FM Modulators Useless in D/FW Now?

[AlanB]

When my aux. headphone cable (which is at the back of my HDR-1 car receiver failed, I purchased an FM modulator to listen to my iPhone rather than spend hours pulling the car apart to replace the aux cable. It seems that may have been a mistake.

Over the last month of trying I have yet to find a "blank" frequency on the FM dial that does not rimshot or HD interference on it. The FM Modulator only goes down to 88.1, so my first thought of dropping to 87.9 was a no go.

88.3 is KJCR Keene, anything around the Clear Channel stations has IBOC bleed-over, etc. It seems the D/FW market has finally matured so that there is a station every 2 clicks of the dial.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Over the last month of trying I have yet to find a "blank" frequency on the FM dial that does not rimshot or HD interference on it.

What about 95.5 or 95.7?

 

[andrewduong77]

This is a problem with almost every large markets, even almost every medium and small markets.

See if this helps. http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/vacant?select=city&city=Dallas&state=TX

 

[Kent]

It's basically an iPhone app that uses your location and plots in Andrew's link, but try the ClearFM app and see if it helps you.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

This is a problem with almost every large markets, even almost every medium and small markets.

See if this helps. http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/vacant?select=city&city=Dallas&state=TX

The narrow ceramic filter trick works pretty well - usually even a strong first adjacent won't bother the modulator once you narrow up the IF response. And the side benefit is the radio gets much better reception of broadcast stations.

 

[Lancer]

If a radio doesn't have an AUX input, you can use a wired FM modulator between your antenna & radio. It will cut off the antenna line & allow you to use the weaker channels. Plug your mp3 device into it, pick a frequency & you're off to the races.

It's a little more trouble to install, but is the only option besides getting a radio with AUX capability. Or using a cassette adapter which is lousy at best.

Sounds like yours already has the AUX jack behind it so all you have to do is get inside the dash & replace the cable. But it can be a chore especially in a lot of the smaller vehicles. I did a Google search on my car model & found someone who had taken the time to detail everything that had to be removed to get at my radio. There are always hidden screws that you won't find until you pull your dash apart. These can ruin your day if they aren't removed.

 

[T4 In Rockwall]

I have the best luck with 91.1.

 

[317C50KW]

I drive a Ford with "Sync"....My Iphone talks to it splendidly via Bluetooth. Perhaps there's a bluetooth fix for your situation.

 

[arnoldevns]

I think it really depends on where you are in the DFW area. The problem with 95.7 in Plano is KKAJ in Ardmore. It gets in here fairly well.
95.5 is fine, but there's a translator in Dallas (I think) that makes this problematic.

I used to actually play around and listen for FM modulators on my way to and from work. 87.7 was pretty popular until the LPTV station fired up on channel 6. 107.7 was actually somewhat popular as well. (go figure)

 

[ropertex]

I had an XM radio modulator that did NOT go below 88.1 (even though my car radio did) and back in 2004 found that I could not drive around the metroplex without having to change the rebroadcast channel. Annoying to the the point that I replaced the OEM radio with a Pioneer supertuner radio and a matching XM box.

 

[Triple Fake Jerry]

99.9 is good if you're not close to KSKY's translator in Dallas. That's pretty much the only open frequency in the metro area.

 

[LibertyNT]

That 99.9 translator makes it all the way to McKinney. Fortunatly it doesnt stomp on my little station too much.

 

[Triple Fake Jerry]

Well, that too.

 

[newsmark]

I think someone in Valley Ranch is running a modulator on 95.7. It wipes out KKAJ if you're around MacArthur & Valley Ranch south... seems to be a little east of there, but it's audible for a mile. Whoever it is has a wide variety of musical tastes. I've heard everything from Classical to trance. Never any speaking, although I did catch an EAS test once--so I think it's someone's cable box connected to a modulator... maybe to get the music in the back.

 

[Ai4i]

Someone should come out with an FM modulator on 10.7 MHz strong enough to get into your IF section, you would hear it on every frequency across the dial.

 

[RadioPhillyFan]

Philly has one signal. 87.7. - Isn't that also vacant in Dallas?

 

[Kent]

Philly has one signal. 87.7. - Isn't that also vacant in Dallas?

I don't believe it is in all of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area as it at least used to have two LPTV's on Channel 6. Besides, not all FM modulators will go below 88.1.

 

[grantchester]

South of I-30? 88.1.
North of I-30? 88.3.
East of Parker Co.? 89.1.
West of Dallas? 88.9.

Yes, there are stations at those positions, but your modulator should be plenty strong enough to overpower them.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

South of I-30? 88.1.
North of I-30? 88.3.
East of Parker Co.? 89.1.
West of Dallas? 88.9.

Yes, there are stations at those positions, but your modulator should be plenty strong enough to overpower them.

The old Belkin modulators had much more power, until a bunch of NPR stations complained about them - because at the time most were four frequency only models, and those at the bottom of the band were mainly NPR stations. Then the blasted FCC got involved and the new batches of modulators are under powered to the point that they have to be right on the antenna. Some have little rings for the base of the mast, others stick on the windshield under the element, still others intercept the antenna line directly.

Personally, I just add a wire to the underpowered modulator to give it more antenna, or put in an RF transistor to boost the power back to something that works. But preferably intercept the audio directly with an auxiliary input, which isn't hard to wire. You just need to find a place for a switch. Fortunately old cell phones, junk digital cameras and stuff like that can be mined for small components like really small switches.