chockymonster

All,

thinking of buying a Rockford Fosgate MP3 head unit from the states because it works out about £300 cheaper!
Anyone done this? Also, will I have any problems with radio frequencies etc?

chiark

Radio frequencies: yes, you will have problems unless the unit is configurable for european operation. As has been discussed quite often, I believe the US only uses .2 gaps in the bandwidth, wereas we use something different. Someone will no doubt correct my ignorance

Check if the unit is configurable, or destined for the EU...

TBMeech

Unfortunately Chiark is correct, you need to check if the headunit has 'switchable' frequencies as the US FM steps are different to ours, unless you don't listen to the radio you'll be fine, otherwise you're gonna be stuffed, I looked into this as I wanted a Nakamichi MB100 and could save over £400 on UK prices but at the cost of not using the radio - Gutted

TBMeech

Here we go

Frequency Range:
U.S.A: 87.5-107.9 MHz in 200 kHz steps
Other Areas: 87.5-108.0 MHz in 50 kHz steps

AM Tuner Section
Frequency Range:

U.S.A: 530-1,710 kHZ in 10 kHz steps
Other Areas: 531-1,602 kHz in 9 kHz steps

all from www.nakamichi.com

Hope this helps

chockymonster

TBM
Know what you mean on the Nak.
I've got an MB100 sitting in my cupboard doing nothing!
That's expensive shelf space :-)

stevenuk300

I bought a Kenward Mask unit about 6 years agao, and was told only Aiwa and JVC radio frequencies will work in the UK. Wasn't too worried about the radio, but once it was fitted I could pick everything up on .1 out. 97.6 can be picked up on 97.5 or 97.7 etc.

TBMeech

Chocky,

You got one sitting about doing nothing but collecting dust??? Are you insane? lol!

Top unit, one of the best imho....

Alberick

Don't know if it helps but I recently installed a Panasonic unit from Japan.
I can receive 1 single radio station, the problem is that the frequency ''band'' stops at 89.9 Mhz and then starts again at 76.0 Mhz. But then again I'm not from the UK......

So, since the US ones have a wider band I don't see a problem, but then again I don't know anything about these things....I was just surprised that my new unit catches at leat 1 radio station.......

TBMeech

Alberick, You need a fm band expander mate, that will sort your radio out to the EU recognised frequencies, problem with the US ones it not the frequency but the way it steps in khz...

Alberick

Oh, I didn't know the US ones are somewhat special...I asked a guy here at the office who imported a Corvette from the US once and he said he didn't have any problem to listen to the radio...but maybe his radio was already 'converted'' without him knowing it??

Yes, I heard about those FM expanders but that's ok for me I *never* listen to the radio, so that one station I receive is already enough for me....

chockymonster

Yep,
I bought it for competition use only, it was bought in June 2000 used 4 times in the car for about an hour a shot and not been used since December 2000!
Pretty scary when you think the retail is £1000 and it's had 4 hours use.

I'll get around to selling it one of these days.