Best FM radio hardware results? - Page 3

L-U-R-C-H · 02-16-2008, 08:50 AM

Nice! I currently use the Radio Xtreme unit and to be honest...it sucks. It hardly picks up a radio signal anywhere and when it does, it's fuzzy. I just hope that after installing this HD Radio, it will sound just as good as if I had a stereo head unit. That and pick up signals just as good too...

kickercivic1 · 02-16-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by stroths

The cable Mitch sells replaces the LCD button panel that comes with the HD tuner. This allows the unit to plug into your serial port and lets your computer control it. Sound is run from the stereo RCA jacks to the line in on your soundcard.

Regarding the antenna, the unit acts as a passthrough. It has an antenna in and antenna out to go to your stereo. Considering this runs off your car's stock antenna, it will probably get the best reception possible.

You are correct receotion is great, but i dont think CF supports it.

veetid · 03-12-2008, 09:18 PM

actually been working on the HD Radio support in the last couple of days... should have this working soon...

david

WuNgUn · 03-24-2008, 03:20 PM

David...
I'm looking for a FM solution. (Still no RadioShark support?) Which hardware are you thinking about supporting so I can do some shopping!?

veetid · 03-24-2008, 10:56 PM

the HQCT works well, also the RadioXtreme...

I don't have a RadioShark, but as soon as this release comes out it should not be that hard to add, I have made a note to finally look into this...

david

WuNgUn · 03-25-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by veetid

the HQCT works well, also the RadioXtreme...

I don't have a RadioShark, but as soon as this release comes out it should not be that hard to add, I have made a note to finally look into this...

david

If no one else is looking for this support, then don't waste your time. I'll go the HD Radio route, as I heard your working on that. Thanks for the reply!

veetid · 03-25-2008, 05:45 PM

HD Radio will be in the next release...

david

WuNgUn · 03-25-2008, 05:46 PM

Awaiting anxiously!
Keep up the great work Dave!

polo6979 · 04-10-2008, 11:20 AM

Is there an update on this?

Lithoss · 04-21-2008, 06:59 AM

Every FM tuner i've tried has been pathetic. I think its just my car though, i have a powered antenna.
This includes the visteon/directed HD tuner as well... its sitting in a box in the corner of my room because it was so crappy.

it works fine in my house though, i should hook it up.

Also one thing i've noticed about HD radios is that unless you live in an area where the stations have actually made an effort to make QUALITY broadcasts, the HD signal will be delayed from regular analog signals.... so when you lose reception (which happened a lot for me) the music would jump ahead and back 5 seconds every 10 seconds. it was aggrivating as crap.

mitchjs · 04-22-2008, 11:27 PM

lithoss, you might have a bad antenna

power antennas after a few years, do go bad
poor connection from the mast back to the wire (without getting technical)

and 2006 isnt that old... but a good test is AM
with the car NOT moving, but running, tune a strong am station
then.. with something insulated from your body, tapp and wiggle the antenna
any noise on the AM channel?

if there is noise, before u tap, with the engine running, compare it to engine off
engines generate alot of RF
and can get right into the tuner

mitch

mitchjs · 04-22-2008, 11:29 PM

oh, one more thing, switch back to factory radio if u can
if that tuner is solid... it would also rule out antenna
now im also assuming ur power antenna is a full (aprox 30" tall) one
not some electronic antenna, like vw's

mitch

mitchjs · 04-22-2008, 11:31 PM

is that little bump on you roof the antenna?

if so... the factory radio will give you best results
if the electronics are outside the factory radio, make sure they are powered on
else your reception will be *****
if the electronics for the antenna are inside the factory radio,well then keep the factory radio is the only answer

mitch

mitchjs · 04-22-2008, 11:58 PM

i just looked at a schematic to your car
there is an activation wire for the electronic amp mounted in the rear pillar

the wire is at the radio... white i think is the color (pin 14 at radio)
now for what ever reason, the visteon hd radio forgot the power ant lead
there is a mod to add it, i saw the post in the rr forum

mitch

Lithoss · 04-23-2008, 06:44 AM

yup i had the power antenna amp activation wire hooked up and everything. before i did that i got nothing.
the reception with my stock HU is perfect...
im thinking that there's some impedance on the antenna that only some HU's can match. i had an aftermarket HU and it was fine too.
i've tried the silabs usb and the visteon unit both in lots of configurations and setups in my car and nothing has worked 'well'.

but i have XM working now and im happy with it. i was just sharing some experience. thanks for all the suggestions though