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).