Looking for FM xmitter to hear Handheld in Car

[giallocali]

Does anyone use an FM transmitter to hear their handheld in the car?

I'm hoping there is a small transmitter that can plug into the headphone jack of my scanner so I can hear it through the audio system. Also hoping it would run off the scanner power instead of having to plug it into a lighter socket.

Is there any such thing?
If not, what it the easiest way to listen through the audio system without pulling the head unit out?

Thank you.

 

[zerg901]

I was at a Wahlgreens Department Store yesterday - there was a device that took audio from an iPod and played the audio thru the car radio system. $12 maybe. (I think thats what it was - I just glanced at it). That might fit the bill. Peter Sz Arlington Mass

PS - maybe the Wahlgreens website has the device listed - or - maybe you can Google for ' ipod car radio' or something similar.

 

[W2NJS]

If your car is a newer one it may have an auxiliary input jack for an Ipod or similar device, in which case you get or make a patch cord to plug in the scanner and the auxiliary jack. Auto radio outlets, both stores and online, also sell very low power FM transmitters used for the same purpose but with the patch cord connected between the scanner and the transmitter.

 

[RadioDaze]

This unit seems to get good reviews:
Amazon.com: iriver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter: Electronics

 

[giallocali]

This unit seems to get good reviews:
Amazon.com: iriver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter: Electronics

Perfect!
Thank you.

 

[ka3jjz]

I have a FM transmitter in my old Camry I got at a local Staples. It works pretty well - except when skip is running. If it is, sometimes the skip will be strong enough to override the transmitter. I live in a semi urban area, and there aren't a lot of spots on the FM dial that are not occupied.

One thing to watch out for - make sure whatever you buy can tune the entire FM band (as it seems this one from Amazon does). If it doesn't, you may limit yourself in trying to find a nice quiet spot in the dial to use. 73 Mike

 

[giallocali]

This unit seems to get good reviews:
Amazon.com: iriver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter: Electronics

Well, unfortunately after reading some reviews, it appears the unit has a default automatic power-off function after 10 to 15 seconds of silence[which can not be disabled]. So this will definitely not work for the scanner.

I have a FM transmitter in my old Camry I got at a local Staples. It works pretty well - except when skip is running. If it is, sometimes the skip will be strong enough to override the transmitter. I live in a semi urban area, and there aren't a lot of spots on the FM dial that are not occupied.

One thing to watch out for - make sure whatever you buy can tune the entire FM band (as it seems this one from Amazon does). If it doesn't, you may limit yourself in trying to find a nice quiet spot in the dial to use. 73 Mike

I've been using an FM transmitter in my truck for years[Sirius radio]. I've found that if you remove your car's antenna, it really quiets down the interference. Downside is if you want to listen to FM radio you have to pull over and screw the antenna back in. Doesn't work for cars with FM antennas built in to the windows though.

 

[RadioDaze]

...it appears the unit has a default automatic power-off function after 10 to 15 seconds of silence[which can not be disabled].

I didn't know about that. Bummer.

Another approach you might try is a wired FM modulator, that goes inline with the antenna. Like this one:
Amazon.com: Scosche FM-MOD02 FM Modulator for iPod, Satellite Radio or Portable Music Player:…

If not that particular one, at least that type.

 

[giallocali]

I didn't know about that. Bummer.

Another approach you might try is a wired FM modulator, that goes inline with the antenna. Like this one:
Amazon.com: Scosche FM-MOD02 FM Modulator for iPod, Satellite Radio or Portable Music Player:…

If not that particular one, at least that type.

That looks like it would do the job, but is more work than I'm willing to do. I may just stick with the stock handheld speaker until I upgrade to a new vehicle with an aux port. I wanted to see if I could get the scanner through the cars audio for less than $40 and less than 5 minutes of set-up. Looks like the remaining FM Transmitters get terrible reviews.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[questnz]

Hi I am using Belkin FM transmitter with Icom RX7 in Honda CRV, tried few others but most have some sort of interference or noise possible because close proximity to both radios. Best if you try first.
F8M010 Belkin TuneCast® 3 FM Transmitter

 

[RadioDaze]

You might consider an amplified communications speaker. Then you can still use you car radio as a... well, car radio.

 

[giallocali]

Hi I am using Belkin FM transmitter with Icom RX7 in Honda CRV, tried few others but most have some sort of interference or noise possible because close proximity to both radios. Best if you try first.
F8M010 Belkin TuneCast® 3 FM Transmitter

Looks like that one waits 10 minutes before powering off due to silence. That one may work. Thank you.

 

[DieselFF918]

I have never had good results with an FM modulator, to hard to get a decent signal, and if you go to another area you may have to change stations.

A trick that my brother-in-law taught me years back, if your vehicle has a working tape deck, get a tape adapter and plug it in and insert the tape, wah lah, good audio from your car speakers and no interference.

 

[korpseofdeath]

RadioPlay™ 300

I bought one of those off eBay about 3 years ago for $10.00 with $3.50 shipping. It was the best ever, and I still use it. Fully FM tunable so you can tune it to which ever FM frequency you want. Worked every time like a charm for my scanner.

 

[giallocali]

RadioPlay™ 300

I bought one of those off eBay about 3 years ago for $10.00 with $3.50 shipping. It was the best ever, and I still use it. Fully FM tunable so you can tune it to which ever FM frequency you want. Worked every time like a charm for my scanner.

So then it must not have the 'automatic power off' feature that turns it off after a short time of non-usage?

 

[13riverking]

jupiter jack

You could try jupiterjack, cheap, has a self contained power supply, but is it to good to be real? www.jupiterjack.com The video says it will work on an ipod, so it should work fine, if the scanner is close enough to the radio??????

 

[giallocali]

Well I just ordered this RadioPlay™ 300
Cost was twenty seven bucks shipped.(from a reputable company)

And for anyone else interested in this concept, I will report back next week (or whenever I receive the unit) to let you know how the device performs as far as sending clear audio from a handheld through the cars audio system. Fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!