Satellite Radio

[hirosh]

instead of FM modulator, have you thought of getting an auxuillary input device that will plug into your factory radio and let you play your satellite radio through the factory radio? they`re probably more expensive than a FM modulator, but they are suppose to sound better since they plug directly into your factory radio.



i tried looking for something similar to hook my iPod to my factory Mach460 and came across a forum board for xm radio, although i don`t have the bookmark right now. well, let me know if you want it, i can get it later when i go home from work.

[topnotchtouch]

Reid,



I could be wrong but, I am pretty sure there isn`t an auxilliary output on the Mach 460 head unit in my 2001. There are two kinds of FM modulators for XM, wireless and wired through the antenna. Unless I am wrong about the auxilliary output on the head unit I think the FM modulator is really my only option



I have thought about just putting in an XM ready aftermarket head unit but, that opens another whole can of worms



Thanks

[topnotchtouch]

Reid,



I could be wrong but, I am pretty sure there isn`t an auxilliary output on the Mach 460 head unit in my 2001. There are two kinds of FM modulators for XM, wireless and wired through the antenna. Unless I am wrong about the auxilliary output on the head unit I think the FM modulator is really my only option



I have thought about just putting in an XM ready aftermarket head unit but, that opens another whole can of worms



Thanks

[hirosh]

Bob,



Check this post out on the svtperformance.com forum board. it talks about a PIE auxillary input adapter that allows you to hook up any portable audio device to your factory Mach 460 radio. an excerpt from the post:



"The 6-disc in my `03 has a 20-pin changer controller connector with a harness hooked to it. The FRDN-AUX is a passthrough style harness, so you just hook the existing harness to one end of the FRDN-AUX, and the other end plugs into the deck."



so, there is a possibility this could work for you. you should check to see if you have a 20-pin connector. i made the mistake of ordering the iPod adaptor one without realizing my 2004 Mach 460 does not have a 20-pin connector. (the 2004 Mach 460 has built in satellite radio which makes it impossible for me to hook up any portable audio devices)



another option is JL Audio`s CleanSweep which has some auxillary input, but that is only if you want to add aftermarket amplifiers and speakers.

[hirosh]

Bob,



Check this post out on the svtperformance.com forum board. it talks about a PIE auxillary input adapter that allows you to hook up any portable audio device to your factory Mach 460 radio. an excerpt from the post:



"The 6-disc in my `03 has a 20-pin changer controller connector with a harness hooked to it. The FRDN-AUX is a passthrough style harness, so you just hook the existing harness to one end of the FRDN-AUX, and the other end plugs into the deck."



so, there is a possibility this could work for you. you should check to see if you have a 20-pin connector. i made the mistake of ordering the iPod adaptor one without realizing my 2004 Mach 460 does not have a 20-pin connector. (the 2004 Mach 460 has built in satellite radio which makes it impossible for me to hook up any portable audio devices)



another option is JL Audio`s CleanSweep which has some auxillary input, but that is only if you want to add aftermarket amplifiers and speakers.

[topnotchtouch]

Reid,



I talked with the folks at PIE (Precision Interface Electronics) and the FRDN-AUX will give me an auxiliary port. I am wondering though if this is worth the extra expense and effort? I am by no means an audiophile. Will I notice the difference between FM modulation through a direct connection through the antenna vs the direct connection through the AUX port?



Here is the FRDN-AUX

http://www.pie.net/index-2-details.c...ordID=FRDN-AUX





Here is a link to a 3.5mm-RCA cable that they say is needed to go from the SkyFi2 to the RCA on the FRDN-AUX

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...2009&sku=03180





I also found a possible solution for your `04 Mach 460 dilema though. Here is another company that is marketing a similar product for the `04 Mach 460 head unit. Here is a thread from their forum.



http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_forum...PagePosition=1

[topnotchtouch]

Reid,



I talked with the folks at PIE (Precision Interface Electronics) and the FRDN-AUX will give me an auxiliary port. I am wondering though if this is worth the extra expense and effort? I am by no means an audiophile. Will I notice the difference between FM modulation through a direct connection through the antenna vs the direct connection through the AUX port?



Here is the FRDN-AUX

http://www.pie.net/index-2-details.c...ordID=FRDN-AUX





Here is a link to a 3.5mm-RCA cable that they say is needed to go from the SkyFi2 to the RCA on the FRDN-AUX

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...2009&sku=03180





I also found a possible solution for your `04 Mach 460 dilema though. Here is another company that is marketing a similar product for the `04 Mach 460 head unit. Here is a thread from their forum.



http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_forum...PagePosition=1

[topnotchtouch]

Reid,



I talked with the folks at PIE (Precision Interface Electronics) and the FRDN-AUX will give me an auxiliary port. I am wondering though if this is worth the extra expense and effort? I am by no means an audiophile. Will I notice the difference between FM modulation through a direct connection through the antenna vs the direct connection through the AUX port?



Here is the FRDN-AUX

http://www.pie.net/index-2-details.c...ordID=FRDN-AUX





Here is a site that carries the FRDN-AUX

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=430



Here is a link to a 3.5mm-RCA cable that they say is needed to go from the SkyFi2 to the RCA on the FRDN-AUX

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...2009&sku=03180





I also found a possible solution for your `04 Mach 460 dilema though. It would appear that PIE is working on a solution for the `04 Mach 460. Here is another company that is marketing a similar product for the `04 Mach 460 head unit. Here is a thread from their forum.



http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_forum...PagePosition=1

[topnotchtouch]

Reid,



I talked with the folks at PIE (Precision Interface Electronics) and the FRDN-AUX will give me an auxiliary port. I am wondering though if this is worth the extra expense and effort? I am by no means an audiophile. Will I notice the difference between FM modulation through a direct connection through the antenna vs the direct connection through the AUX port?



Here is the FRDN-AUX

http://www.pie.net/index-2-details.c...ordID=FRDN-AUX





Here is a site that carries the FRDN-AUX

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=430



Here is a link to a 3.5mm-RCA cable that they say is needed to go from the SkyFi2 to the RCA on the FRDN-AUX

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...2009&sku=03180





I also found a possible solution for your `04 Mach 460 dilema though. It would appear that PIE is working on a solution for the `04 Mach 460. Here is another company that is marketing a similar product for the `04 Mach 460 head unit. Here is a thread from their forum.



http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_forum...PagePosition=1

[hirosh]

i think it is possible for you to notice the difference. for one thing, using a FM modulator, even a wired one, is still like listening to FM radio. but directly wiring your XM radio to your car radio would be like listening to it through headphones. did you read blkz28conv`s post asking for other member`s opinions on XM radio? if not, HERE it is. it seems like opinions vary from people liking it to people disliking it.



gnahc79 had this to say about his XM radio:

I like my XM, I`ve had it for over 2 yrs. It cuts out under bridges (~2 sec), under heavy tree cover, and occasionally when I`m in San Francisco. My antenna is mounted on the roof and everything too. Not a big deal for me really. Sound quality using the FM modulator is inbetween CD and FM. With an aux in I think it should be much better. The FM modulator is finicky and the FM signal, if strong enough, does override the XM signal.



that`s one thing i noticed with FM modulators (i have one for my iPod). sometimes the signal gets junk. like the other day, i started getting static from my cell phone. but whether you go with the wired FM modulator or an auxilary input adaptor, it`s probably better than regular ol` FM radio.



and thanks for the info about blitzsafe. i saw that post when i was looking for an iPod adaptor. it`s been a while for them to post anything new. hopefully PIE does come out with one for my Mach 460 soon, i think logjamselectronics had something there, so i don`t have to go with the aftermarket radio route. i don`t mind, Alpine has a nice headunit, but like you said, that is a whole `nother can of worms. btw, if you have an iPod and want to hook it up to your Stang, i have a PIE iPod adaptor you can have if you want it.

[hirosh]

i think it is possible for you to notice the difference. for one thing, using a FM modulator, even a wired one, is still like listening to FM radio. but directly wiring your XM radio to your car radio would be like listening to it through headphones. did you read blkz28conv`s post asking for other member`s opinions on XM radio? if not, HERE it is. it seems like opinions vary from people liking it to people disliking it.



gnahc79 had this to say about his XM radio:

I like my XM, I`ve had it for over 2 yrs. It cuts out under bridges (~2 sec), under heavy tree cover, and occasionally when I`m in San Francisco. My antenna is mounted on the roof and everything too. Not a big deal for me really. Sound quality using the FM modulator is inbetween CD and FM. With an aux in I think it should be much better. The FM modulator is finicky and the FM signal, if strong enough, does override the XM signal.



that`s one thing i noticed with FM modulators (i have one for my iPod). sometimes the signal gets junk. like the other day, i started getting static from my cell phone. but whether you go with the wired FM modulator or an auxilary input adaptor, it`s probably better than regular ol` FM radio.



and thanks for the info about blitzsafe. i saw that post when i was looking for an iPod adaptor. it`s been a while for them to post anything new. hopefully PIE does come out with one for my Mach 460 soon, i think logjamselectronics had something there, so i don`t have to go with the aftermarket radio route. i don`t mind, Alpine has a nice headunit, but like you said, that is a whole `nother can of worms. btw, if you have an iPod and want to hook it up to your Stang, i have a PIE iPod adaptor you can have if you want it.

[Intercooled]

I got XM free for 3 months with my new H2 purchase. I must say I love it. I never thought I would want to pay for radio music. :chuckle:

But I think I amgoing to continue after the free period runs out. The H2 has a Bose package and the sound is wonderful!

[Intercooled]

I got XM free for 3 months with my new H2 purchase. I must say I love it. I never thought I would want to pay for radio music. :chuckle:

But I think I amgoing to continue after the free period runs out. The H2 has a Bose package and the sound is wonderful!

[topnotchtouch]

Thanks for the info Reid, I think I am gonna go with the PIE FRDN-AUX. I would have to pull the head unit either way and the FRDN-AUX is only $40 over the price of the FM modulator. The consensus seems to be that the sound is going to be much better.



Also, PIE does have a forum and there was a thread there on the `04 Mach 460. Supposedly there is going to be a part available the end of this month that will allow you to use the "SAT" button as an auxiliary button for audio input.



Here is the thread from the PIE forum

http://www.pie.net/forum/viewtopic.p...hlight=mustang

[topnotchtouch]

Thanks for the info Reid, I think I am gonna go with the PIE FRDN-AUX. I would have to pull the head unit either way and the FRDN-AUX is only $40 over the price of the FM modulator. The consensus seems to be that the sound is going to be much better.



Also, PIE does have a forum and there was a thread there on the `04 Mach 460. Supposedly there is going to be a part available the end of this month that will allow you to use the "SAT" button as an auxiliary button for audio input.



Here is the thread from the PIE forum

http://www.pie.net/forum/viewtopic.p...hlight=mustang