Blackberry - radio reception
#1
Blackberry - radio reception
Guys, I've recently bought a blackberry and one of those FM tuners. It's working "ok" but at times it'll have a little static and have to deal with the loose wire and loose phone.
I'd like to do two things and need some advice. (I've got the physical mounting handled)
1) Is there a better way to wire this up inside the dash so I don't have that wire and power plug hanging everywhere?
2) Is there a direct plug in way to help reduce the static?
My plan at the moment is to hard wire the FM tuner into power and then just wrap the wire around the antenna wire. I'd think that would "work" and it would all be hidden. But.. is there a better way?
Rich
I'd like to do two things and need some advice. (I've got the physical mounting handled)
1) Is there a better way to wire this up inside the dash so I don't have that wire and power plug hanging everywhere?
2) Is there a direct plug in way to help reduce the static?
My plan at the moment is to hard wire the FM tuner into power and then just wrap the wire around the antenna wire. I'd think that would "work" and it would all be hidden. But.. is there a better way?
Rich
#2
Your antenna wire is a coaxial cable, which has a ground shield under the outside insulation. Very little signal, if any at all will be radiated from the
antenna wire. I suggest running your antenna wire into a splitter / matching network, and connect the wire from your FM tuner to it, along with the radio in your dash.
antenna wire. I suggest running your antenna wire into a splitter / matching network, and connect the wire from your FM tuner to it, along with the radio in your dash.
#5
Just did a live chat with crutchfield. They said they don't have anything and that I need to buy a new HU. Hum... between that "advice" and the fact that they were not paying attention to what I said makes me think...
So Bob. Can I somehow cut back the ground shield and wrap my FM modulator wire around it?
I'd think there has to be some sort of plug and play wire out there?
I know the 07 rangers had a plug in on the face of the radio. My 06 does'nt.
Rich
So Bob. Can I somehow cut back the ground shield and wrap my FM modulator wire around it?
I'd think there has to be some sort of plug and play wire out there?
I know the 07 rangers had a plug in on the face of the radio. My 06 does'nt.
Rich
#6
Hi Rich,
This is the closest thing I could find, a splitter with Motorola connectors on it:
http://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SIE%2DT268
It might be cheaper just to mount another antenna for your FM tuner.....
This is the closest thing I could find, a splitter with Motorola connectors on it:
http://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SIE%2DT268
It might be cheaper just to mount another antenna for your FM tuner.....
#7
#9
Hi Rich, I'll give your questions a shot:
1) No, if you cut back the shield on your present antenna, it will ruin it.
2) No, you don't need both a splitter, and an additional antenna. I think your best solution is to look for a FM antenna that attaches to your windshield (or rear window).
3) Yes, the type of connector on automotive antennas is called a Motorola connector, and they come in 2 sizes, standard, and miniature
Just curious about the FM tuner, doesn't your present HU have FM on it?
1) No, if you cut back the shield on your present antenna, it will ruin it.
2) No, you don't need both a splitter, and an additional antenna. I think your best solution is to look for a FM antenna that attaches to your windshield (or rear window).
3) Yes, the type of connector on automotive antennas is called a Motorola connector, and they come in 2 sizes, standard, and miniature
Just curious about the FM tuner, doesn't your present HU have FM on it?
#10
The backberry plays music. (8GB worth on mine) The FM modulator is a little radio transmitter. I tune the trucks radio to the station it's transmitting on (can set it to what ever I choose) and then over the trucks radio I can hear what's playing on the blackberry.
Also, when a phone call comes in, I just reach up and touch the answer button to talk on the phone. The blackberry automaticly turns off the music when the phone rings and the speakers in the truck become the phones speaker. It's completely hands free and I can hear them clear as a bell. They can hear me just fine too.
I just simply want what I have now to play music a little clearer (static at times) and I don't want to deal with a big 12v plug in and wire strewn about.
I've seen this done before. I just don't know how to wire this into a stock radio.
Also, when a phone call comes in, I just reach up and touch the answer button to talk on the phone. The blackberry automaticly turns off the music when the phone rings and the speakers in the truck become the phones speaker. It's completely hands free and I can hear them clear as a bell. They can hear me just fine too.
I just simply want what I have now to play music a little clearer (static at times) and I don't want to deal with a big 12v plug in and wire strewn about.
I've seen this done before. I just don't know how to wire this into a stock radio.
#12
I'm not sure.. but it very well might be!
Is that a motorola female connection on the box?
So does that thing require power? Or does it just dis-connect the antenna when a signal is put into it?
EDIT:
This sure looks like what I'm wanting. But it doesn't seem to have the three level (stereo?) headphone jack?
Is that a motorola female connection on the box?
So does that thing require power? Or does it just dis-connect the antenna when a signal is put into it?
EDIT:
This sure looks like what I'm wanting. But it doesn't seem to have the three level (stereo?) headphone jack?
#14
http://www.tss-radio.com/product_ins...oducts_id=4082
A sales guy at this place is plugging his blackberry into this and his car to find out if it works. If it does I told him I'd buy it from him.
A sales guy at this place is plugging his blackberry into this and his car to find out if it works. If it does I told him I'd buy it from him.
#15
I'm not sure.. but it very well might be!
Is that a motorola female connection on the box?
So does that thing require power? Or does it just dis-connect the antenna when a signal is put into it?
EDIT:
This sure looks like what I'm wanting. But it doesn't seem to have the three level (stereo?) headphone jack?
Is that a motorola female connection on the box?
So does that thing require power? Or does it just dis-connect the antenna when a signal is put into it?
EDIT:
This sure looks like what I'm wanting. But it doesn't seem to have the three level (stereo?) headphone jack?
Ok, now I understand what you want Rich! Your best bet is to do away with the FM transmitter! I'm sure your Blackberry has a headphone jack. Does your HU have a MP3 input on it? If it doesn't the best bet is to wire into the audio pre-amp, so you can take the audio signal from your Blackberry and use just the pre-amp, and output stage of your HU. If your HU doesn't have the MP3 input, if I had your HU, I could modify it for you.
#16
#17
if you have a cd changer input on the back of your radio you could use one of these.
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundsdsford.html
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundsdsford.html
Last edited by casfz1; 09-23-2008 at 04:16 PM.
#18
I'm not sure if it has a input on the back? That web page lists up to a 2005 ranger. ?
I've talked to several of these places online and it seems there is no off the shelf plug and play solution. So on Sat I'm going to just give wrapping the wire around the antenna wire a try. (while I have the radio out I'll take some pics of it) If I can't figure this out I'll think I'll take Bob up on his offer! (after we get back from vacation)
Thanks guys..
Rich
I've talked to several of these places online and it seems there is no off the shelf plug and play solution. So on Sat I'm going to just give wrapping the wire around the antenna wire a try. (while I have the radio out I'll take some pics of it) If I can't figure this out I'll think I'll take Bob up on his offer! (after we get back from vacation)
Thanks guys..
Rich
#19
#20
Well I made a hard mount for it today. Turned out decent IMO.
web page
Looks like I'm stuck with the FM tuner unless Bob is still willing to "hook me up"?
Rich
web page
Looks like I'm stuck with the FM tuner unless Bob is still willing to "hook me up"?
Rich
input to take the headphone audio signal from your Blackberry. I'll also have to add a level matching network to match the output of the Blackberry to the
input of the HU preamp. I tinker with stuff like this in my electronics shop when I have time. I'll be more than happy to do this for you, I just can't predict how long you will be without your HU, and Blackberry.
#21
#22
That sounds compicated?
My blackberry is my *only* phone. I use it for home and for work. I really could'nt go without it for more than a few days. Is there any way I could have my EE friend measure something and tell you what you need to know? (I'm ignorant about this stuff)
Rich
My blackberry is my *only* phone. I use it for home and for work. I really could'nt go without it for more than a few days. Is there any way I could have my EE friend measure something and tell you what you need to know? (I'm ignorant about this stuff)
Rich
#24
Bingo! Ok, ask him if he can find out where the MP3 input is for your HU!
If it can be found, all might be needed is to install a mini stereo plug jack, and
use a cable like this to connect your Blackberry to your HU:
http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/sho...&preadd=action
The wiring diagram for a 2006 Ranger might call out the function of the pins in the red connector for your HU. Do you have the service manual for your
Ranger?
If it can be found, all might be needed is to install a mini stereo plug jack, and
use a cable like this to connect your Blackberry to your HU:
http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/sho...&preadd=action
The wiring diagram for a 2006 Ranger might call out the function of the pins in the red connector for your HU. Do you have the service manual for your
Ranger?