[Dixielandjazz] RE: Have you tried this (about FM transmitter for laptop)

[Laurence Swain]

charliew8fim at verizon.net wrote earlier:

> Larry Swain wrote "I'd like to try this"
> 
> Hi Larry,  I'm having trouble getting to you off-line.  I may have to
> post to the list.  However the transmitter I bought runs for hours on
> two tiny AAA batteries, so I don't have to mess around with external
> power supplies.  I have enough wires!  Unfortunately I pitched the
> box, and there is no 'brand' name on the transmitter.  I will try to
> describe it. It is oval in shape and about 3 inches by 1 1/2 inch and
> 3/4 inch thick. Dull metallic silver with a black oval center.  There
> is a dial on one end to set the frequency, a 3 inch pigtail on the
> other end with the audio plug.   One side is the power switch, and the
> other side has the option for a 3 volt power supply which I don't use.
>  There is a round "C" logo on the front.  I bought this at our local
> TARGET store, so you may find one like it there.  Some are much more
> expensive, but this one seems to do the job.  BTW for the antenna I
> wrapped about 3 turns around the device and taped it.  You may want to
> experiment with the length of wire and orientation
> 
> 

Charlie:

Sorry to hear you are having trouble reaching me -- I'm getting email at 
L.Swain at comcast.net regularly.

Thanks for the information -- now I know your unit is battery-powered, and you bought it 
at Target -- I'll got there to take a look.

And thanks again for the idea of connecting my laptop to my full-scale stereo via a small, 
inexpensive (under $30) FM transmitter like those used with iPods -- great idea, and it 
had never occurred to me, not yet an iPod user.

The correct length of the antenna wire for a transmitter at 88 mhz escapes me, as it's 
been years since I dealt with antenna design.  The wavelength of an 88 mhz radio wave 
is, I think I calculated it correctly,  11.36 ft, but I forget whether the wire length should be 
1/4, 1/2, or equal to that. I know there are hom radio veterans who subscribe to this llist 
who should be able to tell us how the antenna should be fashioned for best results.

All the best with OKOM in the coming year.

Larry Swain
L.Swain at comcast.net



Larry Swain