Not for tuning around, stick with a single frequency
348428
I will echo what another reviewer said, this antenna is extremely narrow band. To operate on lower bands you will need to tune the antenna to your desired frequency using an antenna analyzer. Once you have some frequencies picked out, mark the antenna shaft with a permanent marker so you can re-tune quickly.

The bandwidth on 80 meters is extremely narrow (the only band I tested so far), with SWR rising sharply on either side of the resonant frequency.

I think this antenna would work well for portable use on a narrow band digital mode like PSK31 where you aren't tuning all around the band hunting for contacts. If you already know what frequency you'll be using and don't plan to change often, then it's  a reasonable compromise vs. the cost of a well made screwdriver antenna or an antenna tuner.

Even with a tuner I suspect you could quickly exceed the maximum mismatch the tuner can handle as you tune away from the resonant frequency.

I tested mine mounted to a chain link fence which acted as a makeshift counterpoise. The SWR dipped to about 1.3:1 on the 80 meters band. I haven't tried it mobile, but I have a jeep and they are notoriously problematic for mobile installations anyway.
847541
If you're looking for an entry level turntable, have a lo-fi sound system and aren't picky about not hearing any low frequencies during playback, go for it. But if you like hearing the full spectrum of sound available to the human ear keep looking. Based on the reviews I read I figured there HAD to be something wrong with my subwoofer connection since nothing was coming out of it. But no, in doing some A/B testing with a more sophisticated setup in another part of the house, it appears that the built in preamp in the this turntable is just not good. I plugged the AT-LP60 into a $200 preamp on the phono setting and it sounded SO much better, but when using it in a modern audio setup with the line out setting it's thin, lacks appropriate gain and any significant low frequency output. I'd rather spend two or three times as much and get a decent built in preamp stage that provides adequate output.
1330838
I am using the rocketFM to broadcast MP3 from my laptop to the tuner in the living room. Although the distance is about 10ft and there are no obstacles in between, there is some sort of interference mainly on high notes. I am not a quality freak and was just looking for something that would give a decent sound quality, but this is not it.
220637
I purchased this item because my BlueAnt Supertooth Light Bluetooth broke down after less than 4 months use and instead of fighting with the manufacturer I decided to replace the unit entirely. The item shipped on time and I received it a few days earlier than anticipated. However, when I tried to use it the next day, I discovered that finding a clear/quiet frequency in Los Angeles County was not an easy task. Between major broadcaster and smaller local stations, there are barely any clear stations to use with a unit such as this. I have had to switch frequencies about 5 times during a 45-minute drive.

Another problem stems from the fact that the unit does not have a memory recall function.  After finding a couple of relative quite frequencies, and storing them in preset stations in my radio, the unit falls short in its intended use to keep drivers hands on the steering wheel. When switching between the frequencies you have to hold down the up or down buttons, and keep an eye on the display as to not miss it. Channel recall function would have been very useful in those situations and would have provided a safer unit

As to the audio quality, although I can hear the my caller quite loud, thanks to my speakers, I have been told that the I sound too far away from the microphone and at times I have to speak very loud to be heard clearly. Also, I am told that there is a background noise (correlating with the static/noise I pick up from other FM Broadcasters).

Finally, when I purchased this unit, with anticipation of using its mp3 player function in my car.  After a couple of days try, I have given up. Again, the interference from radio stations in and around LA County destroys the signal quality (a lot of hissing noise as well as audio bleeds from those stations).  Right now this unit is only to keep me compliant with CA laws. I won't recommend this for anything else.
2190854
Tuning is finikey and hard to get right.  The radio is also fairly quiet, we had to turn it max volume at the drive in to make it loud enough
1440727
To be sure, this little radio has great sound. If it's your intention to use it for playback from your iPod, it's a great choice. It's a really nice looking radio and has great sound at all volumes.
The only major problem with the radio is the tuner. This is the issue that makes me yell and scream at the radio when I'm trying to listen to the news. It simply cannot keep a station tuned in for more than 30 seconds. I'll dial up an FM station, the light that measures signal strength will be beaming bright, and within a minute, the station is gone. The tuning knob is so sensitive that fine tuning is all but impossible. I'll literally touch the dial (not turn, but touch) and it'll alter the frequency. Buy it for the great sound, but NPR listeners beware... low frequency FM stations just don't stay tuned it.
4221023
Try this Hz tuning, which I calculated based on James Taylor's method of tuning his Olson acoustics:

E: 81.8-9 lean towards 8
A: 109.3-4 lean towards 4
D: 146.1-2 lean towards 2
G: 195.5-6 lean towards 6
B: 246.0-1 lean towards 1
E: 329.0-1 lean towards 1

I find it to be a nice balance.  Hope you enjoy.
2665043
I'm giving this 2 stars because it is difficult to find a free FM channel to pair with. This is not a problem if you stay in the same area all the time. Once you find a good channel, you keep it forever. However, if you drive long distances you are constantly having to find new FM stations. This part of the device is not good at all.

The FlexSmart has a button you push that scans for available channels. Problem #1, it finds even numbered channels along with odd numbered channels. My car's FM radio doesn't tune to even numbered channels. (i.e. 100.4, 101.2.) So all those even channels are wasted time and you just have to push the scan button again. Problem #2, once it finds a channel, you tune your FM radio to it, then turn off your FlexSmart to see if that channel is truly free. Most of the time there is music playing on it.

The next Bluetooth FM transmitter I buy will have the ability to tune to any channel you like. In other words, you would use the car FM to find a free channel, then tune the Bluetooth to match the car. Not the other way around, as in the FlexSMART.

Other than this annoyance, the device works fine. I like that it auto-plays the phone when you first start the car. You just pick up where you left off. I like the USB charging cable, so you can charge your phone while playing it.
1693703
Bought it as an upgrade from built-in phono stage in my preamp. JD9 kept picking up local NPR station.  All cables were shielded, current not reversed and components moved away from one another. I gave it an honest try but had to return it. i am not an audio engineer just want to listen to beautiful music without hum. Going to try Project Phono Box RS next.
1411467
indecipherable User Interface.
It took me almost ten minutes to tune into the station I want. (Im lucky I only want the one station; I don't want to try to tune it again.)

Once tuned it won't lock onto a station clearly. There are regular waves of static.
2830023
These things sound fantastic! Unfortunately, the latency these have make them unusable for a musician for jamming or recording. The latency is almost bearable in the "enhancement" modes, but the built in limiter is un-adjustable and prohibits any usable volume no matter how strong of a signal you feed it. In the normal mode, volume is sufficient but the latency is even worse. I wouldn't even want to watch tv with them.
3343243
My issue was the fact that I have no choice in selection in rooms which I can use with my musical equipment.. I have Yamaha, Rhoades, Roland & Peavey mixers,amplifiers and keyboards with terrible interference being introduced by aquariums in another room on the same circuit. I didn't think anything would help short of some expensive electrical re-wiring. After installing the Furman PL-8C the interference has been cut by about 50-75% which is a huge difference and more than I expected. It's not perfect but at least it's acceptable to the point I can practice without  any distraction. Who knows, I may now look at investing in a higher end unit since I now know it may just make a difference.
1374448
Cheap. And just not good enough. No possibility to set stations. Tuning is a nightmare... Run away from this!
3511848
I was just about to write a negative review, but I googled to see if I was doing something wrong-I too was having terrible sound and bad 'radio reception'- lots of static that ruined the music, that is, when it actually connected which it didn't consistently. Very difficult to find some troubleshooting suggestions, so I was boxing it up when the picture on the box showed the volume knob would also change the FM frequency.  The directions in the box are minimal at best, and the directions only indicate the knob was a volume control. There is also no 'troubleshooting' ideas in the box.  I was able to find a fm frequency on my radio that had no station broadcasting, and very little static, so I tuned the device to that frequency, and voila! Fairly clear and consistent signal and sound!  Now I may search more for an even better frequency, and I imagine if you travel, you will have to keep changing that frequency in case a station nearby is using it, but haven't tested that yet.  It is not perfect, by a long shot, but better than regular radio stations, and since my XM service ended, is a nice alternative for the cost of this device....
4692550
I like the accuracy of the tuner, and it "hears" my acoustic guitar quite well if I put it on the music stand so that it's angled toward me.  As a metronome, however, it leaves much to be desired:  (1) the volume is not adjustable and I consider it not loud enough, (2) it makes a cheesy electronic chirp instead of a mechanical-sounding knock as some of the electronic metronomes can, and (3) the rhythm is "dotted," i.e., it puts a milder electronic chirp in between the "main chirps" and there's no way to turn it off (but this can be somewhat remedied by setting it to 1-4 time).
2328515
dissapointing perfomance, no highs , no bass,  poor middles,  low output
128922
Got it to work, but in my case I really had to fine tune the frequency with the screw. 1-2 degrees of and it wouldn't work. So a lot of patience required.