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FM Modulator Help!!
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| FM Modulator Help!!
- Click HERE to go to the original thread with graphics
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| rhowe004 |
Can't find any other threads with this question, so I apologize in advance if this has been discussed.
I have the Starmate (the basic $75 one). The reception in my car is terrible, I have it set at 93.1 and I can hear it coming through. Today I went out and bought the FM Modulator. This one to be exact: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=1117177049245
It came with no directions whatsoever. I hooked it up and it made the reception worse. Either I just bought a worthless modulator or I'm not hooking it up right. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. |
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| boombox |
Quote: Originally posted by rhowe004
Can't find any other threads with this question, so I apologize in advance if this has been discussed.
I have the Starmate (the basic $75 one). The reception in my car is terrible, I have it set at 93.1 and I can hear it coming through. Today I went out and bought the FM Modulator. This one to be exact: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=1117177049245
It came with no directions whatsoever. I hooked it up and it made the reception worse. Either I just bought a worthless modulator or I'm not hooking it up right. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. |
The FM modulation relay is essentially an automatic switch that senses when you have turned on the Sportster or Starmate receivers(via the FM-Out). When it senses a signal coming from the FM-Out from either of these receivers, it disconnects your car's antenna from the car stereo(headunit) and passes the FM-Out from the Sirius receiver directly to the car stereo's antenna input, giving you perfect, interference-free reception.
To connect it you need to be able to access your car stereo's antenna connection in the back of the headunit. The relay connects between your Sirius receiver and the headunit's antenna input, then your car's antenna plugs into the relay. Essentially, the relay will automatically choose between the Sirius signal or your car's FM/AM antenna, depending on whether your Sirius receiver is ON or OFF. You can hide the relay anywhere you want. You can also pay radio installers to install it for you. Some charge about $50 for installation(relay included).
As more and more drivers install satellite radios and/or IPODs with wireless transmitters, this will become a bigger problem. This interference issue is starting to be so common, that the FCC is getting a lot of complaints from small low-power FM stations(specially those broadcasting on 88.1MHz). They'll eventually have to intervene.
Anyhow, I recommend EVERYONE in a mid to large city to install one of these things. It will solve a lot of reception/interference problems. Good luck!
NOTE: This relay won't solve a Sirius reception problem caused by improper installation or location of the Sirius antenna. You still need to install/locate your Sirius antenna outside, on top of the car for BEST reception (some people get away with placing the antenna inside the car, causing drop-outs sometimes). The antenna needs to have an unobstructed view of the skies in all directions(360 degrees). Make sure this is not the problem.
The way to test if it's FM inteference is to disconnect your car antenna by taking it down(unscrewing it), then remove the Wired FM Modulator and use the built-in FM transmitter, if you still have reception problems, then it's the Sirius antenna. If it sounds good until you connect the Modulator, then the Wired Modulator is the problem. |
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| rhowe004 |
Quote: Originally posted by boombox
The FM modulation relay is essentially an automatic switch that senses when you have turned on the Sportster or Starmate receivers(via the FM-Out). When it senses a signal coming from the FM-Out from either of these receivers, it disconnects your car's antenna from the car stereo(headunit) and passes the FM-Out from the Sirius receiver directly to the car stereo's antenna input, giving you perfect, interference-free reception.
To connect it you need to be able to access your car stereo's antenna connection in the back of the headunit. The relay connects between your Sirius receiver and the headunit's antenna input, then your car's antenna plugs into the relay. Essentially, the relay will automatically choose between the Sirius signal or your car's FM/AM antenna, depending on whether your Sirius receiver is ON or OFF. You can hide the relay anywhere you want. You can also pay radio installers to install it for you. Some charge about $50 for installation(relay included).
As more and more drivers install satellite radios and/or IPODs with wireless transmitters, this will become a bigger problem. This interference issue is starting to be so common, that the FCC is getting a lot of complaints from small low-power FM stations(specially those broadcasting on 88.1MHz). They'll eventually have to intervene.
Anyhow, I recommend EVERYONE in a mid to large city to install one of these things. It will solve a lot of reception/interference problems. Good luck!
NOTE: This relay won't solve a Sirius reception problem caused by improper installation or location of the Sirius antenna. You still need to install/locate your Sirius antenna outside, on top of the car for BEST reception (some people get away with placing the antenna inside the car, causing drop-outs sometimes). The antenna needs to have an unobstructed view of the skies in all directions(360 degrees). Make sure this is not the problem.
The way to test if it's FM inteference is to disconnect your car antenna by taking it down(unscrewing it), then remove the Wired FM Modulator and use the built-in FM transmitter, if you still have reception problems, then it's the Sirius antenna. If it sounds good until you connect the Modulator, then the Wired Modulator is the problem. |
Thanks bro! |
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| mcfierce |
Quote: Originally posted by rhowe004
Can't find any other threads with this question, so I apologize in advance if this has been discussed.
I have the Starmate (the basic $75 one). The reception in my car is terrible, I have it set at 93.1 and I can hear it coming through. Today I went out and bought the FM Modulator. This one to be exact: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=1117177049245
It came with no directions whatsoever. I hooked it up and it made the reception worse. Either I just bought a worthless modulator or I'm not hooking it up right. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. |
you have wasted time and money.....you dont have to put it on 93.1...........I have mine on 103.1, and the reception is crystal clear......You just gotta find the perfect station for your area....... |
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| Seriously |
Quote: Originally posted by mcfierce
you have wasted time and money.....you dont have to put it on 93.1...........I have mine on 103.1, and the reception is crystal clear......You just gotta find the perfect station for your area....... |
Station reception is different in every city/town/etc.
Try this link. FMfind.info This link was provided by fellow SFNers. |
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| rhowe004 |
Quote: Originally posted by mcfierce
you have wasted time and money.....you dont have to put it on 93.1...........I have mine on 103.1, and the reception is crystal clear......You just gotta find the perfect station for your area....... |
You're right, unfortunately I found that out the hard way. I set it at 88.3 and it's a lot better. I'll be returning the modulator tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the help. |
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