FM Transmitter-HLLY

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Cable With The Red & White RCA Jacks For?

This is a special custom made cable enabling you to broadcast from devices like DVD & VCR players that do not have an earphone jack but only RCA jacks. You can also use it to broadcast from a home theater or stereo tuner and some satellite radio units. The in-line volume control allows you to adjust the output volume into the FM transmitter. If you were to plug a RCA jack lineout directly into the FM transmitter it would over power the audio and sound distorted. You can purchase this cable from us so make sure you keep it in a safe place when not in use.

My Retractable Cables Got Tangled Up

Make sure you pull from both ends of the cable at the same time when you want to extend them.

I Think All Of The FM Frequencies Are Used In My Area?

Some people report that all 7- transmitter channels are being used. This is not possible since the FCC requires blank channels between commercial stations. What they are hearing is bleed-over noise from a commercial station. When you select one of these blank channels the FM transmitter will broadcast over the noise.

It is best to listen for open stations from a ditigal radio like your car radio for example.

Will Leaving My Villa FM Transmitter™ On All Day & Night Harm It?

No, The Villa FM Transmitter™ is designed to run non-stop 24 -7.

Why Doesn't My FM Transmitter Turn On?

• If the red power indicator LED is on, your FM transmitter should be working.
• Are you aware that there is a power switch on the front just below the red LED?
• Is the power cord firmly attached to the FM transmitter?
• Is the AC adapter plugged into the wall?
• Have you tried to use batteries or the USB Power cable with your computer to power it instead of the AC Adapter (or vice versa)?
• Make sure the audio cable is firmly plugged into both devices.
• If you are using the RCA jack adapter make sure the volume is not all the way down.
• Make sure your audio device is working.

Why Don't I Hear Anything?

• Is the audio cable firmly attached to the Whole House FM Transmitter™ and your audio source?• Is the volume turned up on your audio source?
• Is the volume turned up on your FM Receiver source?
• Make sure the audio cable is firmly plugged into both devices.
• If you are using the RCA jack adapter make sure the volume is not all the way down.
• Make sure your audio device is working
• It's that darn Rock n' Roll, it ruined your ears! ... :-)

My Audio Source Doesn't Have A Volume Control

Does it use an RCA plug? If so, use our custom volume control included with your FM transmitter.

I Lost My AC Adapter Can I Use Some Other One?

NO, using a power supply other than the one included with the FM transmitter WILL damage the unit and void the money back guarantee.

Visit our accessories area to purchase another one.

What is the Power Output & Distance the FM Transmitter will go?

The power output of the Villa FM transmitteris designed to comply with FCC Part 15C (Section 15.239) click here for more information about this rule. The distance the FM transmitter can go will vary greatly depending on your environment and quality of FM Receiver so providing an exact distance for your situation is not possible. We do guarantee a radius of 150 feet when setup properly.

Click here for more information about why the FCC uses microvolts (µV) to determine the power output of a FM transmitter.

Is this FM Transmitter Designed to be FCC Compliant and What Exactly are the FCC Rules?

Yes, the Villa FM transmitteris designed to be FCC compliant with Part 15C [Section 15.239(b)] which states:

The field strength of any emissions within the permitted 200 KHz (88 - 108MHz) band shall not exceed 250 microvolts/meter at 3 meters. The emission limit in this paragraph is based on measurement instrumentation employing an average detector.

Since this is a question the FCC receives a lot they have also issued a FCC Part 15 Public Notice dated July, 24 1991 that helps clarify the maximum distance you can transmit without needing a FCC license. They provide an "Approximate Maximum Coverage Radius" of 200 feet. Read the FCC Part 15 Public Notice dated July, 24 1991.

The FCC also has a section on their website dedicated to low power transmitters and Part 15, click to see that site.

Also, here is a copy of FCC Part 15 dated August 14, 2006. It is 155 pages so it may take a while to download depending on your connection speed

**Please note the information we are providing here is for educational purposes only, we do not claim to be experts in FCC law.

Why Does the FCC use Microvolts(µV) to Determine the Power Output (Field Strength) of a FM Transmitter?

Great question, the best source we've found to help explain that is at Ramsey Electronics.com. Below is a copy of what they say:

The new FCC Part 15 Rules specify a maximum "Field Strength" of your transmitted signal. Since it is unlikely that you have the equipment to carry out accurate field strength measurements in microvolts, it is useful to understand at least the theory of field strength so that you can understand both what you can expect from such transmitters, and what limits the FCC intends. Previous limits on nonlicensed FM-broadcast band devices were defined as a maximum field strength of 40µV per meter measured at a distance of 15 meters.

The June 1989 revised rule specifies a maximum of 250 µV per meter, but measured at 3 meters from your antenna. The term, "250µV per meter" means that an accurate field-strength meter with a calibrated and scaled 1-meter antenna may indicate a maximum signal field strength of 250µV (In contrast, non-licensed operation from 26.96 to 27.28 MHz, your standard CB walkie-talkie, is limited to a field strength of 10,000 µV per meter at 3 meters).

In all cases, the field strength of a signal decreases in direct proportion to the distance away from the antenna. Power decreases by the square of distance: for every doubling in distance, the signal power is quartered, but the field strength voltage is only halved. Using this theory, we can construct a simple chart to show the maximum permitted performance of a non-licensed FM band transmitter. The theoretical figures assume a simple 1 meter receiving antenna in all cases and do not take into consideration that reception can be greatly enhanced with larger, multi-element antennas and preamplifiers on the receiver. In the following chart, the field strength (theoretical minimum) gets stronger as you move from the edge of these circular boundaries toward the antenna:

Distance From Transmitter Antenna

METERS
FEET
FIELD STRENGTH (µV)
TOTAL AREA RECEIVED

3
10
250
314 FT

6
20
125
1256 FT

12
39
63
4800 FT

24
78
31
19113 FT

48
157
15
1.8 ACRES

96
315
7.5
7.2 ACRES

192
630
3.8
28.6 ACRES

384
1260
1.9
11.4 ACRES

768
2520
.95
458 ACRES

1536
5036
.5
1830 ACRES

This "exercise in meters and microvolts" demonstrates that the FCC clearly intends to limit the theoretical range of non-licensed devices operating in this band. It also shows the potential for causing interference at a home down the street from you. But it also shows that you can legally put out quite a good signal over wider areas than you might have imagined.

For other kinds of radio services, the FCC restricts such factors as transmitter power or antenna height, which cannot really limit the possible "range" of a transmission under good conditions. By restricting the maximum field strength at a specific distance from your antenna, the FCC clearly plans for your signal to "die out" at a specific distance from your antenna, no matter what kind of transmitter power or antenna you are using. On the other hand, the FCC standards do make it legal and possible for you to broadcast on a school campus, campground or local neighborhood, as long as you remain within the field strength limitations and do not cause interference to broadcast reception.

What Are the Terms of the Full Replacement Coverage?

Please visit our Warranty Terms page for more details.

I’m Still Not Sure What Else To Do, Who Can I Call?

Feel free to call our technical help line at (877) 203-5852 we will be happy to assist you in fixing the problem or feel free to email us.

Warranty Terms & Conditions

Villa FM Transmitter® warrants that its products shall be free from defects in materials or workmanship, with the exceptions stated below. This warranty starts from the date of purchase and runs for the timeframe selected at the time of purchase (i.e. a 1-year, 2-year or 3-year warranty).

Villa FM Transmitter® will, at its option, repair or replace any product that proves to be defective in material or workmanship. If your product is no longer being manufactured, or is out of stock, at its option, Villa FM Transmitter® may replace your product with a similar or better product.

This warranty DOES cover for 1 (one) time any defect, malfunction or failure that occurs as a result of accident (i.e. unintentional damage). However, the 30-day refund policy does become immediately null and void.

This warranty DOES NOT cover any defect, malfunction or failure that occurs as a result of: abuse; misuse; alteration; modification; failure to follow the product directions; or use with improper, unintended or faulty equipment. Further, removing any warranty labels; opening up the unit; or removing any pieces from the product will immediately render your warranty null and void. This warranty also does not cover any losses from theft or misplacing the product.

IF ANY OF THE EVENTS STATED ABOVE DO OCCUR, THE 30-DAY REFUND POLICY BECOMES IMMEDIATELY NULL AND VOID.

Villa FM Transmitter® is not responsible for special, incidental, or consequential damages from any breach of warranty, or any other legal theory, including but not limited to, lost profits, downtime, goodwill, damage to or reprogramming or reproducing, any program or data stored in or used with Villa FM Transmitter® products.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or exclusion of implied warranties, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.

To get a covered product repaired or replaced, you must contact Villa FM Transmitter® during the warranty period please call (877) 203-5852 and follow the promts to the tech support line.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Return within 5 days of the RMA being issued to avoid delays or the item being refused delivery.
You should insure the shipment with the appropriate amount since you are responsible for the product until it arrives at Villa FM Transmitter®.
Return shipments will be at the customer’s expense; we also do not refund shipping fees you originally paid when purchasing.
Please also include your purchase invoice with proof of insurance
Remember, NO RMA = NO SERVICE. If we don't know who sent the item we won’t know who to send a replacement to.

These stated warranties and remedies do not extend to any other products used with this product. No Villa FM Transmitter® dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.

THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.