Stop me if you've heard this one before...

In my efforts to get the fabled "speed volume" functional, I was directed by someone at MINI USA to the maintenance modes on the stereo.

For those of you who don't know, you can get into this mode by turning off and on your head unit and then holding down the M button for about 10 seconds. It soon displays (I'm working from memory here, so I might get it wrong) the device serial number (S/N) you use the rightmost "- -" toggle to switch to different menu items. SOme are merely informational (DSP), some are test modes (there's one that seems to activate the screen graphics) and some do stuff. For instance the GAL item is the speed sensitive volume control. It comes set at 3 but can be changed from 1 to 6 where 6 is the maximum. Some web-based investigations, have led me to understand that on this unit, the speed sensitive volume actually only adjusts the bass and it typically kicks in at speeds higher than 50 mph.

Another screen is the T PV screen which adjusts the traffic report volume which is some feature not supported 'round here in which traffic news is automatically broadcast and played on your unit over top of of whatever you are listening to. The TP V adjusts the relative volume of the traffic bulletins to your source (CD, radio).

There is also a geographical use screen (USA, CANADA, whatever) which does some local adjustments to the tuning and display suitable for your cultural predilictions.

And there is a signal strenth and sensitivity screen which can be used to show you how well a particular radio station is coming in - but wouldn't that be obvious by simply listening? The screen shows the radio station you are listening to and two 2 digits numbers after it that indicate the strength and sensitivity.

After you change any of the settings you need to turn off the unit to save them. When you turn it back on, it will remember your last selected settings.

But, finally, there is the mysterious AF screen. AF has 4 options: OFF, MAN, AUTO and AUTONOPI. What I want to know is whether anyone knows what the heck AF is. I have mucked about with it thinking it had something to do with the steering wheel volume/scan control but cannot detect that it changes anything. Any gadget sleuths care to give it a shot?

 

I sure wish there was a source level control so the CD was as loud as the radio!!!

 

EDIT: the link had dead links. Sorry. Will do more research...

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:5...ient=firefox-a

 

Check out: http://cooperspeed.com/forums/article.php?a=10 Looks like this thread and that thread have comperable info.

 

NOTE: This info is *not* specific to the HK system - it applies to all Boost head units (the base USA spec).

 

Look!!!

Alternative Frequencies (AF)
Offers clear FM reception as you travel by automatically retuning your current FM station to a best quality alternative frequency when reception becomes weak. This eliminates the need for any awkward manual retuning. All pre-programmed radio stations are also updated for instant access to your listening choice.

PI
Program Identification codes displayed using the RDS function

Now I need to experiment to see how the functionality is affected by the settings. I do suspect that OFF turns off the function (duh!)

 

Very cool Where did you find it?

 

I think you won't find much benefit for "AF" in USA ... this is a great feature in England where the BBC stations transmit nationwide, covering the country with lots of different frequencies. The RDS data indicates the alternate frequencies so the radio can check signal levels and choose the best transmission as you drive.
Here in USA I don't think there are many stations that transmit far enough to need more than a single transmitter.

 

I wonder...when I lived in NJ I would often drive from the northern end of the state to the southern end and listen to NPR (NJN - the New Jersey Network) the whole way. I'd probably have to adjust the radio 6 times to find the local NPR broadcast. Perhaps th AF function would work in in that case?

Carol

 

There's a DC station that broadcasts on 3 frequencies 2 FM and 1 AM, and this function doesn't work with them. They do broadcast both RDS and PTY data. So I wouldn't hold too much hope that this really works in the US....

 

Right here:

http://freespace.virgin.net/adrian.j.../glossary2.htm


The question is: who has less of a life - the guy who invested the time to investigate and post that stuff or the guy who invested the time to be able to find it :smile:

 

Thanks neilgj! I had almost resigned to the idea that the speed volume was simply not an option that could be adjusted on my 2 week old MCS convertible, so I can't wait to try out your instructions! Those of us with convertibles stand to benefit much more from this feature due to all of the wind noise when the top is down (which is almost always)

- John

 

John,

You are welcome to experiment with the "GAL" setting but if you have an H/K system the setting will have no effect.

 

I wonder if this works for stations like NHPR or VPR?

Whenever I drive to/from Manchester NH and Lebanon NH, I have to scan a few times to find the best station for NHPR.

 

Anyone know if the Traffic modes are supported in the us? Specifically Los Angeles?