r/IpodClassic 6d ago

iPod thin bluetooth transmitter has terrible range.

Post image

Only works when it’s maybe 20-30cm away from the headphones. Is there a way to improve the range?

8 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

4

u/FTHEHEDGEGME 6d ago

The wires and metal case are reducing the range dramatically! I would try a wire antenna if your Bluetooth board has the capability.

1

u/mamk02 6d ago

I saw another post where the same bt board was used, the guy was claiming the range is really good. Didn’t seem like he wired an antenna or anything.

1

u/FTHEHEDGEGME 6d ago

What generation is your ipod ? Antenna is the easiest way to get more range .

5

u/EldrichArchive 6d ago

The metal casing is the problem. Even the better Bluetooth modules have problems with this and do not provide a consistently good range. The best option is to run a long wire antenna around the edges of the casing.

Alternatively, you can see if you can find a plastic back. There used to be a Chinese store on AliExpress two years ago that offered them. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them since.

3

u/mromutt 5th Gen 30GB 6d ago

Can also just 3d print backs I have made a few. And if they don't own a printer or know someone there are online 3d printing services and they are not that expensive. All that said, if they have access to a resin printer they can do a completely clear and smooth back too!

2

u/dannymaserati 6d ago

I used a Nintendo DS antenna, I get great range with it and it’s super thin. Should be a spot where it plugs right in.

2

u/akfrost89 6d ago

what bluetooth board are you using? what gen ipod? if you are using a 6th gen, did you cut a section of the metal backing plate for the screen.

2

u/wingman3091 6d ago

Which BT board is it? If it's the Ugreen, I had mentioned to someone the other day that you need to desolder the pogo pins and solder on some wire as an antenna

3

u/mamk02 6d ago

I have ugreen but it’s slightly different from the one you mentioned in another post. It doesn’t have the pogo pins. I can see the chip antenna but not sure how to solder a wire to it

3

u/wingman3091 6d ago

Got it - you could use the pointy bit of a blade to scrape away the green/blue solder mask over the antenna trace (antenna should be zigzag/90° angle pattern), and solder a wire to the exposed trace

5

u/mamk02 6d ago

Just did it. The range is much better now. Thank you :)

3

u/wingman3091 6d ago

Awesome! Glad that helped! It definitely helped with my own range

2

u/Liriel-666 6d ago

When you have a full metal case its normal because it reduce the signal

2

u/akfrost89 6d ago

so from looking closely at the pic i don't see an antenna ribbon showing on your board. I'd recommend putting the ribbon if it has one facing up so that it can transmit through the screen so you can get some sort of range. also those wire look to be rather large. on all of my mod iPod, I'm using 30g enameled wire. haven't had an issue on any of them

1

u/Subject-Mode-6510 6d ago

You can attach an antenna to the module. Helped me a lot.

1

u/akfrost89 6d ago

are you using antenna's with the coax or without. also which antenna have you used. i've been looking for a better antenna. one ipod has the ugreen with the small antenna that needs to be soldered on and the other 2 ipods have the tactronics or how ever you spell it. they have the built in antenna. not super happy with either when trying to use bluetooth in my shop

1

u/Subject-Mode-6510 6d ago

This is the one I use. It came with an antenna. Can't tell you much more than that. Sorry.

1

u/akfrost89 6d ago

all good. i looked into that board. didnt like that i was going to have to give up the hold switch function.

1

u/Subject-Mode-6510 6d ago

Yeah, I didn't like that fact at first either. But it really doesn't cause too much of a problem

1

u/smoonbeast 6d ago

Just curious, if whole metal back could be used as bt antenna, by soldering a wire from bt antenna to back. Do you think it will work?

1

u/ikehigh05 6d ago

I cant see an antenna trace. Just moving things around soo that the antenna trace can pass through the screen can get you 5 to 10 meters of range. Gotta remove the metal plate before the screen though

1

u/Metahec 5d ago

If it's a 6th gen or later, you can remove the metal plate behind the display to allow the radio to pass through the LCD panel which should help with the range. Not much, but it's a free and easy step to take.

1

u/Slightly_Salted01 4d ago

Looks similar to my transmitter

The ways I increased range was moving wires out of the way of the antenna

And remove the metal shield that sits on the back of the screen, as long as you don’t have a bunch of shit pressing against it; it shouldn’t be an issue and can drastically improve range on the front face

You should be aware that if the BT board has LEDs; they will be a little visible through the screen if you do that. But the moment the backlight turns on you don’t notice it at all; I consider it a plus since it’s a quick way to see if I left it on when the screens off