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Its a rediculous law, waht would be the point in a pirate radio station with the catchment area of a small garden pond. When Airport was released in the late 90’s the french government tried to ban it but that was overturned because of demand for it. ~We can only hope that holds true for iTrip also, Bot unfortunatly i doubt it.

Dave M · 6 years, 6 months ago

The IPOD is a great technology. The ITRIP is it’s natural partner. Many of us don’t have cassette player in our cars. The ITRIP is the only solution.
This is a stupid law. Stupid laws bring the law into disrepute. The wireless telegraqphy act was designed for the 1940’s. Tell the government to wake up it is now the 3rd millenium.

Michael Gutmann · 6 years, 5 months ago

haha, he said kibosh! XD

travis · www · 6 years, 4 months ago

I’ve just got an iPOD and thought that the iTRIP would be just what I’m looking for the car - but nope - once again ridiculous and pointless outdtated laws have put an end to that.

Paul · 6 years, 4 months ago

Can they they track you if you have one? if not just get one who will know.
mann electronics have them in stock now.

sk · 6 years, 3 months ago

I bought one from SputnikShop in London.

trigger · www · 6 years, 3 months ago

live life on the edge - who is gonna track u down with an iTrip?? I doubt the Law would ever notice anyone broadcasting with the iTrip unless they lived next door! I am going to get one asap so i can listen to my iPod on my shower radio. i would be very surprised if my ass i hauled up in court over this.

jack · www · 6 years, 3 months ago

I did not know there was all this problem with the itrip just got one off of the website on griffen and it did not seem to be a problem to send me one - hopefully the order will go through and if they wanna lock me up for doin my own private radio station in my car - let em!

Brian McCafferty · 6 years, 3 months ago

Just bought one myself, awaiting delivery. Things like crappy English law make you want to live abroad!
Goddamn money-hungry government, that’s what I say. They take enough tax from us as it is... at least let us use the AIR!

Syx · 6 years, 2 months ago

where did you buy yours from?

jonny · 6 years, 2 months ago

I got one from the States - it’s great, but a pain in the a**e to tune when the signal gets weak.

It’s not quite the great white hope for iPod in-car entertainment that I thought it would be.

Does anyone know a decent free frequency I would be safe switching the iTrip to without having to change it again five minutes later?

Roover · 6 years, 2 months ago

There is a local radio station that transmits from a mast next to my house. This is a relay for the main transmitter a few miles away re-broadcasting via a tuner the signal from that main site. If I choose to broadcast my i-trip on that particular frequency I have effectively stolen half their output. Serves them right for being so cheap. How many others do this, makes a joke of the regulation in the uk.

Simon
Alton, Hants

Simon Hardwick · 6 years, 2 months ago

I myself have an iTrip, and even though the catchment is very weak, a few metres at best, I am curious to know if the people responsible for tracking down pirate stations are able to locate iTrip users. I really dont care if its illegal, however I’d rather not have coppers at my door demanding I hand it over.

Andy

Andy C · 6 years, 2 months ago

If you have a spare input to your car stereo - e.g. a bootloading cd etc - It is really easy to just get a male to male jack lead and a connection (aux) put in on you car stereo . Then just change to this function on your stereo and plug your IPOD in.. some stereo’s even come with a phono aux on the front panel...

Neil · 6 years, 2 months ago

so how do i get a frekin licence to go on air???

nameless · 6 years, 2 months ago

What the ****??? surely the government can’t be that stingy!!!

Geo · 6 years, 1 month ago

i had a look on the radio regulations web-site and it states that:

'Deregulation is an important aim for the Agency where this can be done without damage to licensed use. Much radio apparatus is therefore exempted from licensing. In particular:

" a wide range of short range devices. "

so isn’t the government just being difficult?

Geo · 6 years, 1 month ago

record an mp3, such as, this is the aliens, then broadcast it through the itrip on the way to work, if people are listening to the right station, then bugger does it freak them out

qstix · 6 years, 1 month ago

So whats the verdict? Is it worth getting an iTrip for my iPod or not???
Cheers.

Mocha · 6 years ago

i’m gonna buy one anyway, there are loads on ebay

ben · 6 years ago

I’ve just ordered my Itrip. Should arrive next week I hope. I don’t care about the Law really, 'cos I moved to Italy last year. I just hope the Law isn’t the same over here. If I still lived in the UK I’d use it anyway. They’re not gonna be able to track you unless they stick an aerial next to your car.

Rob.

rob · 6 years ago

I know it’d be a hassle, but couldn’t Griffin manufacture a UK specific version of the iTrip which works in a frequency range that’s not regulated within the UK?

Gazza · 6 years ago

Why are all you lot so stupid. Just buy one. They’re good and who cares if it is illegal, you can only broadcast a couple of meters, and any police man that sees you with it won’t give a sh*t.

craig · 6 years ago

Wot the flip am i doin here

Bassie · 6 years ago

Hey,

what are you guys on about. The original Car CD players worked by transmitting the sound signal over fm into your non-CD multichanger enabled head unit, what is the difference? They were legal, and so on that basis, so is this.

Just go and get one.

Rich · 6 years ago

what’s an iTrip?

santos@nme.com · 6 years ago

looks pretty easy to work out if you read the comments and use the link in the blog entry doesnt it santos?

gray · 6 years ago

You’re not wrong there Gray. Difficult to pick the links up on a b&w (monochrome) Mac Classic.

For the record. All the whingers banging on about the Government ban on this one. The 1949 Act is there to protect us all from tossers who don’t know what they’re doing illegally transmitting at a frequency that is already reserved or more importantly from affecting an emergency frequency.

In other words - how would you all like it if when your girlfriend or mother is being mugged in the street the police can’t find where she is because some twat is broadcasting Basement wotsit on their frequency. It’s hardly anything to do with Government revenue. It’s as much to do with artist copyright but originally, there to stop dickheads doing this kind of thing but with a much more powerful transmitter.

In the case of the iTrip - it is against the law. If you choose a responsible unused frequency (in your direct area) and do not affect anyone else then what’s the problem. But you are breaking the law.

TTFN

santos@nme.com · 6 years ago

iTrips are shite in London...they only have the power to broadcast about 2 cm...do NOT buy one...

Oli · www · 6 years ago

So, the answer is now here...I have been contemplating an I-trip for a while..
This has to be legal if they sell it in Selfridges?

http://www.microanvika.com/MAC/product.asp?TXT=INFO&PNO=BEL59355

It’s a car kit/charger device which also, mysteriously plays through your car radio, I’m getting one anyway, balls to the Radio Authority! If the output of the commercial radio stations was any good, then maybe we’d listen to it, but I don’t want to listen to feckin Dido every 20 minutes thank you very much...

Hells · 5 years, 12 months ago

Dose the i trip work...????????
im thinking about geting one..

glynny · www · 5 years, 11 months ago

bloody silly laws. Its illegal to listen to pirate radio stations haha!! They cant track u not with something that only transmits a tiny amount of power. There are too many pirates out there for the DTI to concentrate on!!

jesta · 5 years, 11 months ago

i have had an iTrip since the early days when it came out in mid-2003. the best frequency to use anywhere in the UK is 87.5MHz, it is the lowest setting on any radio reciever and i have yet to find a station which uses this band. :)

deanrh · 5 years, 11 months ago

"In other words - how would you all like it if when your girlfriend or mother is being mugged in the street the police can’t find where she is because some twat is broadcasting Basement wotsit on their frequency. It’s hardly anything to do with Government revenue. It’s as much to do with artist copyright but originally, there to stop dickheads doing this kind of thing but with a much more powerful transmitter. "

The Itrip doesn’t have the capability to broadcast on emergency frequencies and it’s so low power it is doubtful it would be able to do so anyway.

I do agree with the purpose of the 1949 act but it shouldn’t apply to the Itrip. If it does then it should also apply to *ALL* radio transmitters (car alarm remotes, R/C cars and planes, etc.) as all of these could potentially be used for the same purpose.

Rueger · 5 years, 10 months ago

Rueger,

Again you are quite right, but to think that Acts should be rewritten every two minutes to take account of poxy devices (which can’t travel 2 feet in my flat) that nobody other than geeks have head of is barmy. I think we’d all agree the act is out of time so just ignore it and let’s move on. Mine’s rubbish anyway and I won’t use it. So join me in a ritual throwing away.

Next subject: "noisy neighbours with deep bass in modern poorly fabricated flat developments"? or "why do normal people think that all white male IT workers are paedophiles?"

santos@nme.com · 5 years, 10 months ago

The points raised here are valid, however, what you must remember, is that if (and it is highly unlikely) you are court, what jury is going to enforce a law which is blatantly not disigned for, or applicable in this situation?

Phaeox · 5 years, 10 months ago

who cares

sdf · www · 5 years, 10 months ago

You’re right about itrips not working in london. I just bought a Podgear Cardock fm from sputnik shop which sound much better, and it charges the ipod as well.

Dave · 5 years, 10 months ago

Itrip doesnt do 87.5, the lowest is 87.9

nat · 5 years, 9 months ago

bought a itrip from sputnikshop and I’m not too impressed. Evertime you touch the sodding thing it goes haywire and this incredibly loud high pitched screaming noise comes out of the radio. Not pleasant. Incidentally, sputnikshop make you sign a waiver that puts them in the clear, as long as you promise not to break any laws with the thing. Which means not using it. So from a legal point of view they’re selling a white plastic cylinder that costs £30 and might make a good mantlepiece ornament. crazy.

Tom · 5 years, 9 months ago

iTrip can do 87.5.
You’ll need to download the package with additional frequencies (76.0 upwards) from the manufacturer’s site at:
http://griffintechnology.com/software/software_itrip.html

Florent · 5 years, 9 months ago

So what happens when they find you using it?

james · 5 years, 9 months ago

what happens? they kill you James! With huge rotating knives like they use in an abattoir (Bovine University). Then they ground your remains down with broken glass.

Hasn’t everything been said about this device now. I’d like to see a poll that asks which is the more catchy tune - that Beyonce number or the kraut rockers Rasmus. Personally, I’d go for Rasmus but you know, I wouldn’t put my houses on it.

Anyone?

PS If they catch you, they’ll fine you, and maybe even confiscate said device. If you’re concerned, don’t use it. Mine is absolute tosh - anyone want it?

santos · 5 years, 9 months ago

I’ll have it

Elliot · 5 years, 9 months ago

very bold Elliot - but I’m guessing that you already have one if you’re using this blog ;_) (yes, I do have a badly broken nose)

answers on a postcard to anyone who can provide a decent authenticated method...and someone gets this piece f crude technology for postage

as always,
santos@nme.com

santos · 5 years, 9 months ago

ok - some fascists have cancelled that mail account when i thought it was still live - post on here instead

santos · 5 years, 9 months ago

I actually dont have one im lookin in to the legallities and deciding if i care or not.

Elliot · 5 years, 9 months ago

I think it’s great - mine works all round the house and in the car - Stuff the law.

Jezza · 5 years, 9 months ago

I would love your itrip! Sadly though I think that I am unlikely to write anything creative or funny enough to warrant it.

Oh well. I’ll go cry over my tripless ipod

Shudderxx

shudderxx@yahoo.co.uk

Shudderxx · 5 years, 8 months ago

i really wouldnt worry.The police arn’t exactly going to pull someone over for broadcasting from their ipod are they.Even if the police were right next to you and tuned in to your broadcast how on earth would they know that you are broadcasting it!Ridiculous.

simon · 5 years, 8 months ago

Can anyone tell me definitively if the itrip works in London (whether on a frequency of 87.5 or other)?

Lisa · 5 years, 8 months ago

Any comparative data on which of the cigarette-lighter FM docks (e.g. Transpod, CarDock) produces the best-quality sound? I believe that these represent a better solution than the iTrip if you only intend to broadcast in your car...

empiricist · 5 years, 8 months ago

This isnt a place where I normally visit but all I can say is Santos.. you are one top guy...there’s not many like you around..will buy you a beer if you make it past the watford gap up north...its not grim or cold believe me!

Shudder

shudderxx · 5 years, 8 months ago

Not long had ipod so was wondering if they can be linked to other ipod users without loss of files etc? I mine is nearly fully loaded (20gig) but my mate would like some of my tunes on his itunes to then import to his ipod..is this possible and is there any danger of anything getting erased?

Cheers

shudder

shudderxx · 5 years, 8 months ago

iTrip for the iPod and iPod mini can be bought in the uk from
http://www.ipodessentials.co.uk/products/accessories/index.html

iPod:Essentials has trading for 4 years

http://www.ipodessentials.co.uk

iPod:Essentials · www · 5 years, 7 months ago

ADVERTS? Whatever next?

santos · 5 years, 7 months ago

I bought an itrip in singapore along with my ipod, but when I try to install it, I’m told that I need to install musicmatch jukebox 7. I cant find this software on either the ipod cd or the itrip installation cd. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Obviously everyone else has theirs working. Cheers

Jonny · 5 years, 6 months ago

How does the iTrip work with a car stereo if the aerial is outside the car. Won’t the car body act as a shield and prevent the iTrip transmitting its signal to the aerial?

Trev · 5 years, 5 months ago

I wasn’t very impressed with my iTrip either, but here’s how you can improve it -

cut the case open carefully along the seam. In mine there was a piece of stiff copper wire about 3" long - the aerial. This is way to short to work well. So solder on a piece of insulated wire a couple of feet long, and hey presto, you’ll get a much stronger signal.

For those concerned about the law, yes this does mean the police can catch you at maybe 100 feet away rather than 10 - if they can be bothered. And if you are using the FM radio band you definitely won’t be interfering with any important police, ambulance, fire or whatever comms.

Ed · 5 years, 4 months ago

Ed - how do you know that FM is not used anywhere in the world for emergency services (for you to say what you did) or are you omniscient?

interested · 5 years, 4 months ago

Interested - because FM would be a damn stupid system to use for emergency comms. And most of us are now changing over to Tetra (digital) radios anyways.

MrFilbert · 5 years, 2 months ago

can anyone tell me if their itrip worx in london? am in usa and thinking of getting one.

itriplondon · 5 years, 2 months ago

Can’t tell you that, but I was lead to believe that the licensing thing only applied if you were transmitting over 30 feet., or 8 feet, possibly. My memory is a bit crap. Either way, the iTrip definately doesn’t reach 30 feet, and I don’t know if it could manage 8, even.

I’m getting one anyway, so sod the bastards ;)

Dom · 5 years, 2 months ago

Lets face it.....we all break the law each day, be it driving at 35 MPH rather than 30 MPH, or burning the odd CD. Common sence needed here. I have just ordered one. My mother-in-law’s mouth broadcasts further than the Itrip will!!!

Lord Lucan · 5 years, 2 months ago

Just got my iTrip this weekend from Everything iPod, who had gone to great lengths to disclaim any responsibility with an inclosed letter and sticker on the box.

Thing itself works ok, although there is a bit of noise and I have to get the volume on my iPod spot on or it sounds awful. One slightly annoying thing is that when listening to a quiet track I can hear the interference from my accelerator and my brakes! If you are looking for s hot performance, buy a new stereo with aux inputs. If you just want to listen to some tunes on the road and can live with a little bit of crackle on the quiet bits, then the iTrip should leave you a happy bunny.

For the record frequencies reserved for emergency services are below 87.5, so be careful if you are downloading the "other" frequencies on the Griffin site.

On the legal side, as this would be a civil offense and as such would not result in any benefit to your local transport police’s performance stats, I wouldn’t expect to see any stories of iTrip users being pulled over any time soon. They will be too busy loading the speed cameras and pulling over blondes in sports cars!

Wee Boyo · 5 years, 2 months ago

Hmm just got my itrip from the states and i installled cd but the playlist has no freq in it at all....... all it has is the LED OFF help me plz

Dan

DanielLavender · 5 years, 2 months ago

Wee Boyo,

your problem with interference sounds like bad HT leads. Suggest you get your local garage to have a look.

General Easterly · 5 years, 2 months ago

word on the street has been that the itrip can actaully be used to obtain police frequencies and therefore gain an insight into the whereabouts and actions of the pigs.. i’d enjoy some expert help into knowing the depth of the truth behind this interesting speculation....

undercover · 5 years, 1 month ago

What would the point be in transmitting in frequencies below 87.5 any way? Does anyone have a car radio that can go below this frequency?

interceptor · 5 years, 1 month ago

santos if you still have your iTrip i will happily pay postage for it to get it off your hands !! other than that if you are interested in buying an iTrip sod the law u aint guna get caught !!

Charlie · 5 years, 1 month ago

I live in leeds, and they work fine up here (my mate has one). I ordered
mine off www.everythingipod.co.uk, its arriving tomorrow! cant wait! i couldnt give a toss about the stupid law, whats the point of banning them when they only transmit for 8ft at the most! what a load of crap!

sod_the_law · 5 years, 1 month ago

My iTrip arrived today! Its great. Works like a charm! I instantly set it to 87.5 (thanks deanrh!) and it works brilliantly. No noise and the quality is amazing, i would reccomend this to everyone. Anyone concerned by the law, i wouldnt worry. It is highly unlikley that they will find you out, after all it is only very short range. Even if they do find you, just deny it. They cant prove that it was YOU broadcasting.

ipod_mad · 5 years, 1 month ago

mine has stopped working

enid · 5 years, 1 month ago

whats happend?

ipod_mad · 5 years, 1 month ago

Sorry guys – I think your messages are better served in a forum elsewhere.

Phil · www · 5 years ago