Folks,

I have an S80-T6 (1999) with the 4-CD in-dash changer. However, I miss being able to listen to cassettes. I bought a Walkman & fed the output into a small battery-powered FM transmitter. The idea was to be able to pick-up the signal on my car's FM radio and be able to listen to the sound through the premium sound system. What happened however was that the signal was only sometimes receivable, even though the transmitter and receiver were only 3 feet apart. It seems that there is a lot of radio frequency interference inside the car.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Michael

I have been considering a Nomad Jukebox (or something similar) to transfer CD's, old tapes and other sources of music to, in order to play in my car now that I have a long commute. No one I personally know has much experience with this. Can anyone give or suggest a good review of what all is needed (CD-RW, any other equipment?) to do this most efficiently? I have a a basic understanding of MP3, Napster, and etc., but looking to get something I can use for awhile and not just the latest development. Staff at Circuit City, Best Buy and such places really not much help. Any comments, experiences or suggested reading appreciated.

Thanks

Most legal FM transmitter (like Radio-Shack) are tranmitting very low power. This mean that the transmit antenna needs to be very close to the receive antenna. There is three solutions to your problem.

1) You can get a higher power FM transmitter (available in kit on the WEB).

2) Modified your transmitter to increased the transmit power.

3) Get a Y antenna splitter. Install it inline with the car antenna (behind the radio) and inject directly in the radio. Or better, there is some RF modulator that already exist with the proper cable and connectors. They are usually sold with CD changer that are RF connected to the car radio. If you go to a place that install car audio equipment, they may have some available.

I would think an FM modulator like that used by the cheaper cd changers would work (or is this what you were trying?) it still isn't going to be perfect though. I think the cd-r option might wind up being your best choice for sound quality. You might improve the reception by making sure you are in the local mode of the radio too (that way it might filter out some of the weaker signals). Good luck

If your computer system doesn't have a CD writer, then ask a friend to do it for you. This requires the computer system to have audio inputs and your tape player to have compatible audio outputs. You may have to get a different tape player.

Otherwise, many audio-video copy shops could do it for a small fee. If you supplied the blank CD-Rs, the cost would be much less.

This way, you wouldn't have any interference problems at all. And your car wouldn't have any extra sound equipment in it.

Bart,

Thank you for your reply, but what we want to do usually is listen to "books on tape" which we borrow from our local library. While what you are suggesting is possible, it would be a lot of work to transfer to CD-R. BTW, I don't have such a CD burner, although there are friends we could ask.

Thanks,

Michael

Our library has recently started receiving "books on tape" in a CD format. The selection isn't great yet, but will get better. Ask them if they can get some for you.

Koz.

You have an S80 and you do not have a CD burner???!

I hope cars start coming with CD players that can play MP3 (data) files soon. Don't need no changer when 1 CD has 7-10hrs of high-quality music on it.

I love this thing so I've got to mention it..

RIO VOLT by www.sonicblue.com

Love it! It's an MP3 WMA CD player that plays CDR and CDRW disks! I upgraded the firmware as soon as I received it with a download to a CDRW disk, of course, I use a cassette tape adapter in my car. Wish there was another way to get the audio in though because the adapter makes rattling noises after it heats up.