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C. Crane FMT Digital FM Transmitter with AC Adapter | 
| Brand: C.Crane
List Price: $69.95
Buy New: $64.99
as of 7/30/2010 02:14 CDT details
You Save: $4.96 (7%)
New (6) from $64.99
Seller: closeoutwarehouse
Rating:  146 reviews
Media: Electronics
Batteries: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 4 x 2.3
MPN: FMT
Model: FMT
UPC: 696714311015
EAN: 0696714311015
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Wireless transfer of any audio to any FM receiver | | • | Highest Quality, full stereo on any FM Frequency of your choice | | • | Listen to streaming audio from your computer on your kitchen radio | | • | Send your MP3 audio to your home stereo system | | • | Runs on AC power adapter or 2 AA batteries (not included) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Includes C Crane Digital FM Transmitter Black AC adapter.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 146
 HOW TO FIX THE RANGE PROBLEM September 29, 2004
NC (USA)
260 out of 263 found this review helpful
1) Open up the box,
by removing 3 screws (one screw is in battery compartment and the other 2 are under those circular rubber feet which are adhesive and once removed can be refitted afterwards)
2) Locate the variable resistor marked VR2 on the circuit board. (For those non-technical this is like a volume control that is operated by inserting a tiny screwdriver and turning fully clockwise). Turn VR2 to the fully clockwise position.
Viola! The power output will increase by about five fold.
If you want to go even further, then
a) sit it on a grounded metallic surface, such as a metal tray to form a ground plane.
b) increase the length of the antennae to about 75 cm (29 inches) which is the correct quarter wavelength at these frequencies.
But frankly, you are unlikely to need this once you turn up the boost.
Enjoy
AWESOME - nothing will be better at this June 13, 2007
S. Prive (New England)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
There are some negative reviews here -- please, before posting, read all the comments. If you're upset this does not have the range/power you want "out of the box" then write to your Congressman and ask them to relax limits the FCC places on these devices. Or "open the box" and tweak the master volume knob. Just know there IS a legal cap on performance for any consumer FM transmitter, and it is ignorant to blame the manufacturer. All transmitters are subject to this rule, and this one is unique because you can override that setting (at your own risk).
This device is unique because you can:
a) choose ANY frequency (not just 2 or 3 set at the factory)
But your results will vary by frequency. You MUST research what stations are used in your area, and find some "dead space" between channels. This sweet spot will vary if you are mobile between home and work, for example.
In my area, the default station 88.3 has a strong public radio station, so I found 90.5 worked best. There are websites that will show you station strength and distance based on your postal code... they help. Don't expect to get a good signal on a thin slice between 2 strong stations.
b) You can "boost" device power using the internal screw (VR2) trick documentd here. It works. Just don't turn it up more than you need... maxing it out can easily interfere with radio reception on or near your frequency choice. If everyone on your street can't tune in a valid station, you are asking for trouble from the FCC.
As a new owner, I should add the following about the disassembly:
Notice the "volume wheel" that protrudes through the case? That can easily snap off during disassembly. It's almost impossible to remove the cover without putting SOME stress on the wheel (a little bit does not break it but YMMV). At the very least, first make sure this wheel is at MAX (so IF it breaks off, maybe it's just stuck on max boost).
Near the antenna, they use some gummy glue to hold the case together. Just carefully pry the case apart. To avoid losing control during this step and stressing wires, I used a wide flat screwdriver and twisted it (providing just enough separation force to pop the glue on that side).
This was easier than it sounds, but if you are clumsy with a screwdriver then get someone to do it for you... or skip this type of device, and get a long audio extension cable.
Works on any headphone port, such as my laptop and my mobile PC (Nokia N800 Linux tablet)
Wonderful Gadget February 23, 2005
Marco De Vivo (Miami, Florida United States)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I got 4 of these gadgets. I have a lot of scanners, radios, and computers. Until now I could more or less hear any source in nearly any receptor. But today I saw the modification ("upgrade") to improve transmission power and .... eureka!! now I have a full interconnected audio network, and don't lose a word from anywhere to everywhere. The gadget is well worth its price. Buy it, upgrade it and ENJOY it.
By the way, the modification doesn't bring any nasty lateral effects at all. No degradation of the signal/noise ratio, nor any kind of noise boosting. Just a more powerful but still clean signal (-- make sure you are choosing an unused or weakly used frequency). Only beware to adjust the resistor so not to bother your neighbors with your transmissions (or organize kind of "pay per hear" :-). Turn VR2 fully clockwise (as recommended by another reviewer) only then and if really needed.
Awesome xmtr! December 9, 2004
Rockin' Rob (Blue Bell, PA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
I did radio in Philly for 10 years. I first heard about this device and company on the old "Art Bell Show".
I got the first generation transmitter. WOW! I get it to the end of my street in suburban Philly!!! Only downside is since it's analog tuning (insert a skinny device, such as a medium guitar pick into the tuning apparatus) is that it drifts if you jostle it too much.
So I got the new ones (pictured above) and, while the range is lower, it still serves a purpose. I now have three and I'm thinking of getting three more. One will take the place of the 1G, so I can retire that to the South Jersey shore to relay my XM signal.
Another great feature is the line volume control that was sorely lacking on the 1G. This way you can balance the sound of the signal better.
I don't know where the users are getting the "hiss/tones" from. Of course, if you use it to relay AM and either you have a TV set on or are near fluorescent lighting, you will get a nasty buzz. If you use it in car, the electronics might send off a signal that will impede the quality. Otherwise, I have ZERO complaints on the unit.
Applications used: Primarily to run audio from other sources. I use the one on 97.1 (2G) to relay audio from my cable box (usually FNC weekdays with the stereo audio from FOX network on Sunday for football), 98.5 (1G) relays AM audio from the Philly sports talker, 106.5 (2G) runs either NOAA Weather Radio or CBS audio (again, for football in season), or the local AM talk station. It's like I have my own radio network!
About C. Crane, they are professionals and, as the equiptment is usually built in-house, they should be able to answer any questions about the performance. THey are great to deal with (even if you didn't buy direct from them). And, far more, they are radio people, so it's not like you have to break down the issue for them.
All in all, this correspondant highly recommends the C. Crane xmtr!
Tried many THIS ONE WORKS December 16, 2005
Jules Brenner (San Francisco)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I bought and tried five different transmitters, returned four of them. Some worked in some conditions, some were noticeably poor. The Crane is excellent and I can't fault it.
The workmanship, design, and finish is excellent. The reception is superb, both in my home, and in the car. The battery life is surprisingly good considering the power of the transmitter. (I use lithium cells which seem to last forever in my transmitter). I haven't needed to use the AC adapter yet as I was trying to see how long the batteries last.
Most times, I use the transmitter without the antenna extended and have only needed to extend it on rare occasions. I connect my transmitter to my PC output and then use radios around the house to play music. When I use the radio in my garage (about 80 yards away) I have to extend the antenna. Nowhere in my house do I need to.
In my car, I put my media player in the glove compartment with the transmitter connected, and I get fantastic reception without wires all over the car. Neat.
I have to conclude that if someone thought that this Crane is not good, then I would have to think it is for one of the following reasons:
1. Unreasonable expecations for a (relatively) low power FM transmitter (they all can be influenced by strong transmissions in the vicinity of reception).
2. No basis for comparison - again, not being realistic about what one can expect from this technology. It sure aint Bluetooth.
3. Unlucky and got one that isn't working properly.
I also read up on how to modify the transmitter to increase the power, and was ready to do it but there is really no need. It is something I'm keeping in my back pocket in case I find I need it in future for longer distances.
I highly recommend this unit. And I am a real fussy bugger, and am a product designer with good knowledge of electronics and technology.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 146
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