iPhone causes static when using monster car fm transmitter

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Level 1

8 points

iPhone causes static when using monster car fm transmitter

I connected my iPhone to my existing Monster Icar play FM transmitter. This is the kind that plugs into the audio jack on top of the iPod/iPhone.

While music is playing a loud burst of extreme interferene/static can be observed. Be advised this occurs irregularly as the unit is playing music.

I also observed today that when the iPhone is near my home audio system it sends a loud audible sound of static to my home theatre subwoofer.
This never occurred when using my video iPod.

When I set the phone to airplane mode the problem stops.

Has anyone else had this issue? Any ideas?
-Steve
Long Island, NY

iPhone 8G Mac OS X (10.4.10) iPhone 8G

IMAC G5, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 3, 2007 3:37 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 3, 2007 4:11 PM in response to Sgessler

The reason it does that is due to signal being transmitted to your phone and from your phone. While in aiplane mode there is no signal.

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Answer 2

AymR

Level 2

360 points

Jul 3, 2007 4:14 PM in response to Sgessler

It's because of the phone part, as the previous poster noted.

I actually had an old LG that used to do this - it interacted with speaker phones, car speakers, intercom speakers, anything with a speaker.

And yes - I've noticed that the iPhone causes far more interference than any phone I've owned before.

I've tried to pin it down to the 15 minute check mail loop, but it's happening more often than that, so perhaps I need to see what else is causing the iPhone to connect to the nework. I'm thinking perhaps a search for WiFi?

Sorry 😟

Aym

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Answer 3

Sgessler Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 3, 2007 4:15 PM in response to garrygadget

I know this.

If anyone knows of a FM transmitter that works without this interference, please post.
-Steve

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Answer 4

AymR

Level 2

360 points

Jul 3, 2007 4:17 PM in response to Sgessler

I don't think it's interacting with the transmitter - I think it's interacting with your car radio.

Try turning it to radio and driving for 10 minutes with your phone near the dash, and see if it's still happening.

Aym

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Answer 5

Sgessler Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 3, 2007 4:17 PM in response to AymR

I tried changing the email too.
I put it on airplane mode next to my home theatre subwoofer and the noise stopped.
It looks like the wifi is always "looking" for a network and this is causing the issues.
-SG

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Answer 6

Jul 3, 2007 4:21 PM in response to Sgessler

It's also happening in my recording studio. I have active monitors (amps built in) and occasionally there is a static buzz that plays through the system. This is apparently a known issue with ATT and Cingular cell phones as I discussed this with several other engineers.

No big deal, and I already tried to turn off wifi but the problem still occurs now and then.

Just one thing after another with technology these days.

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Answer 7

Sgessler Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 3, 2007 5:58 PM in response to Ron Wasserman

Thanks to all of you.
At least I am not alone. Perhaps it will be addressed by AT&T or Apple.
Happy 4th!

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Answer 8

Jul 3, 2007 9:46 PM in response to Sgessler

I've read that most FM Transmitters don't work with iPhone, at least not without static, but many don't work at all. I have a Griffin iTrip FM Transmitter/Charger that I adore and although it doesn't play music with my iPhone (I don't even get a rejection message, it just simply doesn't transmit the signal) it DOES charge it, which is lovely. 🙂

The word is that many companies will be releasing iPhone-specific gadgets so you'll have a couple things to carry around if you also (who wouldn't that owns an iPhone) own an iPod.

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