USB FM RDS Solution with sofware - Page 22

lez · 07-07-2007, 04:43 PM

I see no reason why 100pf will perform any different in this application.

NiSlo · 07-08-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Lithoss

has anyone had any success with this for a powered antenna? my subaru has a powered antenna, just wanted to check to see if anyone has done this yet before i rip apart my silabs.

I've had no luck with my Subaru and the Silabs. Even after soldering the antenna jack onto the silabs it didn't work at all in the car. I figured there was something specific with my car that was stopping it form work. Perhaps the powered antenna is the problem.

I've had to put the radio on the backburner for a while before I broke the bloody thing.

If the antenna is powered, perhaps maybe there is a fuse somewhere to stop the powering and maybe allow it to work

lez · 07-08-2007, 07:07 PM

if you have a powered antenna and you remove power then you have a non working powered antenna..........

NiSlo · 07-08-2007, 07:13 PM

Makes sense.

P.S. wer'e are talking about a power amplified antenna and not an electric antenna (goes up when the car is on, down when it's off) aren't we?

Lithoss · 07-08-2007, 08:37 PM

Correct, power amplified antenna. I have no clue how they work, to be honest. Yes you can unpower it, theres a connection in the rear of the cd deck that powers it. When i first installed my cd player i forgot to hook that up and got crappy reception, but i did get SOME reception.

What do you mean it doesnt work at all NiSlo? Does it work at all with no antenna hooked up at all? It doesn't make sense that it wouldn't at all, even if bad reception. (i think i used 'at all' a few too many times)

NiSlo · 07-08-2007, 08:55 PM

It worked in the computer in the house and I got a few stations, but as soon as it went into the car I got nothing at all. I tried soldering the new connection to plug the car antenna in properly as others have done in this thread but I still got nothing.

All I could get in the car no matter what I tried was static

Lithoss · 07-08-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NiSlo

It worked in the computer in the house and I got a few stations, but as soon as it went into the car I got nothing at all. I tried soldering the new connection to plug the car antenna in properly as others have done in this thread but I still got nothing.

All I could get in the car no matter what I tried was static

Hmmm. I guess im gonna have to grab my gf's laptop and do some experimenting then.... this sucks, now i might have to wait for the mp3car HD radio to come out.......

NiSlo · 07-08-2007, 09:42 PM

Now that I know the antanna in the subie is powered, I might have another look. The amplifier might be changing the resistance of the antenna which the silabs doesn't like. I beleive the silabs is epexcting an antenna with 50 or 75ohm resistance. I cant remember which one at the moment.

Lithoss · 07-08-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NiSlo

Now that I know the antanna in the subie is powered, I might have another look. The amplifier might be changing the resistance of the antenna which the silabs doesn't like. I beleive the silabs is epexcting an antenna with 50 or 75ohm resistance. I cant remember which one at the moment.

Did you try the capacitor? I'm not sure what happens without it, i really need to look into how powered antenna's actually work, i dont have any experience with them. google here i come.

NiSlo · 07-08-2007, 11:02 PM

No I haven't it with a capacitor. I though that was only to prevent a 12v surge hitting the silabs, not to improve reception. For $1 part, it's worth a go I guess

rando · 07-12-2007, 11:42 AM

Per the schematic, there is already a DC filter at C1 (100pf) with D2 shunting transients.

Like a few of the others here, I was never able to achieve stable reception with the vehicle in motion. If anyone in SoCal has one of these devices integrated and working well (while driving), I'd love to see/hear it the next carpc meet up.

84RegalRider · 07-12-2007, 04:08 PM

Mine works pretty well while driving, only problem i have with it is the lag

Lithoss · 07-12-2007, 10:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rando

Per the schematic, there is already a DC filter at C1 (100pf) with D2 shunting transients.

Like a few of the others here, I was never able to achieve stable reception with the vehicle in motion. If anyone in SoCal has one of these devices integrated and working well (while driving), I'd love to see/hear it the next carpc meet up.

very true... but why are there two leads labeled antenna??

SmoL · 07-13-2007, 07:36 AM

pic?

Lithoss · 07-13-2007, 09:10 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SmoL

pic?

im referring to the schematic on silab's site.

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