Many will know it: you jump from station to station, but there is nothing interesting in it car radio, How nice it would be if you could just listen to the music of your MP3 player or smartphone. But this proves to be difficult, because many of the newer car radios do not have the necessary connections to an MP3 player or a Smartphoneto be able to use.
Using headphones in the car is out of the question, as it can be banned and secondly life-threatening. So what to do? The solution to the problem is relatively simple.

Transfer music with FM transmitters

On FM transmitter is a mobile, small transmitter that can wirelessly send any audio signal on an FM frequency. If you now connect an MP3 player, smartphone or a tabletwith a FM transmitter , the car radio receives the signal and plays it off.
In order for the transfer of MP3 to the car radio works smoothly, some things should be noted.
The small ones are allowed FM transmitter here in Germany only since 2006. Also admitted are only devices, which have a CE mark and whose power does not exceed 50 nW. In addition, the application area (Germany) must be noted on the device and the packaging. For transmitters without test mark and identifier should refrain from buying.
The transmission range has been severely limited by law and may at a FM transmitter outside the vehicle not more than 3 to a maximum of 5 meters. Inside the vehicle, the range is limited by the interior and the sheet metal body again considerably. The transmitter should therefore always be placed near the car antenna.
In order to send the music of the MP3 player or the smartphone trouble-free, the small transmitter needs an empty, free frequency. In the conurbations with many large radio stations, however, the free slots can be extremely limited. In order not to reduce the sound and reception quality, the transmitter should be able to access the full range of available frequencies in the German broadcasting area.
For longer journeys, it may occasionally happen that the selected free station in another area is occupied by one of the local radio stations. If the car radio is activated, it may happen that the car radio automatically tries to tune in a new station. To prevent this, you have to disable this feature.

sound

Of course, with the low transmit power allowed to a transmitter in Germany, it is understandable that one should not expect too much in terms of sound quality. Since the FM transmitter just as a normal broadcasting station transmits the audio signals analogously, it can also cause the known noise and cracking in case of interference.
Since the transmitters can also lose transmission power when the battery power is low, it is always advisable to have a set of charged, strong batteries at hand. In the vehicle itself you can connect the transmitter via a suitable adapter with the cigarette lighter, through the circuit of the vehicle, the transmitter is always automatically supplied with enough energy.

In order to increase the sound quality, a transmission via Bluetooth would be optimal. Unfortunately, most FM transmitters available on the market are not yet equipped with this technology and most car radios are also unable to receive audio signals via Bluetooth. However, there are now for a large number of car radios retrofit kits that you can easily and easily connect to your own car radio. For radios that have a 3.5mm jack, for example, the DBPOWER B233 would be a good choice. The DBPOWER can be connected to two smartphones at the same time and even acts as a speakerphone,

Can the radiocan not be retrofitted, and the sound quality is severely impaired, it helps sometimes older car radios, the volume of the MP3 player or the connected smartphone a little quieter, but set the car radio higher.

An external equalizer can also be helpful in improving the sound. In this way you can adjust the sound to your personal preferences. Transmitter settings can be set and saved separately, eliminating the hassle of reloading on every startup.

What types of transmitters are there?

After the market was released in Germany in 2006 for FM transmitters, a variety of different models in almost all price segments are available. There are devices with integrated MP3 player, which are operated via a memory card, transmitters with hands-free systems that simultaneously operate the smartphone and transmit music, transmitters integrated in navigation devices or devices that can be used not only in the car but also at home. Here is a brief overview of price and commendable transmitters with different functions.

The Belkin Car Audio Connect FM Transmitter is located in a higher price range. The Belkin Transmitter connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth and has a USB port to charge the smartphone while driving. With handsfree function for safe telephoning. When a call is received, the transmitter automatically switches off the music so that the caller is clearly informed about the call speakerof the radio. The Belkin is easily controlled by pressing a button.

A small but powerful transmitter with no frills is the TeckNet® Universal FM Transmitter / wireless Transmitter. Compatible with most smartphones and iPhones, it easily transmits the audio signals to the car radio. The adjustment takes place over only two buttons and can be followed over a small display. The set frequency can be stored and an adapter for the cigarette lighter is included.

Here is an example of a wireless transmitter that simply plugs into the headphone jack of your smart or I-phone or MP3 player.
The Patuoxun radio receiver, with LCD display is a transmitter for wireless use. Simply plugged into the headphone socket of the mobile phone or MP3 player, the small transmitter transmits the audio signals to the nearest radio.
The JETech Wireless FM Transmitter has an automatic scan function. If both operating buttons on the device are pressed simultaneously, the transmitter automatically selects a fault-free frequency and displays it in the display. In the supplied cigarette lighter adapter is also a USB port, with which you can charge the smartphone.