Remote Face Car Radio

[101RRS]

Most brands of UHF radio have an range of radios that have a remote face so that the main body can be mounted remotely.

Does anyone know of a "normal" AM/FM radio that, like some UHF radios, has a remote face (not a normal removable face for security). I do not need a CD slot but the ability to use SD card or Zip drive would be needed.

Thanks

Garry

[Tombie]

All the majors do that now..
Still Din size but shallow and no Drive.

[101RRS]

Hi Tombie - do you have an example as I have did a search online and nothing came up. There are some that have a detachable face for security reasons and the face needs to be attached for the radio to work, likewise there are some that are normal radio have also have remote control but I haven't been able to find any like the UHF radios that have a face separate from the actual electronics section that can be mounted on a flat surface.

Cheers

Garry

[Tombie]

Ahh.. look at the Marine market - I’ll go home and see if I can find some bookmarks I had.

[AK83]

....
Does anyone know of a "normal" AM/FM radio that, like some UHF radios, has a remote face (not a normal removable face for security). I do not need a CD slot but the ability to use SD card or Zip drive would be needed.

Thanks

Garry

What it becoming more common nowadays, is not so much a remote head, like those remote head UHF units.. but with radios, they're becoming much shallower than they used too.
So they can be fitted into spaces with less requirement for depth.
In a sense, this could be consiidered the same design .. just no main receiver body + remote unit to operate the device.

I've seen many newer products from 'The Majors' as Tombie put it, where the depth of the radio unit is only 100mm or so deep(give or take) .. some 90-something mm deep others 110mm depth.

I've got a U-beaut Pioneer DAB+ unit with Bt(for phone) and a steering mounted remote control.
The remote is only 20cm from the head unit(on a D1) where I've mounted the remote on the LHS of the steering wheel) .. and it's connection to the radio unit is dubious. Usually doesn't work, sometimes does.
I think the remote may be IR instead of RF and the IR port don't line well. (dunno!) .. anyhow, while I'm 'happy' with the majority of the units performance, not happy with the way that the remote doesn't work.

DAB reception is about the best I've yet experienced tho .. made better with a larger external antenna.

But I've got my eye on some JVC stereo units that look interesting, in terms of what features they offer. I've had many JVC units previously and always been happy with them.
eg. KD-X341BT looks appealing. 112mm depth isn't hard to manage installation away from the normal head unit location I guess(dependent on vehicle).
Some JVC units have their remote app, where compatible units can be controlled via an Android or iOS device.

eg. instead of a remote head unit, you could use a mounted tablet or phone as the remote unit .. kind of setup.


Are you limited to single DIN install, double din? ... what vehicle? etc.

[101RRS]

Ahh.. look at the Marine market - I’ll go home and see if I can find some bookmarks I had.

Well while the offer is appreciated, you don't have to go home just on my account [bigsmile].

[101RRS]

What it becoming more common nowadays, is not so much a remote head, like those remote head UHF units.. but with radios, they're becoming much shallower than they used too.

Hi Arthur and thanks for the input.

I am just after something that I can mount the main box somewhere while the control face is mounted on a flat face - not looking for anything thicker than about 25mm. Looking for the UHF type arrangement.

Cheers

Garry

[SSmith]

I think you may have to get creative with that one. Any good with a soldering iron?

Get into the interface where the face clips to the main body and attach a cable. Having the receiving carrier and the terminals mounted wherever you want it.

I doubt there is anything like a rf chip identifying the face to the unit, probably just codes exchanged on powerup.

Would be an interesting project.

[Tombie]

See if you can get a GME Gdek

[jonesy63]

Hi Garry,
Search for "mechless car stereo" - there are heaps! ;)

Edit: sometimes their makers call them "media receivers".

Cheers,
Rob

[101RRS]

Ahh.. look at the Marine market - I’ll go home and see if I can find some bookmarks I had.


See if you can get a GME Gdek

I am glad I sent you home - that is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for - an auto specific item would be better [wink11] but that will do - not all that expensive either.

Thanks for that - helpful as always.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

Hi Garry,
Search for "mechless car stereo" - there are heaps! ;)

Edit: sometimes their makers call them "media receivers".

Cheers,
Rob

Thanks Rob - searched but none that I found have a remote radio face.

Cheers

Garry

[loanrangie]

Mechless only means a compact unit not remote head , I don't think they exist.
As Simon said it would be possible to make a fascia remote.

[SSmith]

Mechless only means a compact unit not remote head , I don't think they exist.
As Simon said it would be possible to make a fascia remote.The unit Tombie posted looks interesting.

[AK83]

The unit Tombie posted looks interesting.

+1
yep .. very nice.
Not so much in white, but the black one looks appealing.

[123rover50]

I am glad I sent you home - that is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for - an auto specific item would be better [wink11] but that will do - not all that expensive either.

Thanks for that - helpful as always.

Cheers

Garry

I am right off GME stuff. Last year I bought a GR300BT AM FM Marine radio. Nice and compact , fits in a Series parcel shelf, also waterproof. Ideal, NOT
Our nearest AM station is 50 kays away and it just barely receives it. Thats the only station it would get. The crappy Sony in our old D1 gets heaps more from all over.
I rang the supplier for a return , he said stiff, you should have said you wanted it for a car.
These are only made for cruising around Sydney Harbour and are adequate for picking up stations there.

Anyone want it.

Check that remote face well before you buy.

Keith

[loanrangie]

I am right off GME stuff. Last year I bought a GR300BT AM FM Marine radio. Nice and compact , fits in a Series parcel shelf, also waterproof. Ideal, NOT
Our nearest AM station is 50 kays away and it just barely receives it. Thats the only station it would get. The crappy Sony in our old D1 gets heaps more from all over.
I rang the supplier for a return , he said stiff, you should have said you wanted it for a car.
These are only made for cruising around Sydney Harbour and are adequate for picking up stations there.

Anyone want it.

Check that remote face well before you buy.

Keith
Can't blame gme for your lack of research.

[123rover50]

It should be in the specs. Nowhere did it say it was a short range receiver.
What about if some ocean going yachtie bought it.

[Tombie]

I am right off GME stuff. Last year I bought a GR300BT AM FM Marine radio. Nice and compact , fits in a Series parcel shelf, also waterproof. Ideal, NOT
Our nearest AM station is 50 kays away and it just barely receives it. Thats the only station it would get. The crappy Sony in our old D1 gets heaps more from all over.
I rang the supplier for a return , he said stiff, you should have said you wanted it for a car.
These are only made for cruising around Sydney Harbour and are adequate for picking up stations there.

Anyone want it.

Check that remote face well before you buy.

Keith

Plastic dash on a D1... big difference to radio performance.

[123rover50]

Well its probably not just GME. I think most modern radio receivers are cutting down on AM FM sensitivity and concentrating more on the gadget side of thinks like bluetooth and USB and Iphone connections etc. Depends what you want it for. Just saying Garrycol should try first if he wants it primarily as an AM FM receiver.

[donh54]

I got a very good boost in performance both AM and FM by updating the antenna.

[AK83]

I got a very good boost in performance both AM and FM by updating the antenna.

Yeah me too.
I like DAB+(clarity and additional stuff, here in the big smoke).

Pioneer doodad I got came with a window stick-on 'powered' DAB aerial. Fitted, worked OK-ish. From my place to Ballarat, I'd lose reception at about Melton(40-ish klms, very flat terrain) and it drop in and out a few klms further on and final reception area was always the Pentland Hills area, about 50+klms but high up and perfect line of sight to the city.
Over the hill tho .... zip! I wouldn't get reception until I was back again.(BTW this is on ABC Melbourne, who don't seem to have the best transmission network on DAB+).

Fitted a Mobile One fibreglass pole type antenna(had to find an adapter for the SMA connector) and reception now drops in and out all the way to Ballarat(110klms) up to Kryal Castle, where it then completely drops.
At Gordon, in the forest(highest part of the freeway, but obscured from the city by hills and forest) I easily get full whack reception easily with the new antenna.