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CCrane FM transmitter- how far in feet?
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| CCrane FM transmitter- how far in feet?
- Click HERE to go to the original thread with graphics
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| chumbucket |
| I was wondering if anyone has done any testing and compared what the output on this is like in feet - maybe both pre-mod and modded. I know they typically work better when they are higher up. I was thinking of mounting it in my attic. I want to be FCC compliant but I also need it to go about 100 feet in circumference. Thanks! |
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| flymo |
My XAct broke under warrantee and I just got the replacement. The original had a range of 50 feet, the entire house. The replacement FM range is 6 feet. I think that is the FCC compliant range. Even the distance from the dash of my car to the antenna in the rear window is nearly out of range - lots of static. I bought a similar model, Sirius Starmate in October when I sent in my broken XAct XTR8CK. Fortunately the Starmate has the 50 foot FM range. I am considering a CCrane for the house and some kind of direct connection for my Accord - it has no cassette and no accessible auxilliary input, only a CD player, so it won't be easy.
The replacement XAct came with the following notice:
FCC Caution
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user's
authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operation in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. |
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| chumbucket |
Quote: Originally posted by flymo
My XAct broke under warrantee and I just got the replacement. The original had a range of 50 feet, the entire house. The replacement FM range is 6 feet. I think that is the FCC compliant range. Even the distance from the dash of my car to the antenna in the rear window is nearly out of range - lots of static. I bought a similar model, Sirius Starmate in October when I sent in my broken XAct XTR8CK. Fortunately the Starmate has the 50 foot FM range. I am considering a CCrane for the house and some kind of direct connection for my Accord - it has no cassette and no accessible auxilliary input, only a CD player, so it won't be easy.
The replacement XAct came with the following notice:
FCC Caution
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
party responsible for compliance could void the user's
authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This transmitter must not be co-located or operation in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. |
My old XACT XTR1 units used to go more than 50 feet when they were operational. I know that having it higher up makes the signal go farther. We had ours in an upstairs apartment last year and I used to pick up that signal from a few hundred feet away. I just don't want any FCC bullshit due to the nature of the material being broadcast (Stern, Bubba, etc.) Now I want to plug my Sirius Conductor into a transmitter upstairs in our bedroom so that I can pick it up in the garage, basement, and all over the property when I cut the lawn. |
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| Bullitt |
| My CCrane unit wll reach my car in the driveway about 75ft away, but not much further. I use it at work and people on the other side of the building (about 100ft.) can pick it up, but I have it sitting about 6 feet high, and on a large metal platform. I had my S-50 car unit hooked up in the house and it would go 3 blocks easy. I'm amazed at the power of that thing. |
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| flymo |
Just got one from Amazon.com sublet to smarthome.com.
It is terrible. It says to set on metal plane surface like file cabinet or refrigerator for best results. I used a cookie sheet. I had to lower the "volume" on the Sirius radio to half power to avoid distortion. The range was about 3 feet at 88.3 and 104.1 frequencies I tried. I am not going to try to open it. The screws are under small rubber "feet" that appear they could be damaged. I am planning to send it back.
It seems the FCC limits are ridiculous and must have been set so low for the benefit of terrestrial radio companies. After all, we avoid commercial broadcast frequencies.
There must be FM transmitters sold in other countries or "kit" types that have enough power. |
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| RNN |
Quote: Originally posted by flymo
Just got one from Amazon.com sublet to smarthome.com.
It is terrible. It says to set on metal plane surface like file cabinet or refrigerator for best results. I used a cookie sheet. I had to lower the "volume" on the Sirius radio to half power to avoid distortion. The range was about 3 feet at 88.3 and 104.1 frequencies I tried. I am not going to try to open it. The screws are under small rubber "feet" that appear they could be damaged. I am planning to send it back.
It seems the FCC limits are ridiculous and must have been set so low for the benefit of terrestrial radio companies. After all, we avoid commercial broadcast frequencies.
There must be FM transmitters sold in other countries or "kit" types that have enough power. |
I researched all FM transmitters for this use and the FM transmitter from CCrane is the one you want to get. Its the best currently because of the easy mod to boost the default output range.
You don't even have to remove any screws to mod it. Simply remove the top right corner of the sticker on the back and you will see a small opening near the top center with two smaller holes to the right. Gently use a small screwdriver to turn the white plastic screw to the right. Use a small screwdriver (like a eye glass repair kit). Turning it too quick and with too much force have resulted in damage amoung reports on the internet.
The range is about 300 ft with direct line of sight (eg. out in an empty field), but obviously when you place it indoors, every wall and physical obstruction will degrade the signal so you can expect a range of about 100-150 ft indoors with the mod applied.
The mod is simple, anyone can do it. |
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| flymo |
Quote: Originally posted by RNN
You don't even have to remove any screws to mod it. Simply remove the top right corner of the sticker on the back and you will see a small opening near the top center with two smaller holes to the right. Gently use a small screwdriver to turn the white plastic screw to the right. Use a small screwdriver (like a eye glass repair kit). Turning it too quick and with too much force have resulted in damage amoung reports on the internet.
The mod is simple, anyone can do it. |
I got brave and peeled back the label from the corner by the antenna. It is stiff plastic, not paper, so used my tiny screwdriver to pry it up.
Found the hole in the top middle and turned the white screw just a few degrees,
maybe 10- 15 CW.
Now instead of 3 feet I have 100 feet of range.
You da man. Even I could do it.
Fuck the FCC.
Go Hawks. |
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