Does a USA radio / cd work in the UK?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jenks
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jenks

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I am about to buy a car radio / CD unit from the USA, I presume that they use the same frequecies?

I wouldn't normally not bother but I am saving about £500.00 so it's worth it

Andrew
 
Careful!!

Things might have changed in recent years and it may depend on the model, but when I last looked (quite a while ago I admit), the 'steps' in the frequencies were not the same. So it was difficult/impossible to accurately tune to a UK station.

Might be worth looking at the manual online if you can find it. Alternatively, check out a UK one, make notes of the frequencies/steps and compare when on-site in USA.

CD should be fine.

Oh yes - check that it's a DIN fitting - including connector blocks at back.

Good luck.
 
Generally in the USA frequency searches are in .2hz increments on the odd decimal 90.1, 90.3, 90.5 etc. In Ireland and England most radio station frequencies are on the even decimal 90.2, 90.4, 90.6 etc. So unless the radio can search in .1hz increments or .2hz increments on the even decimal you will not be able to tune into a station. Some radios have secret buttons to allow you change this.

Hope this helps.
 
Quite correct. The fequencies are different in the USA. When my family moved over, all radio's we owned that could not be changed from Euro to US had to be sold/given away.
 
I'm not sure that many US radios have RDS/EON yet. The seem slow in adopting new technology - especially if not of US origin.

Greg
 
You certainly wont be able to pick up US stations from here :D
 
....and the warranty won't be worth a thing if it's an imported model. the manufacturer won't want to know you if you have a problem with it. Also not sure if the CD format will be the same so by all accounts you could be getting yourself a lot of hassle .
What kind of radio/cd player is it ?
 
Thank you for that, I knew it wouldn't be simple.

If there are any who knows their sterio's I would really appreciate your imput.

What I want to do is fit a radio / CD unit to one off my bikes (HD tourer) It came with the wiring harness and switch gear on the handlebars (for volume and station search)

HD want over £1K for a crap system, but there is a firm in the states doing Sony upgrades (CDX GT400) or as on my bike the complete system, including a water proof cover, water proof speakers etc.

I could buy a unit here and ship it over but that will cost about £100 in shipping so if I could avoid it I will.

Everyone in the fitting business says they don't know, I think all you need is the right plug that tranlates what the handlebars are saying and convert that into Sony speak. Does this make any sence.

Andrew
 
jenks said:
Everyone in the fitting business says they don't know, I think all you need is the right plug that tranlates what the handlebars are saying and convert that into Sony speak. Does this make any sence.

Andrew
Click to expand...

Yes that makes sense you need the right ISO connector - it's normally a sort of largish block connector with various wires coming out of it . I would expect any half decent installer to be able to provide you or get for you the necessary connector.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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