Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

XM External Input

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2007 | 09:50 PM
  #1  
Raleigh TA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 982
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Default XM External Input

I have the standard Monsoon CD head unit and also am running the XM radio. I currently use the RF modulator, but I keep having to switch stations as I drive due to interference. Has anyone here been successful in wiring an external jack to hardwire an accessory line a XM or iPod?
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 07:49 AM
  #2  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Start with the Monsoon FAQ sticky. There are several ways to do it - all of which have been discussed countless times.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 07:42 PM
  #3  
VIP1's Avatar
Copy & Paste Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Default

Unfortunately, the 1998 Monsoon CD Headunit cannot control the factory external CD-Changer, otherwise you can convert that port toi RCA-IN using a GM9-AUX like I did on my 2001.

http://www.fadingarrow.com/XMSatelliteRadio.htm
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 07:47 PM
  #4  
fredmr39's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 3
From: Champaign/Chicagoland
Default

- as far as aux inputs, search posts by member 'Jason Novak'.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 11:14 PM
  #5  
VIP1's Avatar
Copy & Paste Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Default

Originally Posted by fredmr39
- as far as aux inputs, search posts by member 'Jason Novak'.
You can also search for posts by WhiteBird00 and me and find the same information that I posted above.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2007 | 07:51 AM
  #6  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

I missed that it was a 98. Since you can't use the CD changer port adapters on a 98 CD head unit, the simplest and least expensive alternative is to replace the wireless FM modulator with a wired one. They install inline in the antenna lead and connect to the audio/headphone port on the satellite radio tuner. The advantage is that they electronically disconnect the head unit from the AM/FM antenna when the satellite radio is in use (and reconnect it when the satellite radio is off). That eliminates all the interference from broadcast stations in the area. And, because it is a direct connection into the antenna, it also eliminates the fading that is common with wireless modulators. Sound quality will be equivalent to that of a strong local FM station so it's not the same as CD but it's quite good and pretty inexpensive.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2007 | 08:52 PM
  #7  
Raleigh TA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 982
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Default

[QUOTE=WhiteBird00]I missed that it was a 98. Since you can't use the CD changer port adapters on a 98 CD head unit, the simplest and least expensive alternative is to replace the wireless FM modulator with a wired one. QUOTE]
Sounds like great advice! This will be my next task. Thanks for all of the replys.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2007 | 12:58 AM
  #8  
VIP1's Avatar
Copy & Paste Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Default

Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
I missed that it was a 98. Since you can't use the CD changer port adapters on a 98 CD head unit, the simplest and least expensive alternative is to replace the wireless FM modulator with a wired one. They install inline in the antenna lead and connect to the audio/headphone port on the satellite radio tuner. The advantage is that they electronically disconnect the head unit from the AM/FM antenna when the satellite radio is in use (and reconnect it when the satellite radio is off). That eliminates all the interference from broadcast stations in the area. And, because it is a direct connection into the antenna, it also eliminates the fading that is common with wireless modulators. Sound quality will be equivalent to that of a strong local FM station so it's not the same as CD but it's quite good and pretty inexpensive.
I can tell you from experience that a wired FM transmitter is only a marginal improvement over a wireless FM transmitter and nowhere near the quality of an AUX input solution. You'll still end up having to jump stations on occasion and you'll still get static on occasion. There were certain areas that I drove (not far from my normal route) where I would routinely get increased static and had to change stations. Thats why I have the GM9-AUX. Unfortunately the 1998 Monsson CD headunit cannot use it. You're best bet is to either get a 2001+ CD headunit to use the GM9-AUX, or better yet, get an aftermaket headunit with RCA AUX-IN.

Only headunits that could control the factory CD-Changer will work with the GM9-AUX:
1998-2002 Cassette
mid99-2002 CD (best bet is 2001-2002 CD since they supposedly can handle two AUX devices and no one knows exactly when in mid99 the change for the CD headunit to control the CD Changer happened-- the only way to tell in the mid99 is to disassemble it and check the P/N stamped on the CD player's circuit board)

Last edited by VIP1; Jun 22, 2007 at 01:05 AM.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 22, 2007 | 07:09 AM
  #9  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Originally Posted by VIP1
I can tell you from experience that a wired FM transmitter is only a marginal improvement over a wireless FM transmitter and nowhere near the quality of an AUX input solution. You'll still end up having to jump stations on occasion and you'll still get static on occasion. There were certain areas that I drove (not far from my normal route) where I would routinely get increased static and had to change stations.
Yup...I've experienced that as well but it seems to be related to the quality and design of the wired modulator. I've used several of them on my bike. Some seem to connect into the antenna lead but don't cut off the connection to the original AM/FM antenna - these hardly work better than wireless. Others are more like a relay - as long as you don't pick a frequency used by the strongest local stations (that come through even without an antenna) they work great. Believe it or not, one of the best was the XM one they sold to go with the original Roady. You could even use the frequency of a moderately strong local station and as soon as you switched on the Roady the local station would cut off like it wasn't even there.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2007 | 08:10 PM
  #10  
Raleigh TA's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 982
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, FL
Default

Any make or model number recommendations for a direct wired system?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:44 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE