Database Users

External antenna for the radio

Hi all great forum
I am going to make an external antenna for the radio in the atom , i know the headphones are the antenna when plugged in but i dont want to lug them around
i use the speakers to listen to the radio so... i would like to know which pin on the headphone jack is the antenna and is it the switch in the jack that tells the o2 that headphones are plugged in or does it sense the resistance of the headphones
i am just going to cut a piece of real fine wire at 1/4 wavelength and coil it up inside the cover i use

I was thinking of doing it too.
Well ... thats an idea I've been toying with too . . haven't got round to it but I guess its a process of elimination .... have pinouts from the plug and connect the wire to each in turn and see which gives best reception.
if it is a looped antennae then you need to connect to 2 pins ... this risks shorting out your atom circuitry .... a good way to avoid this is to use a Multimeter to test the included headphones and determine which pins are connected and which is not to avoid frying your circuits.
Good luck !
P.S. I'd be interested to know the results ....

Headphone(one of two) must be included in circuit of antenna or length of wire must be long.
lambda(length of wave) = f (frequency) / c (velocity of light) = 10^8(100 MHz) / 3*10^8(m/s) = 3 meters
Length of antenna may be lamda, lambda/n, where n = 2 or 4 (usually).
It's for information
Wire of antenna connects to one of signal pins: left or right channel in output for headphones.

i use the speakers to listen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use speakers while headphone is plugged in. actually you don't need additional anthena.

HTC 8525 in car?

Alright, may be a little off subject, but I need some advice. I am trying to figure out a way to hook up my htc 8525 to my cd player in my car. Unfortunately, my cd player does have a AUX hookup, so I am not able to just buy the Mini USB to 3.5 mm cable and hard wire into my CD player through the AUX input. Any ideas on another way to do this? The car does not have blue tooth integrated neither.
Thanks in advance!
- Casper

No AUX input.. no bluetooth... kinda hard, but not impossible. Depending on the brand of your car deck, you might be able to buy an auxiliary input adapter. I know for sure that Pioneers do that. You can buy an "ipbus adapter" that plugs into the back of it where the CD changer would and you can route the audio from your phone that way. I know Alpines and Sonys also have this ability.

your best best and pretty inexpensive ...is to use a fm transmitter alongs with your Mini USB to 3.5 mm cable this is how I do it with hy 8125 and plan to do with my 8525 when I get my Mini USB to 3.5 mm cable

NRGZ28 said:
No AUX input.. no bluetooth... kinda hard, but not impossible. Depending on the brand of your car deck, you might be able to buy an auxiliary input adapter. I know for sure that Pioneers do that. You can buy an "ipbus adapter" that plugs into the back of it where the CD changer would and you can route the audio from your phone that way. I know Alpines and Sonys also have this ability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting.. I have a Pioneer deck, so I may be able to do it this way! Will have to check the deck after work to make sure that it has that connector on it. Thanks!

ljinsane said:
your best best and pretty inexpensive ...is to use a fm transmitter alongs with your Mini USB to 3.5 mm cable this is how I do it with hy 8125 and plan to do with my 8525 when I get my Mini USB to 3.5 mm cable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I thought of this option, just hate the output quality with an FM Transmitter. Thanks!

Yeah the FM quality blows usually. Go to your local car audio shop to get one of those adapter. They're about 20 bucks. I know Best Buy has them, that's where I bought mine.

Do a search for PIE Electronics Auxilliary adapter... if your head unit has CD-Changer control ( like my Honda Pilot) then you can get a PIE adapter which basically gives you an aux input. The sound quality is FAR superior to the FM modulated stuff. The adapter takes a dual-rca style input - so you'd need the 3.5 adapter into dual rca into the PIE. Works perfectly for me with my Sirius - and if I want to listen to my 8525 I just unplug the 3.5 from my sirius and plug it into my phone
Side note - if you get a PIE adapter - do *NOT* connect the ground. I know that sounds odd but I got wicked alternator noise with the ground connected to a good ground, go ZERO noise with it disconnected entirely.

i just modded the stock headset, chopped off the headphone wires and spliced in a 1/8" male audio connector and RCA outputs, i have aftermarket radios in my rides so i have RCA inputs..

JamesHolden said:
i just modded the stock headset, chopped off the headphone wires and spliced in a 1/8" male audio connector and RCA outputs, i have aftermarket radios in my rides so i have RCA inputs..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I checked my CD player yesterday, it does not have the CD changer plug. How did you do this through the RCA plugs I know my head unit has RCA plugs because I currently have my AMP hooked up to the RCA plugs. I just don't see how RCA can be used to take in sound and play it through the speakers, I thought RCA was for output. Maybe I'm wrong?

If you have that going to an amp, the RCA's you're using are "pre-amp outputs"- operative word being outputs... Most radios do not have auxilliary RCA inputs... I have a kenwood KDC-mp528 that does...

Look into _WIRED_ FM modulators
The same concept as the wireless FM deals, but without the interference and associated sound quality issues.
They basically plug in between the antenna and the head unit. when turned on, they completely replace the signal on the selected frequency so even a strong radio signal will not interfere.
The concept is well-illustrated here:
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/car/peripherals_installation_guide.html?page=3
Prices vary by features, but they're normally cheaper than the wireless equivalents. Look for examples here:
http://www.etronics.com/c-2435-modulators.aspx
Hope it helps!

you could just hook the 8525 up w/ the RCAs to the AMP and have a way of switching between the headunit and 8525...
just an idea

bah. go old school. tapedeck-to-headphone adapter
lovin' my 99

playing music through the car

anybody have any idea on how to play music from the phone through the car? My buddy has an HD2 and all he does is plug it into the car charger and it will play. I tried that with my car charger and it didn't do squat but play it through the phone while charging the phone.

He probably has either blu tooth which you don't need anything to plug into the car (you just need to sync it once) , or he has it plugged in from a 3.5 headphone jack from the car to the phone.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App

no he was not using the 3.5 mm jack. He was using his car charger.

Some car chargers have FM adapters built-in. The phone plugs in and is being charged. Meanwhile, the charger connects to the phone either by bluetooth, the "HTC" port or a 3.5mm jack, and transmits the audio to the car stereo by FM.
Here and here are just a couple examples. They come in either cabled (3.5mm) or bluetooth versions. Both would work with a slide as well. With cheap stereos with bluetooth nowadays, it's really a poor solution, especially in cities with lots of FM stations around.
But yeah, it really isn't possible for your friend to "just connect to the charger" and get audio to the radio, unless one of those methods above is what he's using. Either his stereo has bluetooth or his charger transmits over FM.

If your stereo has auxiliary ports(possibly on the back), just get an rca to 3.5mm cable and you're good to go.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App

yppans said:
If your stereo has auxiliary ports(possibly on the back), just get an rca to 3.5mm cable and you're good to go.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Run the 3.5 mm jack out the phone to an amp and bypass the radio

It's just not true that you need bluetooth or an FM transmitter. I have an Alpine MP3 only head unit. It has a USB port and I just connect my Slide to play songs from the SDcard. Maybe he has a similar headunit?
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide

I have a relatively old Pioneer head unit with a 3.5mm jack in the back and just ran a cable. It doesn't charge, but I can plug anything with a headphone jack into it. Most head units nowadays have that in the front, which makes things a lot more convenient. But, I do like the built in USB idea and may get one when I can afford it.
Also kcbboy, depending on the make of your friend's car, it may have a built in USB port that connects to the factory stereo.

Funny, just this weekend I installed my Motorola T-605 bluetooth unit in my car. It does both music (A2DP), handsfree, and has a 3.5mm jack also. I'm thrilled with it cause now I can just hop in the car and hit play - no need to unpocket the phone. The only downside is that it has an external speaker for the handsfree phone part (it won't play via the car speakers,) but I can live with that. (My head unit has line in and a ground-to-mute input, so this worked out well. My wifes car will involve an fm modulator to install her T-605.)

stoneyjonez said:
It's just not true that you need bluetooth or an FM transmitter. I have an Alpine MP3 only head unit. It has a USB port and I just connect my Slide to play songs from the SDcard. Maybe he has a similar headunit?
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true that you can use the phone as a USB Mass Storage device via a USB cable to the headunit. I didn't think of that route, given that the OP's friend "just plugged it into his charger." I haven't seen a charger with a USB passthrough to a headunit yet. I'd love to, though.

double post. sorry.

I use an adapter from PAC audio that has 2 headphone jacks, 1 for a mp3 player, 1 for my sirius receiver.
http://www.pac-audio.com/

beartard said:
It's true that you can use the phone as a USB Mass Storage device via a USB cable to the headunit. I didn't think of that route, given that the OP's friend "just plugged it into his charger." I haven't seen a charger with a USB passthrough to a headunit yet. I'd love to, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just know a lot of people call the USB cable the charger cable too sometimes. It's nice though, I can play them right from the phone with my head unit controls.
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide

Looking to add Sub to Atoto Head Unit

Hey guys, I'm new to installing Subs. I have the Atoto M4171 Android Head Unit. I am loving it so far, however there is no bass, so I am looking to add a sub to it. I was thinking of getting the Sound Ordnance B-8P powered sub from crutchfield. However, I have no clue how to connect the amp remote turn on wire to this unit. Looking at the wiring diagram, there isn't a wire labeled as amp remote turn on (or whatever the wire is called). Does anyone have this HU, and installed a sub with it?
Orange-Radio ANT Power
CANBUX-TX
Purple-Back Cam Control
Red-ACC
Pink Red-Steering Wheel Key1
Red Black-Steering Wheel Key2
Brown-Amplifier Control
CANBUS-RX
Yellow-B+
Those are the only non speaker wires (minus ground, ilumination, and Brake Control
Looking in the owner's manual that came with it, it has a table that lists "basic connection for function working normally" (the manual's wording, not mine) and it says External Amplifier RCA*4 (which is RCA Rear Left) + Wire Number 11 (which is the Brown Amp Control). I currently have that brown wire connected to a matching wire on the after market wiring harness that connects directly to the factory wiring harness. Should I disconnect that wire, and connect it to the Sound Ordnance's amp remote turn on wire, or should I use a different wire?
Sorry in advance if this has been asked before, I've just never installed a sub before, and would like to get specific instructions for this exact Head Unit.

barcodejames said:
Hey guys, I'm new to installing Subs. I have the Atoto M4171 Android Head Unit. I am loving it so far, however there is no bass, so I am looking to add a sub to it. I was thinking of getting the Sound Ordnance B-8P powered sub from crutchfield. However, I have no clue how to connect the amp remote turn on wire to this unit. Looking at the wiring diagram, there isn't a wire labeled as amp remote turn on (or whatever the wire is called). Does anyone have this HU, and installed a sub with it?
Orange-Radio ANT Power
CANBUX-TX
Purple-Back Cam Control
Red-ACC
Pink Red-Steering Wheel Key1
Red Black-Steering Wheel Key2
Brown-Amplifier Control
CANBUS-RX
Yellow-B+
Those are the only non speaker wires (minus ground, ilumination, and Brake Control
Looking in the owner's manual that came with it, it has a table that lists "basic connection for function working normally" (the manual's wording, not mine) and it says External Amplifier RCA*4 (which is RCA Rear Left) + Wire Number 11 (which is the Brown Amp Control). I currently have that brown wire connected to a matching wire on the after market wiring harness that connects directly to the factory wiring harness. Should I disconnect that wire, and connect it to the Sound Ordnance's amp remote turn on wire, or should I use a different wire?
Sorry in advance if this has been asked before, I've just never installed a sub before, and would like to get specific instructions for this exact Head Unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(I use Google - how about you?)
There are several ways to get your amplifier to turn on and off remotely even if your head unit does not have a remote turn on wire. The cheap and easy way is to run the amplifier's remote terminal off of a switched accessory wire (your Red-ACC wire). This is the wire that your head unit uses. It is only powered when the key is in the accessory or run position of the ignition switch. When you shut the car off the wire loses power and the head unit and amplifier will both turn off. Your amp will be on when your car is on and off when you car is off. If you don't want the amplifier to always be on when the car is on you could wire a simple switch inline with this new remote wire. Normally you would leave it on so that it turns on when the head unit is on. But if you wanted to turn the amplifier off you could flip the switch to off which would stop the flow of 12 volts to the amplifier's remote turn on terminal.
There are also units that will sense the voltage on the head unit's speaker wires and then send a +12 volt signal to the remote wire. These units are an option for those who do not want their equipment on full time (when the ignition is on) and also don't want to wire in a switch. PAC makes some very popular ones such as the TR4 or TR7. David Navone also has an inexpensive model available that has a full amp of current output (you can add more components to it without needing an external relay).

Tap the brown wire and connect to it. It should turn on the amp. The brown wire will have +12V when the deck is on, and it's only used to flip a relay in the amp, so it will draw very little power.

11. Brown (Amplifier Control)
As dnfm says, the brown wire is what you want.
That's your amp / remote turn-on wire. It connects to your blue wire from your amp.

Will adding the external amplifier help my situation

Helpful people,
I have bought Asottu CDZ8060 2G android 8.1 head unit of aliexpress for VW Scirocco 2010.
Unit is nice, but I get a constant buzzing noise when I connect a radio antenna (and only when it is connected).
It is always the same intensity and volume from the bootup of the headunit untill I mute the sound or shut down the car.
The noise is sublte, usually it is not a problem, but when the car engine is off it is (a big one).
I have tried:
Grounding a chassis of a radio with GND of radio
Changing the antenna wire from original cable to my radio.
Fiddling with software settings
Putting a ferrite choke over the wire
Nothing helped.
Among all of this the audio quality is worse than with the original radio.
So my wish is to improve the audio (I want it to be atleast as good as the original).
Will external amplifier help with this? Do you have any other ideas how to fix this?
There is a option of returnig this unit and buying a diefferent one, but I am scared that I will get the noise with a different after market radio also.