Date:         Sat, 4 Sep 2004 07:29:14 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <j.michael.elliott@ADELPHIA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <j.michael.elliott@ADELPHIA.NET>
Subject:      Using FM stereo for film soundtrack
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

We took our maiden camping trip a few days ago, and I brought a small
inverter to power the laptop so we could watch DVD movies. But the
tinny, puny  sound from the laptop's mighty 1'' speakers was
underwhelming. I had recently installed a better stereo w/ CD changer
and subwoofer into the 84 Westy and I found that I wished that it had
spare inputs which the laptop could plug into, but alas, it was not so
equipped. So I stopped at Target (a chain, sort of an upscale WalMart)
to look for either powered speakers or maybe a couple of headsets to use
with the laptop.

While poking around the audio/video/computer accessories section, near
the portable CD players, I found a very cool solution : a $19.99 FM
modulator that plugs into the headphone jack of a CD player and converts
it to a stereo radio signal that any FM tuner can receive. Looks kind of
like a gray computer mouse, takes two AAA batteries, has a 7'' cord with
a stereo 1/8'' plug on it -- which fits the headphone jack on a laptop.

A switch on the side permits you to select between four possible FM
frequencies, 88.1, 88.3, 88.7 and 88.9. You check these frequencies with
your tuner and find one that does not already have a station on it, and
set the FM modulator to transmit on that frequency.

Worked like a charm!!! The FM signal had no trouble reaching the
Vanagon's outside antenna. Suddenly we had great sound: almost like
surround sound when seated on the rear seat with the Westy's cabinet
speakers behind us; and with the subwoofer turned on, good bass effects,
too.

My wife thought I was a genius. I was pretty impressed, too. This one's
a keeper.

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 VW Type 2 / 84 Westy: A poor but proud race.
KG6RCR