Tuner Volume and Remote

Posted by: DanMcC

Tuner Volume and Remote - 07/11/2001 16:00

I have a Mk2 unit (#686) upgraded to 1.03, and just installed the tuner module. I seem to have a couple of problems.

1. FM volume is WAY down. I tried getting rid of the extension harness, and have verified that the antenna connection is good. AM volume is good, but for FM I have to turn the volume up over 0 dB to hear it, and the quality is not good.

2. I have the Kenwood remote. When I press the ‘DNPP’ button while following the instructions for setting the presets, I get a horizontal line across the top of the screen, and nothing else seems to happen.

Help?

Dan
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 07/11/2001 16:18

but for FM I have to turn the volume up over 0 dB to hear it, and the quality is not good.

Your car's antenna amplifier is not connected properly and is not getting powered up. See the troubleshooting section of the FAQ at riocar.org.

I get a horizontal line across the top of the screen,

Known bug, fixed in the next (2.0b3) release.

Note that 2.0b3 is still in beta and it has its own set of bugs, use it at your own risk.
Posted by: DanMcC

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 07/11/2001 17:22

Thanks Tony. Unfortunately my car did not come with an antenna amplifier. Off to the stereo shop on the weekend.

Dan
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 07/11/2001 17:33

Unfortunately my car did not come with an antenna amplifier.

You sure? What kind of car is it?
Posted by: mlord

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 07/11/2001 22:33

>>Unfortunately my car did not come with an antenna amplifier.
>You sure? What kind of car is it?

What kind of cars do include antenna amplifiers? I've never seen one over here (Canada), and I've poked at a fair number of car stereos (10 or so).

??
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 07/11/2001 23:38

What kind of cars do include antenna amplifiers?

Many european models, as I understand it. My '80's-era VW had a bee-sting antenna with the amplifier in its base.
Posted by: Diznario

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 08/11/2001 00:10

My '80's-era VW had a bee-sting antenna with the amplifier in its base.

I think VW has been on the powered antenna tip for a while. I seem to recall other VWs haveing powered antennas as well. They might be one of the few manufacturers that use them though, because you hardly ever see them. No car I've ever owned, or helped install a sterio in has ever had one.

If I'm not misstaken, the New Beatle comes stock with one of the new Fuba antennas. Probably very similar to what you had.

It's a pretty slick antenna, and I was thinkin about stickin one on my car.
Posted by: altman

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 08/11/2001 05:28

Most (all?) VWs have them, ditto for audis. Many Mercedes and BMWs have in-glass antennas, which are amplified too.

Hugo
Posted by: johnmcd3

Re: Tuner Volume and Remote - 09/11/2001 04:07

My BMW has one (as do other BMWs without a visible antenna) and believe it or not its in the backseat support column behind the drivers door. It requires 12v to operate (which is wired to the factory radio, so its only on when the radio is on) and when I replaced my radio / with the empeg, I needed to hook up the tuner modules antenna remote line to this. My previous car (Camaro, like many other US cars) did not have this.