Are there RCA Plugs or an additonal input plug on the RF system?

drakethib · 07-23-2004, 06:59 PM

I am about to connect my Roady to the RF system (yeah I know it is a POS) and I was wondering if there are any additonal input lines behind the head unit or anywhere else for that matter.

I was hoping that someone would know this before I start tearing the dashboard out just to look.

Thanks

eakes · 07-23-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakethib

I am about to connect my Roady to the RF system (yeah I know it is a POS) and I was wondering if there are any additonal input lines behind the head unit or anywhere else for that matter.

I was hoping that someone would know this before I start tearing the dashboard out just to look.

Thanks

The AUX input on the dash is it, there is nothing behind the dash or on the headunit to plug an external device into.
You will find the AUX input requires a lot of drive - to get a decent listening level you will have to turn the audio control to a high level. (don't switch from AUX to CD without first turning down the audio if you value your ears).

Trying to connect through the FM tuner (FM modulator for the Roady) is a losing proposition. The RF FM tuner is extremely noisy and has a very poor frequency response - no low frequencies.

You have a couple of options: Protect your sanity and replace the RF headunit with a quality aftermarket one. Or you can add a line amp to the AUX input to increase the level - once you do that you will want to replace the RF external amp (the stock one is wwwaaaay under powered). Then it's time to replace the speakers.

Have fun!!

bestatchess · 07-23-2004, 07:55 PM

Here is a photo of the back of the RF head unit:

http://www.titantalk.com/attachment....achmentid=1174

As you can see, it has no RCA inputs.

A couple of possibilities include a radio frequency modulator connection to the antenna or connect to the AUX jack or the AUX cable behind the dash.

Kronos · 07-23-2004, 09:26 PM

If you have the rear seat DVD option there are A/V inputs on that unit that might help.

Kronos

drakethib · 07-23-2004, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Here is a photo of the back of the RF head unit:

http://www.titantalk.com/attachment....achmentid=1174

As you can see, it has no RCA inputs.

A couple of possibilities include a radio frequency modulator connection to the antenna or connect to the AUX jack or the AUX cable behind the dash.

Rf Modulator to the connection of the antenna???

IS that hard to do? I have about zero tech knowledge of radios.

I really dont care to start changing out the stereo system as while not the best system in the world it serves my needs.

Truthfullly the Roady 2 has the "built in transmitter" and it works pretty good but everyone keeps tellimg me I am missing out on some great sound.

bestatchess · 07-23-2004, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakethib

Rf Modulator to the connection of the antenna???

IS that hard to do? I have about zero tech knowledge of radios.

I really dont care to start changing out the stereo system as while not the best system in the world it serves my needs.

Truthfullly the Roady 2 has the "built in transmitter" and it works pretty good but everyone keeps tellimg me I am missing out on some great sound.

I would take eakes advice and go with the AUX for the sound quality. SammySandbag posted a thread with pics about installing a PIE amp behind the center dash cover to increase the AUX level. I have one, but haven't installed it yet. Here is the thread:

Hardwired MP3 Player

I don't know anything about the Roady, but I gather it transmits to a particular frequency on the FM band. The problem with that is the RF FM reception is not good. There are direct wire RF modulators such as:

http://www.davidnavone.com/a2000/N724b.jpg

That I would guess would be a bit better than the Roady's built in xmitter. But if you are going to go to all that trouble, you might as well just wire to the AUX.

eakes · 07-23-2004, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakethib

Rf Modulator to the connection of the antenna???

IS that hard to do? I have about zero tech knowledge of radios.

I really dont care to start changing out the stereo system as while not the best system in the world it serves my needs.

Truthfullly the Roady 2 has the "built in transmitter" and it works pretty good but everyone keeps tellimg me I am missing out on some great sound.

I have an XM commander satellite receiver. I first connected to the RF head unit using its built-in FM modulator (connected directly to the HU antenna lead-in). At best the sound quality was lousy. Next, I connected using the AUX input, sound was reasonable but had to crank the volume knob up to get a reasonable listening level.

My solution was to replace the RF headunit with a Blaupunkt, bypassing the external amp. Sound was much better, I now have a 10 disc CD changer and a real aux input for the satellite radio. Last Saturday I replaced the rear door speakers (LE, KC) with 6x9s. sound is much, much better.

TriKKy · 07-24-2004, 06:29 AM

I guess I can put my ? here.

I am going to add my old radio into the car somewhere. It is a Pioneer MP3 player that carries its own 200watts. Putting this in should require no PIE amp since it already has it correct? Also, I am going to use this unit for my radio purposes....kill 2 birds with one stone. Will this work?

bestatchess · 07-24-2004, 07:42 AM

I guess you are talking about wiring the output of the Pioneer into the AUX jack cable behind the dash, so you can select the Pioneer by selecting AUX on the stock HU? Maybe the output level of the Pioneer is too high so you might need an LOC, I'm not sure. Or does the Pioneer have a low level pre-amp or line out?

There is quite a bit of space under the stock HU behind the central dash cover, although that would probably require a customized dash cover and mounting bracket.

TriKKy · 07-24-2004, 08:17 AM

Yeah, Im talking about running it into the AUX. I was thinking of two things actually. I could either just mount it in center armrest or in the glove box. It has a detachable face which I can put up in the overhead console, or just leave on it wherever I put it. To be honest I don't know if LOC would be needed...I guess it's one of those plug-it-in-and-see things being very careful heh.

llajumpvid · 07-24-2004, 12:47 PM

I don't know if the Titan is the same but the Armada is prewired for DVD. I assume it's the same as I think we both have the clarion HU. Anyway if you hold down the Rear AV button it should say no DVD..if you don't have the factory DVD. I just tied my aftermarket into the factory harness and when I push the Rear AV it says DVD just like if it had the factory DVD. I can now get the dvd to the rear controls and use the built in IR transmitter.

The harness is hidden but easy to get to. Take the console part from around the shifter off. Look directly behind the shifter at the bottom of the dash. There are 4 little plastic rivets sticking up. The two on the left is the DVD harness that has the audio and video wiring. Pop the rivets out and you can get to the harness easily without messing with the radio control panel.

If you take the FES Enable and Audio on wires and splice them together you get the HU to think there is the factory DVD on. I got some scotchlok tap/quick release taps and wired my RCA's from the a PIE line amp to the left/right audio wires. Yes this audio is also weak like the AUX jack so you need an amp for it as well.