88.3 FM ... I-pod, Sirius, XM wasteland

[elevator_opratr]

Is it me, or is 88.3 FM becoming a wasteland of part-15 XM, Sirius, and I-pod mini transmitters? Drive down the road with 88.3 FM turned on (the default frequency for most of those mini transmitters for people with XM, Sirius, and I-pods), and about one in every 20 or so cars you pass, you get to hear all sorts of crazy stuff (whatever is playing in someone's car).

And, if you're like me, who actually owns one of those little things (XM's Roady 2), every so often, you hear static cut into your XM listening, and occasionally, if you're close enough to another car using one, interference. It's not really at the point of problems yet, but I'm thinking that theoretically if everyone someday got one of those things in their car, it'd practically be impossible to have a clean signal for your personal music listening as you pass other cars! And what about regular radio stations on 88.3 FM? Anymore, it's hard to tell if you're listening to a personal part-15 TX or a real station when tuned into that frequency. lol

A funny related story. Someone I know who didn't understand these little XM, Sirius, and I-pod transmitters was telling me about his recent drive on a local expressway where he was picking up a Sirius channel on 88.3 FM for about 10 miles. He was thinking that there was some massive-powered pirate in the area on that frequency rebroadcasting Sirius. Until I told him he was probably following a car with one of those transmitters for 10 miles. He looked at me and was like "oh crap. Never thought of that!" LOL

 

[JeremyAndrews]

> Is it me, or is 88.3 FM becoming a wasteland of part-15 XM,
> Sirius, and I-pod mini transmitters? Drive down the road
> with 88.3 FM turned on (the default frequency for most of
> those mini transmitters for people with XM, Sirius, and
> I-pods), and about one in every 20 or so cars you pass, you
> get to hear all sorts of crazy stuff (whatever is playing in
> someone's car).
>
> And, if you're like me, who actually owns one of those
> little things (XM's Roady 2), every so often, you hear
> static cut into your XM listening, and occasionally, if
> you're close enough to another car using one, interference.
> It's not really at the point of problems yet, but I'm
> thinking that theoretically if everyone someday got one of
> those things in their car, it'd practically be impossible to
> have a clean signal for your personal music listening as you
> pass other cars! And what about regular radio stations on
> 88.3 FM? Anymore, it's hard to tell if you're listening to a
> personal part-15 TX or a real station when tuned into that
> frequency. lol
>
> A funny related story. Someone I know who didn't understand
> these little XM, Sirius, and I-pod transmitters was telling
> me about his recent drive on a local expressway where he was
> picking up a Sirius channel on 88.3 FM for about 10 miles.
> He was thinking that there was some massive-powered pirate
> in the area on that frequency rebroadcasting Sirius. Until I
> told him he was probably following a car with one of those
> transmitters for 10 miles. He looked at me and was like "oh
> crap. Never thought of that!" LOL
>
I use XM on 88.3 in the car<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>

 

[nd2023]

Maybe you just happen to have no station on 88.3 or near it, so people are using 88.3.<P ID="signature">______________
17-year-old radio geek
Location: Princeton Junction, NJ
AIM: KewlDude471</P>

 

[JeremyAndrews]

> Maybe you just happen to have no station on 88.3 or near it,
> so people are using 88.3.
>
exactly

<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>

 

[raccoonradio]

> Is it me, or is 88.3 FM becoming a wasteland of part-15 XM,
> Sirius, and I-pod mini transmitters?

There are some of these which only broadcast on 4 diff. frequencies (88.1,
88.3, 88.5, and 88.7) and some which can broadcast on any frequency. I bought
a Belkin mini-FM transmitter at (well-known Arkansas-based chain store with
greeters when you walk in)--$33 for one that will broadcast on ANY freq.
Quality was so-so but maybe that's because I dropped it a few times! Then,
at the same Wal--er, store--I bought a Belkin with only 4 frequencies for $20
and this one worked a bit better.

The $33 one:

The $20 one:

My purpose was to help amplify the baseball playoffs (weak stations here in
Boston for ESPN!) while at my workplace. But they also work in my car--I don't
have an Ipod, but my car has CD/AM/FM and I played a cass. Walkman through
88.3 using the FM transmitter...at least for awhile.

C Crane also has one that looks fancier and might be of better quality.
Also higher price: $70.

 

[elevator_opratr]

> > Maybe you just happen to have no station on 88.3 or near
> it,
> > so people are using 88.3.
> >
> exactly

Well, not quite. In fact, there is a fringe 88.3 signal in my area. What I'm saying is that I've noticed that most of these I-pod, XM, and Sirius transmitters are default set on 88.3 FM. You can change the frequency, but of course most people are not radio or tech savvy enough to make the effort. I'm not sure why the manufacturers have chosen the default of 88.3, but they have.

 

[dave73]

> > > Maybe you just happen to have no station on 88.3 or near
>
> > it,
> > > so people are using 88.3.
> > >
> > exactly
>
> Well, not quite. In fact, there is a fringe 88.3 signal in
> my area. What I'm saying is that I've noticed that most of
> these I-pod, XM, and Sirius transmitters are default set on
> 88.3 FM. You can change the frequency, but of course most
> people are not radio or tech savvy enough to make the
> effort. I'm not sure why the manufacturers have chosen the
> default of 88.3, but they have.
>
My Sanyo Sirius satellite radio's default frequency is 88.1, and can be tuned to any frequency from 88.1 - 107.9. I find it frustrating driving along US 41 through Cedar Lake on my way to Lowell (I live in Indiana), I come across a legal 88.3 from the Kankakee, IL area and it bleedsover on the car radio. Same with an 88.1 that broadcasts from Crete, IL, though it's only supposed to be a very low Class D station.

 

[RickRose]

> > > Maybe you just happen to have no station on 88.3 or near
>
> > it,
> > > so people are using 88.3.
> > >
> > exactly
>
> Well, not quite. In fact, there is a fringe 88.3 signal in
> my area. What I'm saying is that I've noticed that most of
> these I-pod, XM, and Sirius transmitters are default set on
> 88.3 FM. You can change the frequency, but of course most
> people are not radio or tech savvy enough to make the
> effort. I'm not sure why the manufacturers have chosen the
> default of 88.3, but they have.
>

I just piked up an Ipod Mini and it defaulted to 87.9 with the fm transmitter i bought for it. but it allows you to use any frequency if you set it. It is tricky at 87.9 for me at times because i live near a transmitter for a 107.5 and it likes to bleed onto every frequency. So I have named my ipod "radio station" Power 87.9 the Pure Hit Alternative

 

[clichemoth]

> > > > Maybe you just happen to have no station on 88.3 or
> near
> >
> > > it,
> > > > so people are using 88.3.
> > > >
> > > exactly
> >
> > Well, not quite. In fact, there is a fringe 88.3 signal in
>
> > my area. What I'm saying is that I've noticed that most of
>
> > these I-pod, XM, and Sirius transmitters are default set
> on
> > 88.3 FM. You can change the frequency, but of course most
> > people are not radio or tech savvy enough to make the
> > effort. I'm not sure why the manufacturers have chosen the
>
> > default of 88.3, but they have.
> >
> My Sanyo Sirius satellite radio's default frequency is 88.1,
> and can be tuned to any frequency from 88.1 - 107.9. I find
> it frustrating driving along US 41 through Cedar Lake on my
> way to Lowell (I live in Indiana), I come across a legal
> 88.3 from the Kankakee, IL area and it bleedsover on the car
> radio. Same with an 88.1 that broadcasts from Crete, IL,
> though it's only supposed to be a very low Class D station.
>

I have my XM set to 99.9, which works great for me in north Alabama unless I'm in the Cullman area near WRJL-Eva. 99.7 WNNX from Atlanta occasionally bleeds in during killer tropo as well.

 

[jason97]

Re: CD/MP3 Player to FM converters

For the last several years, I've had a Arkon Resources SoundFeeder 120, just to play around with it. It tunes to all frequencies from 88-108, but it's not digital and really easy to bump the dial or mis-tune.
If it was something I used everyday, Yeah, I'd probably have a digitally-tuning one now, too.<P ID="signature">______________
Jason97... regularly contributing on the <a target="_blank" href=http://www.radio-info.com/mods/posts?Board=oregon>Oregon</a> Board.</P>

 

[Nate Wesley]

> > Is it me, or is 88.3 FM becoming a wasteland of part-15
> XM,
> > Sirius, and I-pod mini transmitters?
>
> There are some of these which only broadcast on 4 diff.
> frequencies (88.1,
> 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7) and some which can broadcast on any
> frequency. I bought
> a Belkin mini-FM transmitter at (well-known Arkansas-based
> chain store with
> greeters when you walk in)--$33 for one that will broadcast
> on ANY freq.
> Quality was so-so but maybe that's because I dropped it a
> few times! Then,
> at the same Wal--er, store--I bought a Belkin with only 4
> frequencies for $20
> and this one worked a bit better.
>
> The $33 one:
>
>
> The $20 one:
>
>
>
> My purpose was to help amplify the baseball playoffs (weak
> stations here in
> Boston for ESPN!) while at my workplace. But they also work
> in my car--I don't
> have an Ipod, but my car has CD/AM/FM and I played a cass.
> Walkman through
> 88.3 using the FM transmitter...at least for awhile.
>
> C Crane also has one that looks fancier and might be of
> better quality.
> Also higher price: $70.
>

I've got the "$33" Belkin you posted (mine isn't iPod white, but instead charcoal and grey colored like the $20 one.) What I do is use RECNet.com's LPFM channel finder, then choose the cleanest 'open' frequency around town--usually 97.1 in Monroeville, AL. <P ID="signature">______________
"Not fixing [New Orleans'] levees before Katrina struck will now cost us untold billions. Not resolving the nation's issues of race and class has and will cost us so much more."
--Wynton Marsalis
</P>

 

[JeremyAndrews]

Re: CD/MP3 Player to FM converters

> For the last several years, I've had a Arkon Resources
> SoundFeeder 120, just to play around with it. It tunes to
> all frequencies from 88-108, but it's not digital and really
> easy to bump the dial or mis-tune.
> If it was something I used everyday, Yeah, I'd probably have
> a digitally-tuning one now, too.
>
In 2000 I got a Radio Shack one for $40 bucks. It brought out probably the best quality and stable drift free operation and you can choose stereo/mono. Will tune at 88.9, 89.1 and 106.7 and 106.9 It still works but is wearing out.

Later in 2000 I got a Soundfeeder at Best Buy for $19.99 but it has drift issues. It will tune across the band.

The Radio Shack one only goes a few feet. The soundfeeder will take a signal all the way down the street.

My Roady2 has a built in modulater.<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>

 

[Tom_]

Re: proposal: 88.0/88.2/88.4/88.6

Maybe the micros should use even numbered frequencies to avoid interference w/ licensed operations. However, car radios do not necessarily tune 88.0/88.2/88.4.

On the other hand the FCC rules for the microtransmitters have a 20kHz bandwidth at 3m. A transmitter on your front seat broadcasting at 88.0 and received at 88.1 would still work in stereo, but would not be perfect. Passing cars would have to be "closer" to your front seat in order to receive interference on a licensed station at 88.1.

I have an Arkon sound feeder analog. I prefer it to a digital device since it will run for hours and hours and hours compared to another digital one that I have that runs out after about 4 hours on 2AAA SHD batteries. And I can tune it to the even numbered frequencies vs. the preset 88.1/3/5/7.

 

[RockManAC]

My iTrip defaults to 87.9.

-A<P ID="signature">______________

</P>

 

[BoardmanDJ]

Mount one of these under your dash!

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=FM25B

Mine goes 1/4 mile on a good day, from a room in my basement. I use it as a solution for whole house audio. You can usually find them on Ebay, already built.


> > > Is it me, or is 88.3 FM becoming a wasteland of part-15
> > XM,
> > > Sirius, and I-pod mini transmitters?
> >
> > There are some of these which only broadcast on 4 diff.
> > frequencies (88.1,
> > 88.3, 88.5, and 88.7) and some which can broadcast on any
> > frequency. I bought
> > a Belkin mini-FM transmitter at (well-known Arkansas-based
>
> > chain store with
> > greeters when you walk in)--$33 for one that will
> broadcast
> > on ANY freq.
> > Quality was so-so but maybe that's because I dropped it a
> > few times! Then,
> > at the same Wal--er, store--I bought a Belkin with only 4
> > frequencies for $20
> > and this one worked a bit better.
> >
> > The $33 one:
> >
> >
> > The $20 one:
> >
> >
> >
> > My purpose was to help amplify the baseball playoffs (weak
>
> > stations here in
> > Boston for ESPN!) while at my workplace. But they also
> work
> > in my car--I don't
> > have an Ipod, but my car has CD/AM/FM and I played a cass.
>
> > Walkman through
> > 88.3 using the FM transmitter...at least for awhile.
> >
> > C Crane also has one that looks fancier and might be of
> > better quality.
> > Also higher price: $70.
> >
>
> I've got the "$33" Belkin you posted (mine isn't iPod white,
> but instead charcoal and grey colored like the $20 one.)
> What I do is use RECNet.com's LPFM channel finder, then
> choose the cleanest 'open' frequency around town--usually
> 97.1 in Monroeville, AL.
>

 

[BoardmanDJ]

e.
> >
> My Sanyo Sirius satellite radio's default frequency is 88.1,
> and can be tuned to any frequency from 88.1 - 107.9. I find
> it frustrating driving along US 41 through Cedar Lake on my
> way to Lowell (I live in Indiana), I come across a legal
> 88.3 from the Kankakee, IL area and it bleedsover on the car
> radio. Same with an 88.1 that broadcasts from Crete, IL,
> though it's only supposed to be a very low Class D station.
>

I live in an area with a full power station at 88.5 and a rimshot at 88.1.
Both bleed across to 88.3 and 88.5 bleeds into 88.7. What a mess. Plus we have a Channel 6 in the area, so 87.9 is questionable.

 

[Tom_]

> Mount one of these under your dash!
>
http://www.ramsey> electronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=FM25B

How are you receiving it at 1/4 mile? That would require a highly sensitive and selective FM tuner at that far of a distance, unless the receiver is downhill from the transmitter site. The furthest I could ever get an Arkon-brand to go was 600 feet, but that was down a slight slope. In flat terrain, the same model dies out w/ bleeding from adjacent channels at about 150-300 feet.

> Mine goes 1/4 mile on a good day, from a room in my
> basement. I use it as a solution for whole house audio.
> You can usually find them on Ebay, already built.
>
>