Selecting and connecting a radio modulator

Car FM modulator: what is it and how does it work

This radio channel is configured manually and depending on the level of equipment of the transmitter. Simple models only allow you to switch tracks read from a flash drive (USB or Micro/Mini SD). More serious options are equipped with Bluetooth, and this is another level of functionality. For example, the popular Xiaomi Roidmi 3S allows you to:

• Receiving phone calls in “Hands-free” mode.
• Switch tracks by shaking your smartphone.

Design and principle of operation

Equipping a used car with a modern radio is beyond the means of many owners. Supplementing the standard model with a high-tech FM modulator is a way to save yourself from unnecessary costs and enjoy your favorite playlists on the road from a personal “flash drive” via a USB port.

Disassembled FM modulator

The modulator is designed to play audio files recorded on:

1. An external storage device, usually a flash drive with a standard USB connector.
2. Internal memory of the gadget, depending on the model.
3. Phone, if there is an appropriate connector for a wired connection from the headphone jack.

The transmitter (modulator) is installed in a standard cigarette lighter socket with a voltage of 12 V and during operation transmits a radio signal in the FM range, which is picked up by the antenna of the standard radio. You just need to tune in to the desired wavelength and your favorite music is available for listening. You can play the recording on other FM receivers.

Transmitter modulator

How to connect an FM transmitter to a car radio

Before connecting the gadget to the car stereo, you need to supply power to it. Like a mirror-video recorder with a camera for recording the interior, almost all modern models of repeaters are powered from the cigarette lighter socket. This is convenient, but at the same time causes discomfort, since there is usually only one such outlet in the car. The tee solves this problem, but the final design is bulky and spoils the integrity of the car's interior. The optimal solution is to move the additional 12V socket to a convenient and inconspicuous place and connect the radio wave modulator to it. When the power supply issue is resolved, start setting up.

Conventionally, models of FM transmitters can be divided into two classes with and without Bluetooth function. We introduced the division for a reason - these devices are configured differently, which is why it would not be entirely correct to combine their setup into one manual.

How to configure the radio to receive a signal from a USB/Flash FM modulator

• Install the flash drive into the transmitter.
• Connect the device to the on-board network via the cigarette lighter.
• Turn on the radio on the car radio and find a free frequency. Remember it.
• Configure the repeater to the radio frequency found in the previous paragraph. Settings are performed either using the keys on the gadget itself, or using the remote control that comes with it. The buttons are more commonly referred to as “CH-” and “CH+”.

How to properly install and operate an FM modulator?

Now let's move on to the question of how to connect an FM modulator? First of all, you should download the necessary files to a flash drive or directly to the modulator by connecting the device to the computer. The previously required files should be arranged in the required sequence, then they will be broadcast in exactly the order in which they were recorded. However, modern modulators provide a function for quickly searching for a song or even playing in random order. The last function is a very favorite among music lovers.

Make sure that the voltage in the vehicle network matches that required for the device. Connect the device to the cigarette lighter socket and turn it on. Now modulator models amaze with the variety of not only prices, but also appearance. There is no specific standard for the size or appearance of the device. Just like there is no standard for car interior design. So that the use of the device is as convenient and comfortable as possible, a rotating head is provided.

Installing and checking the FM modulator:

You should start by setting up the FM frequency of the transmitter and receiver. By pressing the “CH” button on the modulator or the “CH-” and “CH+” buttons on the remote control, the FM frequency changes. A similar frequency should be set on the receiver, make sure that the frequencies match. It is important to ensure that playback frequencies are not interrupted by different radio stations. If this does happen, then you should experiment a little with finding the optimal frequency.

How to set up high-quality music playback from an FM modulator

Of the problems associated with the operation of a repeater, only two fall into the category of mass ones:

1. Interference, extraneous noise in the form of wheezing and hissing when playing music in the car.
2. Low quality of reproduced audio.

The main dissatisfaction with the first use of an FM transmitter is that the final sound quality is even worse than that of any city radio with a good signal. In particular, the device “cuts” low and high frequencies well. As a result, the audio sounds even worse than from the disc.

That is why competent drivers advise using a wired connection (AUX output). By the way, some FM modulators allow you to establish such a connection with standard acoustics, and thus establish a connection between a USB flash drive and an old car radio.

There is another way out. If you do not belong to the caste of audiophiles, you can improve the situation with the equalizer built into the FM repeater:

• Turn off the high pass filter.
• Lower the low pass filter to 160 Hz.
• Add units to "low" and "high" in the appropriate categories.

If you have preset programs, select “POP” or “JAZZ” in the equalizer menu.

Car FM transmitter with Bluetooth

Car FM transmitter , offered today by many manufacturers of similar gadgets, is a modulator that differs from conventional models in its impressive functionality. It works with a flash drive from the car's cigarette lighter and has the ability to pair with a mobile phone via a wireless channel.

Using a similar transmitter installed in the car, you can organize speakerphone calls when talking on the phone, which is convenient when driving.

Total

The FM modulator is mainly for owners of one-year-old foreign cars with good standard acoustics that are not equipped with USB and Bluetooth. This device is quite capricious: the transmitter is sensitive to interference from the car’s electrical equipment and the congestion of the metropolitan radio network.

We do not recommend using this gadget to play your own music collection not only for these reasons. The audio quality is frankly poor, and is significantly inferior in this parameter to the AUX channel. The rule “the best means the highest quality”, noted in the material on how to wash tar from a car body without damaging the paint, does not work here. In practical terms, even the best FM transmitter sounds worse than a city radio station with a good signal. There are several explanations for this fact:

• The conversion of “digits” into a radio signal and the reverse conversion of information by the on-board audio system unit into sound are different stages, each of which has its own losses.
• Large radio broadcasting stations use special post-processors to ensure that on-air music sounds high quality through the receiver.

In short, we recommend purchasing an FM modulator only as a means of implementing Hands-free technology. Otherwise, it’s better to buy a player or connect your phone via a mini-jack to the AUX connector so as not to be disappointed with the sound quality.

What does an FM modulator consist of?

What is an FM modulator? How to choose an FM transmitter?

The FM transmitter is a compact device with a miniature digital display and a connector for a flash drive (USB 2.0 in more expensive models, a connector for miniSD or microSD cards). The FM modulator is controlled in two ways, using control buttons located directly on the device itself, as well as from the remote control. The FM modulator uses the cigarette lighter socket as a power source.

Like most devices, FM transmitters are divided into: “budget”, “average” and “advanced” models.

“State employees ,” as expected, contain a minimum of options, only all the essentials, that is, reading, playing, broadcasting to FM waves.

“Medium” models boast a richer range of functions and capabilities, including: work with several recording formats (mp3, AAC, WMA), the presence of slots for miniSD, microSD memory cards, an informative backlit display, a wider FM range.

“Advanced” FM modulators in their arsenal have many functions and all sorts of useful things, support almost all audio formats, allow you to create “playlists”, have a large high-quality display, support all known flash drives, can work with phones (receive calls, speakerphone, contacts). In addition, some models play popular video formats and have built-in Bluetooth.

The leading manufacturers of FM modulators are the following companies: Ritmix , Digma , Proline . Below, I have given the characteristics of the most popular models:

Hands Free: car FM transmitter with Bluetooth support

Many drivers cannot imagine the process of driving a car without their favorite music. And automakers fully satisfy this need by installing a multi-channel audio system. The playback head unit of a modern car is capable of not only reading information from a flash drive, but also establishing a connection with a smartphone and even recharging it.

But what should owners of old cars with standard radios do? It’s unlikely that it will be possible to update it. A car FM transmitter with Bluetooth, which can freely connect with various gadgets, will help out here.

Choosing the best radio modulator in the budget segment

Initial models of repeaters only partially expand the functionality of the native audio system. Usually they only recognize a USB flash drive and a compact microSD. It doesn't reach the smartphone.

The form factor in the budget sector is the price. The cost of the devices below does not exceed 500 rubles:

1. Ritmix FMT-A705 – 310 rubles;
2. Rolsen RFA-380 – 330 rubles;
3. Defender RT-Play – 420 rubles;
4. Neoline Droid FM – 450 rubles.

All models are equipped with remote controls and support MP3. In addition, they are trained to save the latest song and sort through music folders. The above-mentioned devices from Rolsen and Defender are capable of reproducing WMA along with MP3.

Before setting up the presented FM modulators in your car, let’s look at the permissible capacity of readable flash media. Models from Rolsen and Neoline interact only with flash drives with a capacity of no more than 16 GB. Among competitors this characteristic is 32 GB.

Analysis of reviews shows that Defender RT-Play is an affordable FM transmitter with good sound quality and the largest range in the segment (10 m, competitors have 3.5...5 m). However, this product is not suitable for truckers - like the Rolsen RFA-380, it is powered only from a 12V network. A worthy analogue for heavy truck drivers is Neoline Droid FM with a color LCD display. Ritmix FMT-A705 is less reliable.

Price issue

Budget devices

Simple devices, which are distinguished by their favorable price, have a set of only basic functions. A car FM transmitter with a small black and white display is capable of changing the frequency used, rewinding a recording, and playing files, since it does not have its own memory. The working distance is a maximum of 7–9 meters. Quite often such converters have a small frequency range.

Mid-range models

FM modulator Energy System

You can install an FM transmitter in your car with a more attractive interface. In addition to the kit, there is a remote control and memory that allows you to work at several frequencies.

Premium systems

Premium switches have the largest range of features. A color display, the presence of software, the ability to connect to a computer, and even an equalizer with several sound modes, and much more, allow such devices to become one of the best.

Let's connect or how to set up an FM modulator in any car yourself

If video recorders with a radar detector can simply be plugged into the cigarette lighter, then with FM transmitters everything looks much more complicated. As you know, a repeater converts digitized information into a radio signal. It is very important that the wave frequency generated by the device does not coincide with the broadcast frequency of public and special radio stations.

For your information. The frequency 87.5 FM is free in almost any city.

• Install a flash drive into the repeater.

• Insert the device into the cigarette lighter.
• Set the radio frequency using the remote control.
• Turn on the radio and select Radio mode.
• Set up the audio system to the FM modulator broadcast frequency.

The method for setting up a gadget with Bluetooth is almost the same as described above. Only the 6th transition is added, associated with connecting a smartphone via a wireless network.

Owners of a car FM transmitter with Bluetooth mode Xiaomi Roidmi 3S/2S operate according to a different scheme. The device does not come with a remote control - all settings are made in a special application available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

For your information. A blinking LED indicates that the device is not yet connected to the smartphone. After connecting the phone to the repeater via Bluetooth, the LED will simply light up.

Setting the operating frequency and activating the track switching mode by shaking the smartphone are done in the application. There you can also choose the color of the LED.

Popular models

This will be a small rating of devices that have gained popularity, have positive reviews and are in high demand on the market.

• Bliss FM from Neoline. It comes with a remote control, supports two storage formats up to 16 GB, and covers the entire FM wavelength range. It transmits sound perfectly and can play music in folders, which allows you to create playlists. Costs only 900 rubles;

• MFM 26CU made by Mystery. For 900 rubles you get a very wide range of features, including a built-in equalizer for adjusting the sound to your taste. Memory function for repeating tracks in the desired sequence, informative screen, large range. But the drive is only available up to 4 GB;

• Xiaomi Roidmi 2s. One of the most popular transmitters on the market. A multifunctional device for little money, operating on Bluetooth technology. Allows you to turn on speakerphone on your phone, has a mid-range frequency, convenient control and synchronization with your smartphone. It is enough to download the program from the store, depending on the operating system of the phone. Allows you to charge your phone without turning off the music. Features a highly durable display;

• FMT A955 from Ritmix. It belongs to the expensive segment, but the price is fully justified by the sound quality and set of functions. It’s difficult to describe all the possibilities, but I’ll at least focus on the fact that it can work with external drives with a capacity of up to 32 GB.

My short review will not give a complete picture of the devices. But the presented models definitely deserve attention. Each of them comes with instructions, which I strongly advise you to study before connecting and using.

I hope you found it interesting and highlighted something useful for yourself. Be sure to share your opinion and experience using modulators in the comments. Don't forget to subscribe and share links with your friends!

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Good evening fellow drivers, I’ve been using this kind of thing for a long time, but recently the number of free radio frequencies has sharply decreased, and there’s a lot of interference... Who uses these devices, please share what wavelength your device operates on?

I used to drive on 107.9, the interference is terrible, now I drive on 91, it’s also starting to “crack”

Instructions: how to set up and connect an FM modulator (transmitter) in a car, through the cigarette lighter

Music is very important when driving a car. After all, it is the background for the driver and passengers. If your car has a radio where only the radio works, you can configure and connect an FM modulator through the cigarette lighter, then listen to your favorite music. With the development of technology in an old car that is 10-20 years old, which is not uncommon today (this is the secondary market