Here's the issue: i'd like to be able to control my car stereo while standing behind the car (ie by the trunk). My first thought was to purchase a remote for my deck, however, Alpine does not sell any compatible remotes for it (it's a 9825 FYI).

My second idea then is to mount a fixed "control" in the trunk somewhere. Ideally i'd like to be able to control volume and track forward/backward. Track seek would be nice as well, but i'll take what i can get.

Problem is, i have NO clue what i would need to make this happen. I did a little reading and research and found that the deck has some sort of alpine "Ai NET" buss of some sort that i can connect to other alpine products like CD changers. I reasoned that the deck would need to be able to send the CD changer signals like "next track and such " (output) but could it recieve signals back? (input). I'm unfamiliar with the architecture so i really would have no idea.

I took electronics in highschool and have a *basic* understanding of digital electronics as well as a few years of Compute Science, so i'm willing to develop my own circuits. Problem is, i'm not sure where to start.

First of all, does anyone have any ideas how i could accomplish this (volume, track, seek control in trunk).

Secondly, any one have any ideas or links to sites i could check out.

Thanks.

 

A little update...

I've been doing some more research and it seems Ai-NEt (while half-duplex) is a two-way connection. Given that, i've had a few more ideas...

Ai-NET > PC and setup the PC (along with other cool stuff) to have a control in the trunk.

Ai-NET > RF unit which enables an RF remote (probably some universal thing).

Anyways, just a few more ideas. I read that Alpine sells an auxillary input adaptor, but have been unable at locating anything remotly resembling one on thier website.

I've located a third party cable capable of inputting audio (RCA) and changer controls. It's $80. I'd probably and to build the control box for the trunk.

 

This is sort-of an old post but I will throw in my 2-cents anyway. You might try a marine receiver, Sony, Pioneer, Clarion and others make DIN marine receivers that are cosmetically and functionally similar to automotive receivers and have available full function wired remotes, some with display. I haven't known anyone to use it in the car (or need to control the stereo from the trunk for that matter) but it should work - just do the research and make sure that it is the proper size and 12V neg ground.

 

http://www.access-tech.net/productsRemoteCom.htm I could have sworn they made a unit that worked with an IR repeater/translator to control other makes of head units. I know for sure a guy with a pioneer deck was running one in a boat. No sense reinventing the wheel, just need to research the standard audio options available to you.

Chris