Travel Technology - Are FM receivers (in MP3 players) allowed on flights?

Well the title says it. I'm having a little doubts. My current MP3 player is only a 64 MB one, and that's a little on the low side for an 8 hour flight.

It seems that the new players almost all have FM receivers built in. But the airlines always make a big deal out of telling you that anything operationg with an antenna is prohibited. But is that only for transmitters or does it also include receivers?

If an FM receiver is prohibited as well, that seriously limits my options as far as getting a new unit goes.

Anybody have a take on this?

If an FM receiver is prohibited as well, that seriously limits my options as far as getting a new unit goes.

Anybody have a take on this?Just don't turn the FM radio on during the flight and you'll be fine :)

Until some uptight flight attendant spots the "FM" print on the player :)

My logic tells me that the FM signal is there no matter what, so what difference does it make whether or not I receive them right!?

Of course it's all about airline rules.

The FAA rules say no but I often listen on my AM/FM for the same reason you do. Also to listen to the news and local weather.

MisterNice

My logic tells me that the FM signal is there no matter what, so what difference does it make whether or not I receive them right!?

Uh, yes, but the radio frequency oscillator that your FM radio contains in order to get down to the intermediate frequency for amplification isn't.

Until some uptight flight attendant spots the "FM" print on the player :)May I suggest putting some kind of a sticker over the spot where it says "FM" on the player? :)


My logic tells me that the FM signal is there no matter what, so what difference does it make whether or not I receive them right!?
There is a potential that the oscillator (also acting as a low-power transmitter), which is a part of the FM receiver, may cause interference to some of the navigational systems of the aircraft.

There is a potential that the oscillator (also acting as a low-power transmitter), which is a part of the FM receiver, may cause interference to some of the navigational systems of the aircraft.

See it's stuff like this I'm clueless about. Thanks for clearing that up
^


Well it's not like I can't get a player without FM radio though, though the options are a bit more limited.

Thanks, KVS, for pointing this out to ChrisDK - as an "uptight flight attendant" I could have said EXACTLY the same words to Chris and would have been accused of enforcing "just an airline rule."
Chris - did it ever occur to you that some rules are there for a good reason? That not every airline rule is for the personal hasslement of ChrisDK? :rolleyes:

Relax FoPAA... I didn't mean any "disrespect" towards airline attendants. I honestly did not know whether it was only transmitters that were prohibited or if it went for receivers as well.

I'm perfectly aware that the rules are there for a reason.

But I checked the KLM website it says "anything with an antenna". If you check the Lufthansa website is only mentions transmitters. So I really wanted to know if there were any clear rules before getting another unit. There's no sense in shelling out cash for something I will mainly use when flying if I'm told to switch it off cause it has a built in radio.

That's what I meant when I said "Of course it's all about airline rules". Good reason or not the airline rules is what goes on the plane and I'd never whine about it.... that's why I'm checking into it now before I spend any money.

When I said "uptight flight attendant" it was a joke... take it a such.