[Phil №❶]

My phone is capable of playing my music through fm radio at home. I would like to do this with my PC. Searching the internet shows expensive add on devices $100.00 +. Is there a cheaper way. Can't use bluetooth, as the audio equipment is too old. What I'd really like would be to use the wifi at fm frequency, as it has good transmitting power. I found 1 such software download, but it is unavailable and warns that it is very hardware specific. Starting to get over my head a bit. Help would be appreciated. 

[The Gonz]

I presume you mean playing music files from your PC to your radio. Can you describe your phone and its feature?

[Phil №❶]

Yes, all the music came from the PC as mp3's from my CD collection. Every song we own is on the PC which is AC powered, so I'd prefer that option. At the moment I have to deplete the phone battery, then recharge it.

[The Gonz]

Mobile phone make and model?

[Phil №❶]

As I want to eliminate this from the equation I didn't answer but FYI Nokia N8-00, working great too.

[The Gonz]

Elimination or not, that's my starting point or I won't have a well specified description of the capability you require.

[Phil №❶]

[The Gonz]

From what I've found so far, your best cheap option would be a Jaycar kit to connect straight to your PC audio output. Otherwise, keep trawling the chinese websites for a bargain. I found one for $6.20. 

http://dx.com/p/usb-fm-transmitter-100471

[The Gonz]

[rustynutz]

What a bargain! 

[Phil №❶]

You sure are a good trawler Rusty, I could only find car 12 v ones. However for $6.20 I suspect the range would be pretty limited, I can afford a bit more than that for something a little more powerful. 

[The Gonz]

Yeah, good work, Rusty. 
I wouldn't be put off by the 12V.
It's most likely a down conversion to 5V anyway, since circuits in this class are all designed around the USB power standard.
If you find something you like at 12V, let me know and we'll hack at it - since you're not exactly far away.

This might be your preference: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/100mW-500mW-Power-adj-76-108Mhz-Home-FM-TRANSMITTER-/330577986499#shId

[rustynutz]

Yeah, good work, Rusty. 

 

I'll take the praise, regardless....

[rustynutz]

Thought I'd better actually do some trawling....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keene-Electronics-USB-FM-Transmitter/dp/B003GCHPDY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1363407556&sr=1-1

http://compare.ebay.com.au/like/111005759133?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes

Alternatively, if you only want to send to the "stereo" location and not broadcast to other rooms can you stream across lan to a cheap media player?

I have a PVR that doubles as media player and stream audio to it from my desktop which then passes directly to the amplifier. Sound quality is determined by the MP3 bitness and not by a cheap FM link. As well, if you turn on the monitor (TV) you can select your music from a menu while seated in your favourite chair.

[Aussie Keith]

If I understand what you are saying:

current state: phone playing mp3 >> radio via fm transmission from the phone
desired state: PC playing mp3 >> radio via fm transmission from the PC

This seems to be an unusual way to go about playing music stored on your PC. Why not just use a cable to the aux input from the PC audio out?

[Phil №❶]

Music is on a laptop & powered, may play 8 hrs+ if I'm working around the house.
Too many existing cables, don't want any more.
Need to carry the phone with me & phone range on FM is 0 metres, has to stay with the radio.
Ideally, I'd like 200 metres range, to allow for walls etc, which looks like about 250+ mw output. These start to get pricey $50.00 (Based on Dazz's standards).
Existing USB's are only nano w output.

Not the 1_st time I've been guilty of "unusual" thinking. 

[Aussie Keith]

Music is on a laptop & powered, may play 8 hrs+ if I'm working around the house.
Too many existing cables, don't want any more.
Need to carry the phone with me & phone range on FM is 0 metres, has to stay with the radio.
Ideally, I'd like 200 metres range, to allow for walls etc, which looks like about 250+ mw output. These start to get pricey $50.00 (Based on Dazz's standards).
Existing USB's are only nano w output.

Not the 1_st time I've been guilty of "unusual" thinking. 

Now I understand. I have an iPhone and a mains/battery powered speaker. This just works with no messing about.

http://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/desktop-audio/pdx-11_w/

I also have an FM transmitter for the iPod/iPhone which I used in the bus. Reception was always a challenge.

However:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/419257
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/pc-transmitters-c-64.html
http://www.pcs-electronics.com/3000-stereo-transmitter-card-p-1664.html
http://dx.com/p/usb-fm-transmitter-100471
http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Transmitter-Home-Stereo-Audio/dp/B000TJRG36

http://www.belkin.com/au/null-Belkin/p/P-F8V3080;jsessionid=2F56502912525703A2F14B931F7221AD << I have the Tunecast for iPod. Works, but range is extremely limited.

Looks like there are plenty of options at different price points. The higher powered units do look expensive.

[Phil №❶]

Thanks, one and all for your suggestions, I will investigate and consider my options. Well done chaps. 

[Dazzler]

Only just found this thread.. great to see members helping each other so effectively 

[2i30s]

possably a crystal set. 

[Phil №❶]

Many years ago, when I was about 7, I had one of those, I was the 1st person to know that JFK had been assassinated. When I casually mentioned this to my parents, they quickly rushed to turn on the (valve) radio to get the news, they didn't believe me at first 'coz I didn't know what assassinate meant. 

[2i30s]