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

I needed to send the audio from my media server and satellite receiver to various parts of my house, cabling was realling going to be a problem so I looked into audio transmitters. All of the destinations had FM tuners (some very sensitive). Right out of the box I didnt expect much, dropped in two AA batteries and went right for the gruel test... DirectTV channel 838 (Atmospheres) the Dynamic range I figured would push this unit over the edge, but I am just floored at its quality. I tried 5 different tuners throughout the house and ea one pulled in a clear, clean, strong signal. There is a little noise in the background but easy to live with. I now have access to all the commercial free channels I can handle! Without question, the output boost modification mentioned here helps. Easy to use, and really small so use in the car is an option. Great product!

The title says it. At first I could not get reception even in the next room, with both doors wide open. Then I read either here or C.Crane's website about attaching a wire to the antenna. I had about 35 feet of copper wire, running along the baseboard in the hallway, that I had been using for short-wave. I soldered an alligator clip to one end and attached it to the antenna, and now I have a signal thru the whole house, even in the basement (and the transmitter is on the 2nd floor). On one radio, I have to switch from stereo to mono, and it works fine. I have not done the 'mod' where you take off the back and turn a screw to increase power. You may not have to use as long a wire as I have. Or, some people get a longer telescoping antenna at Radio Shack to replace the original one. I'm very pleased with this product.

I opened mine, and messed up the thumb-wheel micro potentiometer (the volume control)

I am far from being an electrician, but do have some basic understanding of it (ie, do not plug scissors in power outlets)

I think I have identified (Google is your friend) the micro potentiometer, as an 8MM Horizontal Type, Dual Unit. I'll see if I can find that on my local stores, and replace it (humm, I think this will be my first wire soldering experience).


Anyhow, looking at how the cage is constructed, I can see that there are three holes on the cover.
The left-top one, aligns perfectly with the VR2. It would be just a matter of removing the back sticker, and sticking a screwdriver tru the hole.

If I had know this, I wouldn't have attempted to open the box.

The hole in the middle, seems to be the antenna ground line.

And the one on the bottom, the antenna line itself.



Side notes: The transmitter works best, with an unused signal, so it does not has to compete with it.
Meaning, tune your receiver first!, find a white noise stations, as far as possible from nearby (upper and lower) signal transmitting stations.
Then tune your transmitter (this device) to that station.

I have owned about three FM transmitters including an iTrip. By far, this is the easiest to use, has the best sound and the longest range.

As long as you set the audio level appropriately, the sound is great. Right out of the box, I can transmit from the 2nd floor of my house to the basement, garage, pool and even to my portable FM headphone radio when I mow my lawn! We have a built in intercom/radio system in the house. It is pretty neat to listen to XM thru the whole house!

No need to do the mod on my unit, the range is fine even with the antenna in the down position. Maybe C Crane has quality issues with some units?

Highly recommended!

I was seeking a way to watch t.v. in my basement while running on the treadmill and lifting weights in the early morning hours. The T.V. had to be turned up way too loud so that I could hear it while on the treadmill. I purchased this FM transmitter and used my arm-band fm "walkman" type of device to receive the signal. The reception was terrible unless I stood right next to the transmitter. If I walked even SIX FEET away from the transmitter, the signal was lost completely. I tried all kinds of different frequencies and even tried putting the transmitter across the room from my other stereo equipment.

I did NOT try the hardware modification that one of the other reviews mentions.

I returned the Crane FM transmitter and went bluetooth: I bought the Motorola S9 and the Motorola DC800 stereo adapter. These two paired easily and the sound is unbelievable. I can run on the treadmill and watch "loud" T.V. and there are no reception problems.