Home > Consumer Reviews > C. Crane FMT Digital FM Transmitter with AC Adapter

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!

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.

This is a great device! As of December 3, 2004, the price for this device is $69.95 with free shipping at www.ccrane.com. Make sure to also check their Orphans and Closeouts section, I found one there for $59.95. I looked at other fm transmitters, but this one has the longest range. This device may be more expensive than others, but it is worth it.

Amazingly simple to use right out of the box. Plays all my mp3's from my hard drive to any radio in the house and the back yard. Much easier to use than a low power fm radio station transmitter hooked to your computer, and at a third of the cost. The range seemed short at first, (I initially got about forty feet) but with proper antenna height and position, attention to grounding values and finding an absolutely clear station without any station on either side, I can and do get over 170 feet in range. It's also digital with PLL tuning, which means no frequency drift. Fans with amatuer radio experience will not have a problem with this unit. Technical support is available from the manufacturer to assist the novice with range and interference questions. Best investment I've made in a long time.

I thought this was the worst thing out there even after the mod. I was going to return it. It couldn't even go 15ft straight line without a lot of static. Until I realized my source volume was to high. It over loaded the unit and you hear lots of static. There is a small red light next to the FM station if the red light is on your source is too high turn it down or turn down the input volume on the side of the unit. IT WORKED Great after that. Try this before you return it.