I have some detail questions about using an FM Modulator. I have never used one and a few things are not clear to me.
- Do I need a special antenna adapter, or does the PCM use a standard antenna hookup? i.e. would the Scosche kit be enough?
Amazon.com: Scosche FM-MOD02 FM Modulator for iPod, Satellite Radio or Portable Music Player: Electronics
- How is power hooked to these units? Basically, is there a connector back there to hook up to? (PCM)
- The Scosche unit above has a switch. What is this switch for? Does it basically turn off your existing antenna when needed? This would make sense, but make it one more thing to mess with/install. For the following unit, one of the reviewers said it "turns off the original antenna".
Amazon.com: Movies 2 Go FM100A FM Modulator with IST2 Isolation Transformer (Grey): Electronics
- Whats is the isolation transformer in the unit above? Would this make it a better option?
- Anything else I need to know? From the comments here, it appears to be very important to ground it well to avoid engine/alternator noise, etc.
You would need this antenna adapter:
Metra 40-EU30 ** Enfig Car Stereo ** iPod XM and Sirius Satellite Radio & Auxiliary AUX Audio input specialists
(btw, 40-EU30 is just the combination of 40-EU10 and 40-EU20)
For hooking up power I would just follow one of the radar detector install articles. Pretty much the same thing.
Yes, that switch is because it cuts off the factory antenna.
I don't know the details of all the different devices. I would expect one to work automatically without the switch, just by sensing something on the input. That's what my XM unit does but it is specific for that purpose.
Thanks, that was real helpful.
I currently have the T505 fm transmitter and it seems to be doing a good job. I don't seem get much static and when I pause the music it is pretty quiet (which I think indicates little static).
However, I notice it has a hard time reproducing some music, but not sure if that is static or because of frequency cutoffs inherent to fm transmission. If that is the case, then I suppose a fm modulator won't be much good either?
Yeah, I'm not sure how much difference you would see with the direct connection. I'm sure it is a little clearer but you're right, the frequency limitations are because of FM and won't go away. The main reason I had to switch to the inline is because I could not find a clear FM station so I always for interference over the air. If you don't have interference from radio stations then it probably isn't a big deal.
I live in Norcal where there is a station in every refrequency. Hardwiring however does not seem to help. I want to give the Scosche unit a try, but hesitate throwing more money at a modulator. If I am willing to give up FM all together can I just not plug in the external antenna and get the same effect?
