cdr220 radio--auxiliary function for skydock xm radio
 

Hi all,

1.I'm considering getting a skydock so I can listen to xm radio in particular for hair metal and boneyard, after enjoyed it so much on a rental, and I don't want to replace the original porsche radio, model cdr 220.

2.My understanding with the skydock is that it is a docking unit, retail $70-120, that then takes an either ipod or iphone to act a a receiver for the xm radio.

3.The problems with the 'skydock' I've read about are that (my understanding anyway) reception can be tricky with static if you're reliant on the iphone for connection (i.e. 3 bars, 4 bars on the ipod/iphone receiver). However, if you have an auxiliary function to your car radio, then you can have digital input, by connecting the skydock directly to your radio, and the reception problem is solved (I think).

4.So, fortunately, the cdr220 porsche radio has an auxiliary function key. Apparently, you have to buy some cable install it in the back of the radio unit, and presto, auxiliary function activated.

5.To activate the auxiliary function, you press the TP button on the radio for 8 seconds, until you get a 'becker' menu. Then you turn your tuning knob until you see 'auxillary.' Then you push either on or off as indicated by the radio screen.

My question now: I didn't install any wires in back of the radio yet, haven't even looked behind it. However I did the TP button thing for 8 seconds (point 5 above), and got to the auxilliary function, and activated it. The fact that I was able to do that, does that mean my cdr220 auxilliary function is already in place (i.e. I don't have to get these wires and tinker with radio body removal?)

Anyone try a skydock on their boxster or have any recommendations for satellite radio?

Thanks,

Hi there. I just put up an article documenting this whole process:

Pelican Technical Article: Changing Your Stereo Head Unit / Installing Ipod Integration - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-08)

All you need are the CD Player connectors for the back of the radio. You can order them from Becker USA (along with the radio removal tools), or just get a used set from eBay or some place like that. Use the wiring diagram in the article to figure out exactly what pins you need to wire up to the AUX OUT connections from your XM Satellite output. Simple as pie!

-Wayne

wayne, you're ahead of the game as usual! Quick question--so if i'm able to cycle through to the auxilliary function, does that mean that the wires necessary are already back there?

The reason i ask is, i could buy the skydock, and ipod/iphone, and see if it works on the auxiliary, without buying the cables and going through the torture of pulling out the radio.

also...further read your post...didn't know the cdr-220 boxster radio was considered archaic....maybe i should get a whole new radio as you did. i was also actually looking at a pioneer similar to the one described by yourself on your post as well for my 2001 boxster s. Are these radio's pretty compatible with all boxster models?

It's in the article. You sound like you haven't done this before, so I'll sketch it out from step one. The iPod and your XM won't work with your radio if they are not plugged into the radio. You need to install the unit, tie it into the car's electrical supply, and then tie it to the inputs on the back of the radio. Basically, if you have the correct plugs for the CD Player, then you can use the wires from those plugs to link it up with the XM unit. To get iPod integration, one solution is to install the unit that I did in that article.

It's not exactly tricky, but it can be confusing if you haven't done it before. I would probably have a stereo shop perform the installation if you haven't done something like this before...

Hope this helps,

Wayne