya...New seat, new handel bars and rebuilt wheels..

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:26 pm

unjonharley wrote:old, ugly and tired but still in the game

:-) I'm with ya, jon.

Fex · Post by **Fex** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:38 pm

Anybody have any experience with Ramsey transmitters? I have no experience with transmitting at all so I don't know the brands, but I've seen what look like good deals on their equipment.