JDM RX-8 car radio
 

Hi Folks, got a big question here -

I got my parallel imported RX-8 2 weeks back. I'm happy with it except that the RX-8 car transmitter is a Japan made one (so I was told). It cant tuned to Singapore's 90FM Hz to 100FM Hz so anybody solved this problem? I do not want to replace the entire unit as it's wasteful. Any idea whether it's a software issue or a hardware one? Help appreicated!

you just need to get a "frequency booster" - not sure of thats the right name to call it.

Just head to most audio shops and they have it, inform them that you are driving a japan spec vehicle and they will handle the rest. its a gadget bout the size of a tic tac. :D

be warned that when you go to covered places like MSC, under flyovers, etc... you will get a bad reception or "worse" catch on to another channel. once you are back in the open it goes back to normal.

also b advised that the displayed frequencies on ur panel wil not tally with the actual radio frequency. therefore u just have to auto tune and listen out to what channels u are actually listening to.

Its commonly called a band expander, they sell thousands of them here in NZ because we have the same problem with used Japanese imports. It simply plugs in to your areil outlet. Your numbers are usually of by ten eg 98.2 is 88.2

Yes I realised that - I've to tune to 85 FMHz to listen to class 95 and I cant tune to 100.3 FMHz since the radio doesnt tune beyond 90 FMHz. Would the "frequency booster" the bro recommend able to solve the issue and allow me to tune all stations normally as before?

i'm not sure exactly how wide the radio booster (as the experts calls it) wil expand the frequencies but i'm in Malaysia and most of the channels i listen is below 100FM and at the moment i dun have a problem.

Yes I think I understand what you are saying - you have to tune to 98.2 Hz to listen to 88.2 Hz But is there anyway to display the exact frequency we want to hear? 88.2 Hz to listen 88.2 Hz?

Firstly, I think what you meant is the FM receiver, not a transmitter as it doesn't transmit.

For frequency band, I think it is a hardware as it involves the crystal on the motherboard of the receiver.

That is why a booster is needed to boost the frequency(hardware), instead of reflashing the chip(software).

Most PI cars in S'pore are given a booster of +12MHz I think. So tuning to Class 95 is FM83.0MHz, 98.7 is FM86.7MHz. U might wanna change ur +10MHz booster to the +12MHz one so that u can tune to 100.3MHz.

Best is to change the HU to the non-Japan one but it will cost ya...

^ what airspeed said. Change your HU, it doesn't have to be an aftermarket one, maybe you can order the HU from Mazda themselves?

Hmmm possible to really tune to class 95 FM @ FM95.0MHz without tuning to FM83.0MHz. Really hope not to change my Japan radio at all; waste of $

I think most of the PI cars have that problem. Mine says 83 when i'm tuned in to class 95. so just have to get used to the frequency thats displayed being 12MHz lower then what it's suppose to be.

Is there no way to see 95 when tuned to Class 95?

bro,

all the PI cars here have this problem, not limited to the 8, even other brands and models. if there was a solution, it would definitely have been discovered
by now. it's a matter of getting used to. if the reception is bad, switch to CD or
IPOD.

the solution is to install

1. Digital radio
2. Change to a non JDM original head unit(order from the internet)
(FYI the radio is made in Malaysia)

Don't bother with MM, they will tell u even if u pay double the price,
they also won't sell you.

I suspect you already have a "frequency expander", u just have to check if it's from New Zealand or China which is not as good.
If u have a RF CD changer, it worsens the reception.

Good luck to your quest!

I got my RX 8 radio module changed @ Swift Motion S$ 890/- plus installation. So now I can receive all the radio with RDS in SGP. It is a actual radio module that works for Asia region beside Japan domestic market. Price is very stiff but I can't live w/o a good radio transmission While driving.............. S.M. still have 1 more radio module left.

$890 is a bit stiff to upgrade the factory sound system.

An alternative for the same price is to buy a pod for a DIN and buy a head unit. Better recpetion, better function, better sound, etc.

Wah Bro, you trade in a radio for $890?! That's xxxxxxx! Anyhow you have any audio shop to recommend? Maybe I can ask them for advice. Thanxk you

Well I not knowledgeable with it comes to radio. I may have the frequency expander you mentioned as I did notice something, I'm able to tune in to station 88.3 @ 88.3FM. It's only the 90 - 100 I cant tune to exactly but have to tune down in order to listen. Like Class 95 @ 85FM. That what you meant for frequency expander? If that the case, maybe should increase the frequency expanders more then can listen to all the stations :rolleyes:

After reading all the post..... Does it mean that even if I change the stock antenna, it will not give me better reception? So the problem lies in the stock HU and not the stock antenna?

nope. but if you have vkool or a metallic film, the reception of the stock antenna is worse.

imo
i think if you seriously cannot live without radio, changing to digital radio will be the way to go but probably be quite exp.

yeah...i have the same problem man. .. even my ipod fm transmitter sux.
does it mean than the whole panel will be useless once i change the whole HU?

Bro, sorry ar.... your "nope" is in reply to the antenna question? Meaning it will be better if I change antenna?

I dun really need it to be crystal clear. At the moment, I am getting cross signals occassionally. And driving from 1 location to another, I have to switch station coz the reception of stations varies in different location.

might help a bit if you use an external antenna, ie those that stick vertically out.But if you have the stock antenna and vkool, there is nothing much you can do about it. generally do you get poor signals around the west or east side. I get poorer signals around the east. which seems pretty common.

Thanks for the clarification. hmm.... I get poor signals in East, town and west. Not sure if it is due to rain. Coz so far I have not driven without rain. Each time I get into the car(no rain), the moment I drive off, it starts to drizzle and then rain. @#$!%!@

I have no VKool or any other solar films yet. Just wondering if the Borsch antenna that sticks on the windscreen work better than stock, coz like many i dun fancy cutting a hole on the roof.