SIRIUS Satellite Radio / US Music Royalty Fee Letter and my reply.

[Scrappy]

$2k is a bit steep but something to consider if and when my OEM receiver ever dies. I use an aftermarket add-on Garmin GPS and like it very much. I ordered but have never programmed the Blue-Tooth in my Dodge. If Texas or local cities move toward outlawing cell phone use while driving I may begin using the Blue-Tooth.



Thanks for educating me and others that new products are now compatible with CANBUS technology and Dodge Ram features. I didn't know that.

I know $2K is steep, but it can be done for alot less. The Kenwood DNX 9140 is their flagship model so you know it is going to be up there. This is Just what "I" want and am willing to spend when the time comes. a basic cd player is not expensive and will do alot of the same stuff.

 

[HBarlow]

I'd like to have a basic replacement six disc changer AM/FM receiver that would give up no factory conveniences like steering wheel controls or Bluttooth but would provide a jack on the face to allow direct plug-in of an IPOD or other device that would play canned music.

Or, better yet, perhaps just an adapter behind the OEM receiver that would allow a harness to hang down behind the OEM rcvr and allow plugging
an IPOD directly in.

Does someone already market something like this?

 

[Matt400]

You really don't even need an Ipod, either. You can get radios now that have a USB port to plug in a jump drive.

Huh? you mean you can play music from a jump drive if you set up a USB port?

 

[hwebster]

You could probably use a bluetooth device too. .

 

[Adventure Bob]

It would appear that you've been paying one too many subscriptions for a while now? Hmmm... I thought my math was bad.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Huh? you mean you can play music from a jump drive if you set up a USB port?

Yep. The radio I just bought has a USB port built right into the front, as well as a 3. 5 mm port for other devices.

 

[HBarlow]

What brand and model?

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Pioneer DEH-3100UB. There are a couple of Pioneer models that have a USB port. Kenwood and JVC have a couple of radios that offer it, also. Some of these models also have Bluetooth built in, but I'm not too sure they will work with the steering wheel controls. They do have a remote control, though.

 

[HBarlow]

Jim,

Is there any way to attach an adapter to my existing OEM radio to provide the plug in ports?

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Harvey,



Other than using the kind that goes through the FM radio, there isn't that I know of. The one thing I did find at Crutchfield doesn't work with the 6 CD changer.

 

[Matt400]

Yep. The radio I just bought has a USB port built right into the front, as well as a 3. 5 mm port for other devices.

I see what you mean, those radios have a storage place to load the music stored on a jump drive. Would be cool if you could play music directly from a jump drive and access it through a factory radio though.



I would think buying a new radio would be more expensive than an iPod & interface plus you can take it to other vehicles.

 

[mwilson]

Hi Harvey,

I know that you are not on a very fast internet connection, but try to get into Crutchfield.com. They seem to be at the leading edge of aftermarket replacement stereo equipment and I believe that you can call up one of the Tech Specialists and get an affordable solution to your needs without a bunch of extra stuff that you don't need. I have purchased from them several times and have received top notch product and service. My . 02 worth.





I will tell you that I recently purchased a Town & Country and it is mandatory that I have the rear video screen for the grandkids, Thing 1 and Thing 2. The factory DVD requires the MyGig system with it and boy, do I ever love that set-up. Has the flash drive, aux input jack for I-Pod, etc,. The neatest thing about it is the ability to copy CD's into the hard drive. For example my son stops at the house not long after I bought that van and was proudly waving his new AC/DC cd under my nose. I said "Let me play that" and crammed it into the MyGig, pushed the copy button, and sucked it into the hard drive. I said "Thanks for buying that so I could steal it, be careful what you wave at me!!". Some of this new stuff really is great. I like it well enough that I will consider replacing my factory radio in my CTD with a MyGig or the aftermarket equivalent if it ever craps out.





My Sirius contract will not be renewed as I would rather put the money towards music that I like and can share between my radios. Lately (post merger) they don't seem as good as they were.



Mike

 

[BrianJ]

Jim,



Is there any way to attach an adapter to my existing OEM radio to provide the plug in ports?

On the units with the 6 disc in dash changer, Dodge and others have an adapter that plugs into the back of the head unit to provide an iPod interface. You will have to choose your song selections from the iPod and it won't charge the iPod, but it will play the music through the stock unit and you can control volume through the head unit. You can use a 12v ipod charger to keep the ipod charged on the road.



Dodge was going to install the adapter for me when they did my A/C blend door and had the dash apart, but I guess the connections on a 2004 head unit are a little different and it would not work, it will work for 2005+ 6 disc in dash changer head units (don't remember the code for the head unit, RBQ perhaps?)

 

[steved]

I installed an interface on my 2004. 5 single CD player... there are several manufacturers, I got mine through a recommendation on TDR.

 

[BrianJ]

Ya, I have seen some of the posts regarding other adapters, just haven't been able to decide if I would rather tear into the dash again or just go with an afternmarket head unit.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I installed an interface on my 2004. 5 single CD player... there are several manufacturers, I got mine through a recommendation on TDR.

I found one of those at Crutchfield, then I read the fine print. It doesn't work on the 6 cd changer.

 

[mwilson]

I just looked at one on a Mopar Parts Store Website, Item# 82210181AB. FM Modulated I-Pod Interface. Shows it fits 2006-2008 Rams and some other models. Plug installs in the side of the glove box. Says that radio head will control volume for and charge the I-Pod. All other functions must be run on the I-Pod itself. Does not mention the 6-CD changer at all.

Looked at the pdf. for installation, looks straight forward and very clear for the wiriing required. $113. 00, possibly Avondale could do better.

Mike.

 

[HBarlow]

On the units with the 6 disc in dash changer, Dodge and others have an adapter that plugs into the back of the head unit to provide an iPod interface. You will have to choose your song selections from the iPod and it won't charge the iPod, but it will play the music through the stock unit and you can control volume through the head unit. You can use a 12v ipod charger to keep the ipod charged on the road.

Dodge was going to install the adapter for me when they did my A/C blend door and had the dash apart, but I guess the connections on a 2004 head unit are a little different and it would not work, it will work for 2005+ 6 disc in dash changer head units (don't remember the code for the head unit, RBQ perhaps?)

Brian,

Thanks for that info. I had no idea that Dodge/MOPAR offered such an adapter.

I'll look into it.

 

[HBarlow]

Hi Harvey,
I know that you are not on a very fast internet connection, but try to get into Crutchfield.com. They seem to be at the leading edge of aftermarket replacement stereo equipment and I believe that you can call up one of the Tech Specialists and get an affordable solution to your needs without a bunch of extra stuff that you don't need. I have purchased from them several times and have received top notch product and service. My . 02 worth.


I will tell you that I recently purchased a Town & Country and it is mandatory that I have the rear video screen for the grandkids, Thing 1 and Thing 2. The factory DVD requires the MyGig system with it and boy, do I ever love that set-up. Has the flash drive, aux input jack for I-Pod, etc,. The neatest thing about it is the ability to copy CD's into the hard drive. For example my son stops at the house not long after I bought that van and was proudly waving his new AC/DC cd under my nose. I said "Let me play that" and crammed it into the MyGig, pushed the copy button, and sucked it into the hard drive. I said "Thanks for buying that so I could steal it, be careful what you wave at me!!". Some of this new stuff really is great. I like it well enough that I will consider replacing my factory radio in my CTD with a MyGig or the aftermarket equivalent if it ever craps out.


My Sirius contract will not be renewed as I would rather put the money towards music that I like and can share between my radios. Lately (post merger) they don't seem as good as they were.

Mike

Thanks, Mike. I'll contact Crutchfield and ask. I have never purchased from Crutchfield but have had their website saved ever since I first heard about them on TDR years ago. I've read lots of favorable member comments about them over the years.

 

[HBarlow]

I just looked at one on a Mopar Parts Store Website, Item# 82210181AB. FM Modulated I-Pod Interface. Shows it fits 2006-2008 Rams and some other models. Plug installs in the side of the glove box. Says that radio head will control volume for and charge the I-Pod. All other functions must be run on the I-Pod itself. Does not mention the 6-CD changer at all.
Looked at the pdf. for installation, looks straight forward and very clear for the wiriing required. $113. 00, possibly Avondale could do better.
Mike.

Mike,

What is the name of the "MOPAR Parts Store Website" you were viewing?

Your comment about no mention of the 6 disc changer makes me a bit leary of ordering one. Modern consumer electronics components, interface, and workable combinations of components are a mystery to me and I hate to learn what works through trial and error purchases.