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Fm transmitter problems


evandewindt

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So I got an eclipse 4000 FM transmitter and it works great with my desktop computer and my iPod but if I connect it to my laptop (using for LOR show comp) it barely transmits the sound.. Mostly just static. I've played with the volume settings on the laptop as well as changing stations, switching audio cords.. Even trying to run the audio through a stereo then to the fm transmitter and Still no dice. Any ideas what it could be? Kinda a bummer because my display is all set up and ready to rock and roll....

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I agree with Cray. Laptops are RF dirty. Meaning that they produce more interference than a good desktop or tower computer. Both of these are normally in a metal case that is grounded and thus reduce the RF noise. Where as a laptop is mostly plastic and not grounded / shielded. Distance, RF chokes on the audio cable and also if you can move the E4000 into a different plane (height) than the laptop might help some. Might go to Radio shack and get a "Ferret Bead" to put a couple wraps of the audio cable through it. This will help block R.F. noise. This is to be just before plugging into the E4000.

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I have an MBB Eclipse4000 and I can tell you exactly what you did to cause the problem. And it is in the owner's manual - I know we are guys and we don't read owner's manuals

The unit is equiped with a built in compressor to keep the sound volume uniform...

If you shut it down and turn it back on the compressor dims the volume to where it sounds like S&*t. Same holds true if you connect to one source, unplug and connect to another source that has a different volume level. it also does it if you crank the volume too high to fast.

Anyway the manual says unplug it from the power source for 10 minutes, plug back in and you will be fine.

I've learned to keep the volume on the PC around 60%.


By the way I bought the 1/4 wave antenna and now broadcast close to a mile now.

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Ok i fixed it!

Thank you for for all of your suggestions!

I tried unplugging the transmitter all night, tried different audio cables, putting the laptop in another room as well as different wire configurations and nothing was working. I figured it had to be my laptop because every other audio device worked fine with the transmitter. I suspected it was something wrong with the sound card or driver but it didnt make sense that it produced good sound into a stereo and not the FM transmitter using the same 3.5mm headphone jack (so i was thinking dirty power noise also). I figured reformatting the laptop would be the easiest way to make sure all the drivers are working correctly since this computer has nothing but LOR stuff on it. Reformatting the computer did the trick and now it sounds crystal clear just like my other devices. now that its working i can start running some test shows tonight and hopefully post some vids tomorrow!





KenL_MCSE wrote:

I know we are guys and we don't read owner's manuals

By the way I bought the 1/4 wave antenna and now broadcast close to a mile now.


and yes your right, i did not read the directions until i was having problems last night haha :)

i also bought the antenna. Its amazing how far it broadcasts! im very impressed.
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KenL_MCSE wrote:

I have an MBB Eclipse4000 and I can tell you exactly what you did to cause the problem. And it is in the owner's manual - I know we are guys and we don't read owner's manuals

The unit is equiped with a built in compressor to keep the sound volume uniform...

If you shut it down and turn it back on the compressor dims the volume to where it sounds like S&*t. Same holds true if you connect to one source, unplug and connect to another source that has a different volume level. it also does it if you crank the volume too high to fast.

Anyway the manual says unplug it from the power source for 10 minutes, plug back in and you will be fine.

I've learned to keep the volume on the PC around 60%.


By the way I bought the 1/4 wave antenna and now broadcast close to a mile now.


Not sure if there is a power level on that particular unit but I would be careful with a range like that. We have been getting away with illegal transmitting for many years now and the more conservitive we are the better chance we have of staying under the radar.

Dan
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LightORamaDan wrote:

KenL_MCSE wrote:
I have an MBB Eclipse4000 and I can tell you exactly what you did to cause the problem. And it is in the owner's manual - I know we are guys and we don't read owner's manuals

The unit is equiped with a built in compressor to keep the sound volume uniform...

If you shut it down and turn it back on the compressor dims the volume to where it sounds like S&*t. Same holds true if you connect to one source, unplug and connect to another source that has a different volume level. it also does it if you crank the volume too high to fast.

Anyway the manual says unplug it from the power source for 10 minutes, plug back in and you will be fine.

I've learned to keep the volume on the PC around 60%.


By the way I bought the 1/4 wave antenna and now broadcast close to a mile now.


Not sure if there is a power level on that particular unit but I would be careful with a range like that. We have been getting away with illegal transmitting for many years now and the more conservitive we are the better chance we have of staying under the radar.

Dan



no power level adjustment that i know of but ive found if you shorten the length of the antenna, that brings down the broadcast range pretty effectively
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