I bought an XM Xpress (Audiovox) for my dad a few months ago. It came with a cassette adapter, but there is no cassette player in his car.

Since I can't find any evidence of an audio input port, I am trying to use the FM transmitter on the unit.

Is the transmitter built into the unit itself or the antenna? Which ever it is, it is far too weak. Without holding the unit within 2 feet of the antenna (back of the car), it is usually too weak to be picked up, even on an empty channel (of which there are few around here).

I read another post that the power levels for the transmitters were greatly reduced a couple years ago.

Perhaps the only option is to get it professionally installed with some direct connection I can't find or to have him get a new receiver?

Are all FM transmitters on new units worthless like this one is?

Thanks,

Yeah, the FCC cracked down on the transmitters.

So.. If you found a radio that was packaged before the crackdown, it will be super powerful, and probably tranmit for 100 feet or more.

If you find a radio that was availabe before the crackdown, but manufactured afterwards, they simply ripped out the transmitting antennas and may only broadcast a few inches.

If you buy a newer radio that only hit the market in the last year or so, it will ikely be a happy medium, powerful enough for your car, but not powerful enough for your home.

That said, you have a few options:

#1) Get an external FM transmitter like the CCrane.
Pros: Powerful enough for home and car.
Cons: Another gadget with more wires to clutter up your car.

#2) Get a new card radio with an AUX input jack for MP3 players.
Pros: Best sound possible in the car.
Cons: You are spending more money.

#3) Buy the Fm relay adapter.
Pros: Cheap, no more static.
Cons: Have to rip out your dash and car radio to install, or pay someone to do it (which really isn't that difficult if you have the proper instructions for your car model).


Sorry about your luck. I wonder if you can find out which units have acceptable FM power, and return it for that model.

I went with solution #2, got a Sony XPLOD radio with AUX input at Walmart for $98. I am very happy with it. It was no-brainer for me though because during installation I blew up my Alpine (seems my daughter used the CD slot for a piggy bank over the years and a quarter shorted something out fried it).

Thank you for your help and suggestions. After further research I found that the Sure Connect adapter was supplied with my radio after all. With that, I was able to tape the transmitter right under the in-glass antenna. It works quite a bit better now, but the quality still isn't great. For news however, it is just fine.

It causes a fair amount of interference in the AM band, however.

Thanks again,