Retro Sound, is it me? or the instructions?

[DPete]

Had to unhook the battery so the radio forgot everything, what a pia, finally got the clock set now I can't get the presets fixed. I'll admit I don't have all the patience in the world but it seems a little complicated to make a radio play.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by DPete

Had to unhook the battery so the radio forgot everything, what a pia, finally got the clock set now I can't get the presets fixed. I'll admit I don't have all the patience in the world but it seems a little complicated to make a radio play.

you are correct, these new radios are a PIA sometimes. When all else fails, contact the installer or a local radio shack.

[bosco]

Same issue as well with my Custom Autosound. Lose all the settings when the battery is disconnected. Not sure there is anything to fix this. I just reset. I use the Bluetooth and Amazon music most of the time, so no need for the presets at this time.

[joedoh]

one of the things I see the most common when guys install radios to GM vehicles, is they get the red and the yellow mixed up. in the aftermarket radio harness which should use SAE standard wire colors, red is ignition and yellow is 12v+. but in GM, especially ones with aftermarket harnesses, yellow is ignition and red or orange is 12v constant.

so you can see what happens, people hook red to red and yellow to yellow. since the radio needs both the ign and the 12V hot to turn on, it works, and when you turn the key off it turns off, but since there is no 12v on the 12v constant wire, the memory gets cleared. I used to be a stereo installer a million years ago and I fixed this 2-3 times a week.

so check. in a standard radio harness, red should be switched ign, yellow should be 12v constant. use a multimeter and find out if you have them switched.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by my56chevytruck

you are correct, these new radios are a PIA sometimes. When all else fails, contact the installer or a local radio shack.

Radio Shack? Ugh....riiight. Lol

[mongocanfly]

wish yall wasn't rough talkin retro-sound...I just ordered one...now you got me worried...haha..

[Jesse Z]

Would a car radio "memory saver" help? 9-volt battery is all it takes to keep your presets when power is disconnected.

[DPete]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

wish yall wasn't rough talkin retro-sound...I just ordered one...now you got me worried...haha..

It's a good radio, don't loose any sleep but think of me when you go to set it up LOL. The instructions could be better written for us old dudes.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by DPete

It's a good radio, don't loose any sleep but think of me when you go to set it up LOL. The instructions could be better written for us old dudes.

I have a Retro sound Apache and I have to agree, it's a PIA to get it all set. I found setting the clock to be the biggest aggravation, but other than that it's a great radio. I keep a thumb drive plugged into mine with a couple hundred songs on it and that's about all I listen to when I drive my truck.

[_Ogre]

it's not only retrosound, with my jvc i have to get the manual out everytime the battery dies to set the clock
i don't use presets, just a thumbdrive with 8gb of music on it

[gigamanx]

I'm actually meeting with RetroSound this week, so I'll bring this thread up for them to see. Maybe they can help some future customers.

[bowt1ed]

Thanks gigamanx. Not nearly ready to install mine, but would be interested in what they say. I also have an Apache for my 57.

Cheers, Jim

[scooterdup]

Just got my RetroSound Apache stereo installed. Works pretty well...once you figure out what knobs do what...little bit of a learning curve.
I have to check the wiring. Learned on test drive that activating turn signal turns off stereo, so something is not right.

[gigamanx]

Met with the owner. He was very informative. Told me about his history of working for audio companies in the past and his attention to quality in the RetroSound products. I actually think I'll have to get one of these now that I know the effort that goes behind materials and construction.

As for the wiring, he didn't have any input on what to try although a call to the support line will probably get you what you want quickly. He did also share the concern with AM/FM going away in the US in favor of a digital signal. I guess there aren't many radios with that capability yet, but interesting future-proofing concern for us buying equipment that hopefully will last us 10-20 years.

[Richard2112]

Retro Sound sounds like a royal PITA but I believe that's true of most. I bought a Kenwood a couple years ago and never installed it because I didn't have time to study the 42 page operators manual. It really shouldn't be a requirement to spend a weekend studying just to tune in the radio. Off/On/channel select. Why does it need to be anything more than that.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

.... Why does it need to be anything more than that.

Oh and by the way, Get the HELL off my lawn you damn kids!

Because modern radios DO more than turn onoff and tune stations.

[mongocanfly]

I'm with yall....on/off.....that's all I need...

glad your meeting went well gigi...I know sometimes it seems like all vendor's do is sell stuff....its up to you to figure it outside.....to me customer service is what sells me a lot of times

[Fred n' Ethel]

This is a cool post, thanks for putting it up !
Might get one of these for mine. Neat lookin' unit.
In all kindness .. "Retro Sound, is it me? or the instructions?" IMHO,it's you.
Hey ... you asked, didn't ya ?
The manual looks pretty straight fwd to me. Unless something happens contrary to the instructions, very well done.

Leaving the fuel tank behind the seat, where do you folks put the speakers ? How many and what type ? 70's classic rocker ..... of course
Thanks