FM band converters?

Post by **jif** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:50 pm

Hi all

anyone happen to know the difference between the various types of band-expanders, and which might be the best quality type to get?

ta!

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:17 pm

I wouldn't get any of them. Replace the stereo with a new one. Keep the
original though for when or if you sell the car.
Due to the reduced tuning range of the Japanese domestic radios, with a band
expander you won't be able to receive the whole of our FM band. You will
need to choose whether to lose the bottom or the top of the FM band. As an
old fogey, I listen to AM as well quite often though mainly due to driving
where there is no FM coverage. Most band expanders reduce the performance of
the radio on AM, sometimes quite markedly.
Also, with a new radio you can have MP3 playback, iPod connection and so on
along with the improved radio reception.
If your car has a Bose system in it (mine did) then you will either need a
special interface to connect to the Bose amplifier or replace the Bose
speakers with ones compatible with the new radio. I replaced my speakers as
the Bose system sounded awful anyway. Very disappointing for what is
supposed to be a high quality system.

Grant.

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peter · Post by **peter** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:48 pm

Grant has nailed it - replace the stereo with a MP3 friendly unit, preferably with a front USB port.

and don't forget the sub woofer in the boot!

Peter
DRGN1

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skams · Post by **skams** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:30 pm

jif wrote:Hi all

anyone happen to know the difference between the various types of band-expanders, and which might be the best quality type to get?

ta!

I gotta agree with Grant, however if you feel that you have to fit one, two things to remember - cheap aint always best (you knew that anyway) and its another thing to drain your poor wee battery, particularly when heaven forbid

you don't use your 5 very often or you can do as I did and tap into the switched supply for the radio for the power to drive the wee beastie

Cheers Simon

Post by **zorruno** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:03 am

jif wrote:anyone happen to know the difference between the various types of band-expanders, and which might be the best quality type to get?

Jif,

Dicky Smith have the Electronic Developments range, and they have a good return policy (if it doesn't work or do exactly what they tell you... take it back. If you find a station clash with a station you want you could probably swap for a different stepped model.

With regards to which model to use, read this:
http://www.edl.co.nz/ConvertersHP/how-to-select.htm

Finally, I can tell you that they will cause a drop in the quality of reception, and the 10MHz ones are easiest to use if you have a digital display, as the stations look similar on screen (i.e. 95.0=85.0 on screen)

I've used them in the past. Not fantastic, but I've never seen one that is. Seem pretty well made though compared to some.

Here's a search link at dick smith
http://search.dse.co.nz/search.php?w=fm+band+expander

cheers

Post by **jif** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:04 pm

thanks guys.

This will be going in the Mazda (noisy) where the radio is only really background music , so quality's not critical (tho still nice to have!). No radio at all at the moment

and big gaping hole crying out for a blingy double din unit

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poison · Post by **poison** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:57 pm

Oh yes I remember seeing some mega sexy double din head units at www.parallelimported.co.nz

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brownie · Post by **brownie** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:20 pm

I can suppy good second hand double din units with band expanders thru work if you are keen.Some are Mini Disc/CD others are Cassette/CD,
I would give a 30 day warranty as well.
Contact me at Mazline Partsworld,
Hope this post is ok to help someone out .
Thanks
Mark(Brownie) Brown

Post by **jif** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:47 pm

hey I just bought that Eclipse HU from you on trademe - it's pretty awesome little unit

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brownie · Post by **brownie** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:40 pm

ha ha ha

,what a small world,It was a cool unit ,wish we could get more like that,Hope you get a good run.