Fm transmitter for healthy relationship

All FM transmitters aren't created equal, however. Some have a feature that seeks a good frequency automatically. What's more, sound quality may depend on the efficiency and length of the transmitter's antenna A few models use the charging cable itself as an antenna for better quality, while other FM transmitters are completely wireless, small and very portable. If this is the case, they'll have poorer-quality antennas. And without a charger, they'll sap power from the iPod itself, shortening the device's battery life.

For the best sound quality from an FM signal, experts recommend an FM modulator that uses wires to connect the car's antenna and the radio. Using one of these involves removing the radio -- a more complicated process than hooking up typical FM transmitters.

While FM transmitters (especially wireless ones) are simple to install and use, beware interference and hissing sounds. For better sound quality, you can try using an adapter, which we'll talk about next.

The FM transmitters I tested vary in their range of features. Some broadcast on a very limited number of frequencies while others can access more frequencies than your radio can play. Some connect to the iPod's headphone jack, whereas others use the iPod's higher-quality dock-connector port instead. Most allow you to store and recall presets for easier navigation, but a few don't. And some let you switch between stereo and mono broadcasting—a feature that can help the FM transmitter drown out competing frequencies, and achieve longer range, at the expense of true stereo sound.

Although I appreciate some of these extra features, my main concern was sound quality: Does the FM transmitter offer a clear signal? If not, all the features in the world aren't going to make it a good choice. Our ratings are based largely on how a transmitter performs in this regard—for this reason you'll see many 3-Play ratings, as many of the FM transmitters were average performers. If they were also easy to use, that was worked into our scoring.

Of the possible "extra" features, those that offer the greatest benefit include: The ability to tune outside the normal FM band—specifically 87.9. "Regular" radio stations can't use this frequency, thus ensuring that you'll always have an open frequency to work with.  The ability to output a stronger mono signal.

The ability to store presets. Unsafe though it may be, you'll be tempted to change frequencies while driving as interference kicks in. Far better that you push a button to switch to a clear station than take your eyes off the road and try to scroll station-by-station through the frequencies.

A dock connector connection, the iPod's dock connector port puts out a cleaner, line-level audio signal than does the headphone port. Cigarette lighter power, (Yes, we understand that the politically correct name for this 12-volt port is the "auxiliary power receptacle," but everyone on earth know what you're talking about when you refer to this receptacle as the "cigarette lighter port.") Being able to charge the transmitter and iPod from the cigarette lighter ensures that you needn't charge your iPod before taking it on a trip and saves you routine trips to the store to purchase AA or AAA batteries for your FM transmitter.

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