My radio

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Locked
xpanse0

My radio

Post by xpanse0 » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:03 pm

How can listen to uk stations on my japanese radio.
Athers

Post by Athers » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:11 pm

Hi there and welcome,

You need a Band Expander....shifts frequency by 12 or 24 mhz....

Try Ebay

Here is an example..


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/All-Japanese-Cars ... dZViewItem
User avatar
Griffin
Bongolier
Posts: 278
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:42 am
Location: Bristol (ish)
Contact:

Post by Griffin » Mon Oct 09, 2006 11:07 am

I've got an expander fitted, no problems except the reading on the dial will be 'out' by 10 (so my local radio which broadcasts on 96.3 says 86.3 on my radio). Cheaper than buying a new one though :-)
User avatar
Simon Jones
Supreme Being
Posts: 9341
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire

Post by Simon Jones » Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:09 pm

Unless it's the best stereo in the world, ever, I'd be tempted to replace it. Mine came with a really nice Pioneer with motorised bits & even a small dog (!) that used to run across the display in time with the music. Excellent CD player, but crap radio reception with a band expander. Replaced it with a Sony DAB receiver, which although not so good on the CD's as the Pioneer, at least gave me loads of choice on FM/DAB to listen to.
vanvliet
Supreme Being
Posts: 2081
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:33 pm
Location: Fife , Scotland

Post by vanvliet » Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:39 pm

Wouldnt be without my DABs - Blaupunkt Woodstocks -a '53 in Bongo ,'54 in the VW they are selling off quite a few on Ebay as I think that they are now discontinued . One went for ?150 with window mount aerial - brand new - bargain

You needn't have replaced the Pioneer .They make ( sorry ,made as it is discontinued) an add-on DAB tuner - the GEX range DAB 700 or DAB 900
- but they can be pricey ,even second hand
Chris P

Post by Chris P » Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:19 am

I'd agree with several of the other posters (while also disagreeing with them!).

You don't have a problem - you have an opportunity!

Mine came with a UK JVC CD player fitted by the dealer. I really want an MP3 CD player with built-in iPod control (JVC one is 90 quid on ebuyer), but I can't bring myself to spend money on something that I really don't need.

You on the other hand, have a good excuse - you need to do something...

Don't agree with importance of DAB - not a supported concept on this side of the country...

Good luck

Chris
vanvliet
Supreme Being
Posts: 2081
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:33 pm
Location: Fife , Scotland

Post by vanvliet » Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:32 pm

''Don't agree with importance of DAB ''

Agree that this is a great opportunity to work out what you want .
The Blaupunkt is an FM/ DAB unit .It automatically switches to the FM station if the signal on DAB is weak It wouldnt work for Radio 7 or 6 though as they are DAB only. You need to think about the DAB aerial too - where do you fit it?
If you listen to a lot of radio and like a wide variety of stations AND you can get good DAB reception then go for it . Can't recommend it enough.If you have and enjoy a DAB radio in your home then you will want one in the car , simple as that.

Ipod ? - The Blaupunkt Woodstock Radio /Cd /MP3 can be fitted with a ?60 adaptor( make sure that you get the latest version - very important) which alows limited control via the head unit display - it charges the IPod too!
I have a 30g ipod hidden four feet away from the head unit in our VW estate ( used a Blaupunkt CDplayer connection cable -works a treat)
The Woodstock will also record from the radio onto a memory card - mine is a 1g -so I never miss the end of a play!
I will fit an Ipod - Blaupunkt simple lead ( ?6) to the woodstock in the Bongo but it will not charge the Ipod - will use the ciggy socket for that.
Yer pays yer money - - -
Chris P

Post by Chris P » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:25 pm

Yeah - it's that "if you can get good DAB reception" that makes it not worth my while.

?6 lead for an iPod? You must have an auxiliary line in? My JVC only has a line out (I guess in case I want more than four speakers in my Bongo).

Chepaest I could find was 40 quid on ebuyer for a converter that takes your iPod signal and feeds it directly into the aerial of the radoi (and also charges the iPod).

Cheers

Chris
vanvliet
Supreme Being
Posts: 2081
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 6:33 pm
Location: Fife , Scotland

Post by vanvliet » Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:00 pm

This is the Blaupunkt kit I was referring to - - -

http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/woodstock_dab54.asp

http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/auxin2.asp

http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/idc_cable.asp

http://www.bluespot.co.uk/stock/ipod_cable.asp

My Woodstock '53 for the Bongo cost me ?90 It is ex display / mint condition and came with two DAB aerials . and a memory card . I have to use a window stick- on aerial for DAB in the Bongo which in this area of the country seems to work fine . The other unit ,a newer model '54 was a real bargain - brand new in an Ebay auction.

The older Woodstock '52 is a good unit too.
Yamaha
Bongolier
Posts: 243
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:25 am
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset

Post by Yamaha » Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:54 pm

I've just replaced the standard radio/cassette for a decent UK one, with removable front.
I discovered the original didn't use a frame for mounting - so when I fitted the frame for the new radio, it fits quite a bit recesed. No probs there, but I was wondering about the old one I removed.

How about removing carefully the complete fascia, glue the knobs in place, then push it back in the slot in front of the real one (minus fascia), then it would look like just a standard old stereo not worth nicking?

Mike
CarAudio_James

Aftermarket Radio

Post by CarAudio_James » Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:01 am

One of the most straight forward and not difficult upgrades i would have thought

Definitaly lose the old jap radio, and if you spend a few quid enjoy much better sound quality also.

With technology constantly competitive and the supply huge prices are dropping all the time

Try posting in http://www.talkaudio.co.uk forums and ask for help finding a reputable local specialist dealer, rather than halfords etc . . . .

where are you based???
CarAudio_James

Stealthy Facia

Post by CarAudio_James » Thu Oct 12, 2006 12:30 pm

Have a look at this....

Dificult to upload images on this forum so i started it in another one

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthre ... ost2155959


Seen a car done this in competition hes covering up a radio worth over a thousand quid, so worth doing but the principal is the same


James
Locked

Return to “Techie Stuff”