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Old 15-04-2005, 11:46
daveaitken76
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Can anyone tell me once and for all whether the iTrip module you can purchase to play the iPod through car stereos is illegal. If it is, can someone explain why? So for being to dumb!!!
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Old 15-04-2005, 12:21
chrisjr
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The iTrip and similar devices are classed as Low Power FM Transmitters and as such they either require a licence to use or exemption from the provisions of the Wireless Telegraphy Act. As you can see from this Ofcom doc. these devices have neither so are illegal to use in the UK
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Old 15-04-2005, 20:19
rfarn@gotadsl.c
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and theyre a bit crap...like listening to shortwave or longwave on damp dull sunday...
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Old 16-04-2005, 14:32
Azrael1984
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Originally Posted by rfarn@gotadsl.c
and theyre a bit crap...like listening to shortwave or longwave on damp dull sunday...
I would have to disagree. Although they don't provide the best quality, if you tune it into a station that doesn't have anything else placed around it, then it's just like listening to any other FM Radio station.
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Old 16-04-2005, 17:54
rfarn@gotadsl.c
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odd...i tried 2 (complained about the first and got a second one sent out)...i tried them with 3 different stereos, varying the distance from right next to them to about 10 ft away, tried them in the car, everywhere at home...no matter what i couldnt shake the quiet but audible mush that coloured the sound...certainly was noticable above an FM station and to everyone who heard it...

i was expecting FM quality...i wouldnt say it reaches that...luckily i still have a tape player in the car so i've got a tape adapter instead.
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Old 18-04-2005, 12:35
iain
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they are illegal, but then so it recording a song off the radio without a licence.

in practice neither are enforced.

the iTrip is OK if you get a clear bit of frequency, so is a bit hit and miss.

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Old 18-04-2005, 17:53
Sancheez
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If you have the cash ....

http://www.motoringfile.com/ice_link/

.... is a far superior option to the iTrip.
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Old 18-04-2005, 17:58
Multisandia
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Originally Posted by iain
the iTrip is OK if you get a clear bit of frequency, so is a bit hit and miss.
I imagine that counts us Londoners out then!
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Old 18-04-2005, 23:35
sanderton
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The sound quality is much poorer in London, because of the crowded airwaves. Out here in the country, it's OK. You wouldn't want it plugged into your hi-fi, but in a car it's fine.

I use the one which has a cradle which powers the iPod and takes its source from the dock line out rather then headphones.
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Old 19-04-2005, 11:30
iain
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Originally Posted by Multisandia
I imagine that counts us Londoners out then!
very probably sadly - we've used it driving up to london, and once you get remotely near the m25 it all went a bit arse.

not sure how good the tape adapter option is, as haven't tried it - but keep think might have too. (no line in on the car stereo unfortunately)

Iain
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Old 19-04-2005, 11:47
chrisjr
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Many many years ago I remember reading the fitting manual for a Sony multi disk CD changer for the car. It could plug directly into the car radio if it had an Aux input but it also came with a little modulator box that sat inline with the car aerial.

You just unplugged the aerial out the back of the radio and plugged it into the modulator and then the modulator plugged into the aerial socket on the radio. The audio leads from the CD changer then plugged into the modulator as well. Because it didn't radiate the signal at all it was perfectly legal,, in just the same way that a Video/DVD recorder or STB can produce a UHF TV signal to feed your TV.

There must be something similar available these days surely? Though might be a bit harder getting at the aerial connector on some of the modern car stereo units. (Though you'd think anything really modern would have aux audio connectors anyway)
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Old 19-04-2005, 12:00
sancheeez
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Tape adapters are OK. I used one for quite a while with my old CD/MP3 player. Not the tidiest way to do it but it works and you don't get the interference problems you'll have with the iTrip.

Cheap as chips as well.
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Old 19-04-2005, 12:04
chrisjr
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Originally Posted by chrisjr
Many many years ago I remember reading the fitting manual for a Sony multi disk CD changer for the car. It could plug directly into the car radio if it had an Aux input but it also came with a little modulator box that sat inline with the car aerial.

You just unplugged the aerial out the back of the radio and plugged it into the modulator and then the modulator plugged into the aerial socket on the radio. The audio leads from the CD changer then plugged into the modulator as well. Because it didn't radiate the signal at all it was perfectly legal,, in just the same way that a Video/DVD recorder or STB can produce a UHF TV signal to feed your TV.

There must be something similar available these days surely? Though might be a bit harder getting at the aerial connector on some of the modern car stereo units. (Though you'd think anything really modern would have aux audio connectors anyway)
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Isn't Google wonderful. Found this. They have it for 55quid but I've seen it elsewhere for much less.
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