Radio Wiring Info

[DKlimas]

Hi guys,

I'm a first time diesel owner for about a month now and along with the terrific info in these forums couldn't be happier. I am in the process of setting the truck up to tour the country with a Bigfoot 25C10. 5 camper.

I have a question for you seasoned dodge veterans regarding the audio system. I am an amateur radio operator and would like to be able to mute the radio when transmitting - can anyone tell or point me in the right direction for obtaining radio specific wiring info? - the service manual only goes as far as the standard installation.



Thanks for the feedback...

 

[Ladders]

Dont have the service manual handy but there should be a way to do it depending on the radio due to the option for the cell phone mute. Sew we just need to look this up or if anyone has added the cell phone mute feature they may remember the color code.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[dcscott]

Hi Dave,



I'm a ham as well (W7HLO) so couldn't resist looking into your question. I'm in the process of putting an IC706 into my new 03 quad cab. I mounted the control head right below the factory radio (where the cubby used to be) and tonight managed to get wires from the control head and the battery under the console, under the carpet, and back to the area under the rear seat. Hope to finish the install tomorrow.



I just looked through my service manual and there doesn't seem to be any indication of a simple way to accomplish what you want to do. There is a sentence in the manual that reads: "Certain functions and features of the audio system rely upon resources shared with other electronic modules in the vehicle over the Progammable Communications Interface (PCI) bus network. ". I suspect that's how the cell phone interface mutes the radio. I have no clue where you'd even begin looking for information on how to program data for this bus.



If you're serious about doing this, one option would be to pick up a PTT signal from your transmitter and use it to activate a relay that would kill the power to the vehicles radio.



You must be a better operator than I am as I'm not able to listen to both radios at once to begin with . Heck, I can hardly track what my wife is saying when that turbo starts whinning. She claims my priorities are messed up but I think my hearing is wearing out.



Good luck - - Dale

 

[DKlimas]

Thanks for the feedback Ben & Dale.



I had the radio (RBQ) out and noticed that there is an empty 8-10 pin connector on the back - I was hoping that some one here has installed some sort of accessory (cellphone) that uses this connector. You are probably right Dale the PCI bus probably handles things like muting. The PCI bus is another fountain of knowledge waiting to be discovered.

I also have installed an Icom 706. I made a bracket and mounted the head just under the lip in the dash between the radio and instrument cluster. The main unit is under the drivers seat. Be careful where you mount it under the seat, it could get hung up when adjusting the seat. I flipped one of the seat connectors over from the bottom side of it's mounting bracket to the topside.

Since I will have a camper, I installed my VHF/UHF antenna to the gap between the drivers door and the front fender using a Diamond adjustable gutter mount. As yet I have not decided on an HF antenna. I will try to post some pics.



--- N7DRK ---

 

[AndyMan]

Check out this link... http://www.pie.net/index.htm Navigate to the Virtual Catalog, and then to the Digiatal and Electronic Interfaces.





Those guys have some real real real slick stuff that will allow MANY devices to interface with the facotry radio via the cd-changer control port on the back. Hope that helps ya out! let us know how the project turns out.



Take Care!

/abg

 

[Ladders]

Whell, been doing the looking and the only thing I see is that there are 2 hot feeds to the radio (pins 1 & 12 if I remember correctly). Maybe using one of these thru a relay will do the "muting" of the radio. Why 2 hot feeds with a 3rd from the ing? The only reason MAYBE for a mute? or??? Only takes 1 hot to keep the presets alive, sooo, I am AS*uming - which we know is very dangerous.



Maybe check with a local audio installer and they may have more info as to which wire would do a mute.





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[gsbrockman]

Originally posted by DKlimas

Thanks for the feedback Ben & Dale.



I had the radio (RBQ) out and noticed that there is an empty 8-10 pin connector on the back - I was hoping that some one here has installed some sort of accessory (cellphone) that uses this connector.



--- N7DRK ---

Most likely the connector you are referring to is for the steering wheel mounted audio controls (square connector) or cd changer (round connector).

Greg

 

[mr plow]

re the mute....

i have a nokia in car kit wired up in my truck with the rbq radio. we did not use any mutes from the radio itself. the car kit had a mute wire which we wired up to one of the power wires for the radio. now whenever i dial out, or receive a call, the radio shuts off, and when i am finished either way, it powers on. All the presets and such are still retained. we just used a relay.



hope this helps.





oren.