iPods and Sailboats

[Terrence Brady]

Someone has probably figured this out: how do connect your iPod to your way-too-expensive marine FM radio/CD player that lacks an auxiliary input and a cassette player. The little FM transmitter I tried didn't work (of course because the antenna is atop the mast). I'm thinking JUST MAYBE a 12V powered FM transmitter might be able to get the signal to the radio without needing to reach the antenna. Sort of like the Powerline broadband routers. Any opinions or other suggestions?

 

[James Hill]

here is the answer

you have two choices:1. by an fm modulator. this is a fm transmitter that connects directly to the fm antenna input and disconnects the antenna when it is turned on. because it connects directly to the antenna connection, the sound quality is far far superior to the "cheap" fm transmittor sold by belkin and others. they are used to connect cd changers and satellite radios in cars. check out crutchfield.com. cost about $125. hard wires to the 12v.2. do what i did-- just upgraded my stereo to a pioneer car stereo with a built in ipod connection. this is not just a aux plug in. it plugs into the dock plug on the bottom of the ipod. it charges the ipod and you can control the ipod song, playlist etc seclection directly from the stereo (and most importantly the stereo remote). cost about $400 all in.

 

[MasonMcD]

What jacks do you have

on the back of the stereo? If you have standard audio jacks, you can buy a cable that will connect to the headphone jack of the iPod, and the stereo right, stereo left. That might work.Alternatively, you could use your computer + Apple's free iTunes software (for Mac or PC) + Apple's AirPort Express and stream music to your stereo.It all depends on the jacks in back.Here's a link to the AirPort express, and how it works:http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/airtunes.htmlHere's a discussion you may find helpful:http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@429.BErDarJISBM.2@.68b26075

 

[MasonMcD]

Second link

That second link broke at the "at" sign. Here's the link:http://tinyurl.com/bu58u

 

[Terrence Brady]

Thanks

Thanks for the ideas. All I could think of was to hoist the iPod up to the antenna using a spare halyard, but then it would be tough to skip a tune or change the volume...