I’ve been reading on the web about quite a number of people who are having problems getting their iTrip FM transmitters for the iPod to work.
In the UK, the use of such a product is illegal and, according to the Telegraph:
“While it only operates in a very small area, the device still contravenes the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949. All FM frequencies have already been licensed to radio stations, and the regulator Ofcom says that by tuning your iTrip into the radio, you are effectively creating a pirate station.”
The Wireless and Telegraphy Act was designed to prevent broadcasting of pirate radio stations and people interfering with government frequencies but judging by the number of pirate radio stations I pick up driving around metropolitan areas, no-one seems to be that bothered about it any more, certainly not for a device with a range of just a few metres… if one were to use such a device, say for example, on a trip to the USA, or on a boat sailing outside UK waters (very Radio Caroline), then they might find that it would a while to get it working. The points to note are:
- Follow Griffin Technology’s tuning instructions to the letter, making sure that the tuning track is paused mid-way through and that the light on the iTrip flashes three times before remaining on continuously.
- It may take one or more resets of the iPod before the iTrip works as intended.
- The iTrip may take several (up to 15) seconds before the transmission begins (after which an impatient new user may give up and say it’s not working).
- The iTrip will not begin to transmit until a track is played (at between 50 and 70% volume level).
- As should be expected, battery life is affected by the use of an iTrip.
The iTrip Mini is particularly neat as it sits on top of the iPod Mini, but potential purchasers should be made aware that the positioning of the headphone socket on the right hand side of the iPod means that there is a tiny gap on the left hand side and the connection is a bit flimsy as it is only really connected one side. It would be great if it could clip on somehow (but I have no idea how that would work without spoiling the effect of the iTrip Mini sitting flush on top of the iPod Mini). Traditional iPod users should have no such worries (but need to be aware of the various versions for different generations of iPod).
Hey the law has just changed on this you can now buy these in the UK but not use them here. This is due to Germany and Switzerland making them legal. This means that they can now be purchased in any EU country but only used in the two above mentioned countries. You can now get them legally from http://www.easyishop.co.uk
I haven’t checked out the legal status on the iTrip for a while but I actually bought one last year from Go-Gadget-Go (although I no longer need it as my current car has an auxilliary input with a 3.5mm jack which is perfect for the iPod).
I believe these are going to be legal in the UK next month. You can purchase them quite cheaply for use in EU at http://www.allaccessories.co.uk
There’s some new models of Griffin iTrip now. The latest models don’t need a seperate car charger…
I bought my bought my iTrip from myBoomBox in the UK. I went for the iTrip Auto. They do the whole Griffin range…
I’m well happy with it… it works a treat.
I have been selling iPod FM Transmitters such as Griffins entire range of iTrips for a few years now on my website http://www.shop21.uk.com and can confirm that CE approved models are supposed to be legal in the UK from October onewards. At last ! I have had Ofcom & the DTI on my case for the last couple of years threatening both me & my business with fines and prison. Others who have been threatened by them have simply set up shop abroad (away from DTI’s juristiction)rendering the DTI’s exercise counter productive since this agency is supposed to be protecting and encouraging British business but instead functioning exactly the opposite using British Tax payers money to push business abroad and hence, errr, reduce British tax revenues !!