13 Sounds

I was recently reminded of a chapter of the coupe history that happened ten years ago.

For Fathers' Day of 2002, Suzanne asked me if I Wanted a stereo for the hot rod. I said that I did,so we went to Car Toys to listen to their demo systems. As much as I love music, my hearing is not good enough to tell the difference between entry level and top quality sound. We settled on a Pioneer receiver, amplifier and 6 CD changer.

The salesman was a kid in his late teens. I described the business coupe and told him that there was no room for any of the equipment anywhere except behind the seat. He tried to listen to me, but it was clear from his glazed eyes and fidgiting that he had no clue what I was saying. He suggested that we look at the car. As we were walking toward it, he said "It's not a Honda. I don't know what to do with it." He went back inside the store and got an installer who knew where to place the units and speakers.

When the installation was done, the technician could not get the remote to work except by aiming it under the seat directly at the receiver. I returned the signal relay and kept the stereo. After all, changing the station was no more distracting than dialing a cell phone.

I later mentioned the problem to a salesman at SoundTrack. He tod me that home remote stereo systems operate on 12 volts. I said "Oh, do they?' and asked what I would need to use a home system in a car. I bought a single zone IR repeater system, a minisensor and a micro flasher. When I installed it, the system worked but the flasher beam was too narrow for reliable use in a car. I traded the flasher for a larger unit and the system has worked flawlessly ever since. The stereo remote is Velcroed to the car seat and aimed at the sensor under the dash. The sensor sends a signal by wire to thr repeater which operates the flasher aimed at the stereo.

Rube Goldberg yes, but I havent rearended anyone while changing CDs.