Cheap iTrip modification that works
[1020 byte] By [mulubinba] at [2007-11-10 13:56:07] 
In my car the quality of the iTrip signal was very poor. I wondered if I could improve the signal and did find pictures showing an iTrip cracked open exposing its antenna. I did not quite like the idea of destroying my iTrip (it was a birthday present), but the pictures reveal the location of the internal antenna. By removing one of the little rubber stoppers in the side of the iTrip and with good light I could see the internal antenna. Using 2 metres of Black Flexible Light Duty Hook-up Wire from Jaycar Electronics ($0.50) I removed the insulation from the terminal 2cm, fashioned it into a hook shape and looped it through the hole in the iTrip around the antenna and out. I twisted it tight so the electrical connection was secure. Amazingly, with this 2 metres of wire attached to the internal antenna running along the floor I now get perfect reception in my car. If you have been disappointed with the iTrip- give it a go- you can always untwist the wire and replace the plastic plug if it doesn't work.
# 1 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
That's an amazing and non destructive idea! All you need is to do now is to paint the wire white to blend in with the iPod! Have you tried coiling the wire so that it does not have to trail on the floor?
simon hutchings at 2007-11-15 15:53:27 >
# 2 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
coiling the wire will distroy the transmitting properties, don't do it.Also, if you use a certian legenth of wire, it will work best (like a multiple of the wavelegenth or something, look it up)
-Drew
DrewT at 2007-11-15 15:54:27 >
# 3 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
Yes, it is true, with the wire coiled up it doesn't work as well. I also think it helps that the wire runs towards the back of the car (VW Golf), which is where the car's aerial is.mulubinba at 2007-11-15 15:55:25 >
# 4 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
hi, i did this mod, thanks :) and it works GREAT! i widdled the end plastic away with an exacto knife and opened the end right up, enuf to solder a piece of wire onto the end of the original.i soldered about 1 metre of wire on. i 'googled' "optimum fm transmitter wire length" and found that there is an optimal length of wire to capture all hertz scales. here's the google link i used:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=optimum+fm+transmitter+wire+length&btnG=Search
40gigger at 2007-11-15 15:56:20 >
# 5 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
This sounds really interesting...I don't get this part:Originally posted by mulubinba
Using 2 metres of Black Flexible Light Duty Hook-up Wire from Jaycar Electronics ($0.50) I removed the insulation from the terminal 2cm, fashioned it into a hook shape and looped it through the hole in the iTrip around the antenna and out. I twisted it tight so the electrical connection was secure. Amazingly, with this 2 metres of wire attached to the internal antenna running along the floor I now get perfect reception in my car.
So is there a cable that is wired on the antenna of the iTrip and then it just protrudes from the device and is laying on the floor of your car?
So why is the reception perfect? Does it completely overpower urban radio signals? Or does the quality of the transmission sound more CD-quality like?
Can somebody do a photo tuturial of this process?
SDEEDY at 2007-11-15 15:57:29 >
# 6 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
Yes - that's right. There is a wire coming out of the iTrip (as pictured) which in this case is 2 metres long. Running the wire along the floor and into the back of the car seems to give the best reception. 40gigger's reply above suggests that a one metre length would work just as well (perhaps better).mulubinba at 2007-11-15 15:58:28 >
# 7 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
I did a google search, and what'd ya know, photo tutorial:http://www.lemonfridge.com/galleries/itrip/
So can you explain what "Black Flexible Light Duty Hook-up Wire from Jaycar Electronics ($0.50)" is? I mean, I just wanna know what its generic term is so I can find it at my local Radio Shack or Altex.
I found the "other" ipodlounge thread on this topic:
http://forums.ipodlounge.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79264&perpage=15&highlight=iTrip&pagenumber=3
SDEEDY at 2007-11-15 15:59:32 >
# 8 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
Just buy cheap generic electrical wire. It needs to be thin enough (with the insulation stripped off) to fit through the holes, but stiff enough to hold its shape while you hook it round the internal antenna.mulubinba at 2007-11-15 16:00:34 >
# 9 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
from what i have read about this subject, 57" is the ideal length. i also read that 4'10 1/2" (58 1/2") is optimum.but ya, definately better reception than factory.
40gigger at 2007-11-15 16:01:32 >
# 10 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
this might improve the quality of the signal but not the quality of the audio, right?mallu2u at 2007-11-15 16:02:32 >
# 11 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
what about concealing a wire and running it into the trunk and attaching it to the base of the antenna? I think I can hide a wire of this length pretty well. If the wire is cheap enough, I'll try it.lamboe80 at 2007-11-15 16:03:30 >
# 12 Re: Cheap iTrip modification that works
The quality of the audio depends on the playlist doesn't it? Before doing this modification the itrip produced an output which was horrible to listen to. Now you can hear the music. It has made the device usable. Not quite as good as a hard-wired solution though.mulubinba at 2007-11-15 16:04:28 >
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