Hmmm, a new Ipod Solution?

[RVB1019]

I know this is the Ipod section but I just had my Sirius sat. radio installed in my truck. They attached to the radio to car's stereo via the FM transmitter. I made several posting complaining about the poor reception I get with these things- until now.

They attached to the radio a small FM transmitter booster. The antenna from truck plugs into this unit and then the unit is plugged into the stereo. The booster itself is about the size of a pack of trident gum. According to the sales rep at Circuit City, it helps drown out all signals to the car stereo unit except the one being transmitted from the Sat. radio. Sure enough, the signal from the Sat radio is now very strong and clear.

Best part about the whole thing- the hardware was just 20 bucks! My thought is to dig out my Itrip (previously referred to by me as a piece of crap) and tune the ipod to the same station on the FM dial as the truck's stereo. In theory, this may be a cheaper solution than the 40 buck fix plugging directly into AUX of the head unit.

I will try it sometime this week. Stay tuned!

[messenger13]

Sounds to me like what was installed is a "WIRED FM Transmitter" . . . as opposed to a wireless (or RF) FM transmitter. Much like the way a VHS player gets piped into your TV on channel 3 or 4. Also, when wired FM transmitters detect a signal from the input, they actual turn OFF the signal from your vehicle's antenna. Hence the improved reception over a wireless FM transmitter that can't do that (i.e. the iTrip).

I find that the iTrip works great in certain situations. Mostly when you're parked. I was at a party and we turned on about 5 car stereos and I broadcasted to all of them with my iPod/iTrip. It was VERY cool. I also like the iTrip at the beach.

[RVB1019]

This is the item I found on their website. I gotta think this will improve the itrips performance.


Model#: 14110 Wired FM Modular Relay

Connects the FM Out signal from the PNP to the head unit FM antenna connection for better reception. Internal relay switches between SIRIUS operation when PNP is powered on, and AM/FM pass-through operation when PNP is powered off.

Price: $19.99
Discount: (Terms) -$2.00
Your Price: $17.99



Click to Enlarge +
Wired FM Modulator Relay

Model#: 14110 Wired FM Modular Relay

Connects the FM Out signal from the PNP to the head unit FM antenna connection for better reception. Internal relay switches between SIRIUS operation when PNP is powered on, and AM/FM pass-through operation when PNP is powered off.

[lhendrick]

I like the idea of using this for Sat radio input. if I understand it, this would feed the sat radio input into the FM radio. The advantage to me would be that the audio volume would be controlled by the radio's auto-volume compensator. I had previously fed the Sat radio into my Beahr intercomm, but I had noticed that the volume level is not adjustable while on the go, only by turning up the volume adjustment for that channel on the Baehr contol unit. For $20 bucks this seems like a solution.

I assume I must pull the side panel tupperware off to get to the radio antenna connector which I think is on the left side just nder the stingray??

Hendrick, 2005 LT
Baehr, Sirius Sportster,Valentine 1, BMW NAV II, Ipod (iceLink) and Treo cellphone.

[messenger13]

I assume I must pull the side panel tupperware off to get to the radio antenna connector which I think is on the left side just nder the stingray??That is correct.

[RVB1019]

That is correct.

I just compared my ipod with this jack. Joe, as always, was correct- the FM transmitter is wired directly into the Sirius radio. It blocks out all signals except the one from the Sirius unit.

There is a jack in the unit just above where the cassette adapter plugs in.
If the headphone/cassette adaptor is 3mm, then this is 2 mm. Just a smidge smaller. The jack to this new unit is too small to fit into the ipod.

On a good note, my sound from the Sat. radio is great! I occasionally get some static but it's not horrible. The cassette adaptor is perfect. When I have this installed on the LT, I'm going to get it hardwired into the Aux. input.

Still searching for a better ipod interface. Maybe at the STC, Joe will demo his Ijet set up for me.

[meese]

I assume I must pull the side panel tupperware off to get to the radio antenna connector which I think is on the left side just under the stingray??Correct. here are a couple of pics:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/7/8/stingray.jpg

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/7/8/radio_plugs.jpg

[airborneod]

I just compared my ipod with this jack. Joe, as always, was correct- the FM transmitter is wired directly into the Sirius radio. It blocks out all signals except the one from the Sirius unit.

There is a jack in the unit just above where the cassette adapter plugs in.
If the headphone/cassette adaptor is 3mm, then this is 2 mm. Just a smidge smaller. The jack to this new unit is too small to fit into the ipod.

On a good note, my sound from the Sat. radio is great! I occasionally get some static but it's not horrible. The cassette adaptor is perfect. When I have this installed on the LT, I'm going to get it hardwired into the Aux. input.

Still searching for a better ipod interface. Maybe at the STC, Joe will demo his Ijet set up for me.

Could the jack be changed out for a mimi stereo plug for the IPOD??

[messenger13]

Could the jack be changed out for a mimi stereo plug for the IPOD??Yes....RadioShack carries 2.5 to 3.5mm adapters (or 3.5 to 2.5mm). Both plugs/jacks have the same function, just different sizes. Aren't "standards" great?!?! :(

[RVB1019]

Yes....RadioShack carries 2.5 to 3.5mm adapters (or 3.5 to 2.5mm). Both plugs/jacks have the same function, just different sizes. Aren't "standards" great?!?! :(


This would then let the rider switch between the two.

To be honest, since I got the Sat. Radio, I rarely use my ipod. With all of the stations, you could simply press a button to suit your mood. You want to rock out to 90's music, Classic Rewind. You want to get your funk, Blues station. Driving in the the south, you have several choices- new country or roadhouse.

If I get the radio installed on the LT, I won't need the ipod anymore.

This should be a new poll- Satellite Radio or Ipod?

[pilot2949]

Apparently the hystrionics built into the amplitude recording the omh's are proprietary and Apple's iPod is the only exception. What I did was split the amperage module on the FM transmitter using an anisotropic prism. Once I segregated the proper wavelength I boosted its amperage, re-routed it through the AUX using 3.5mm optic cable with hemispheric diode capacitors and it seems to work fine. One final note however...DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME. You must go through an authorized dealer to maintain warrantee.

[meese]

You had me for about half of the first sentence . . . :)