Good news if you like listening to music or podcasts on your iPod in your car and you’re in the UK:
Ofcom is legalising the use of FM transmitters that allow iPods and other MP3 players to play through car radios. The use of devices, such as Griffin’s “iTrip”, was banned in the UK as their transmissions can interfere with broadcasts by legal radio stations. However, the device and other similar accessories for MP3 players have been widely available online. Now certain FM transmitters, which can be tuned to spare frequencies, will be legal from 8 December. Ofcom will also remove the need for a licence to use Citizens’ Band radio.
Now I can legally use my iTrip!
Interesting re CB radio. I never knew you had to have a license for it in this country. But who uses CB radio these days?
Apparently truckers in the US still widely use it. Says Wikipedia.
Apart from that I’d guess farmers, hunters and people like that. Try getting mobile phone reception in some of the remoter parts of Scotland. Or to an extent even urban Swindon, I know of several spots in Old Town with very bad or occasionally even no reception.
True, Armin. CB had its mass-appeal origins and popularity in the US, not here.
I’m from a farming/hunting/forestry family and don’t know of many (any?) people that use CB. Lots do use short range walkie talkies.
In Yorkshire, Stuart? Not quite as remote as the bits of Scotland that Armin refers to, though ;)
Neville, these FM transmitters were legalised in Sweden from 1 Oct. Haven’t bought one yet, but I will :)
Thanks, Hans. I’ve heard similar laws in other European countries are being relaxed now as well.
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