Home and Car Audio Answers

Question: Does RadioShack sell a 1/4", 1/8" or 3/32" stereo switchbox?

Answer: RadioShack does not sell an audio switchbox specifically for stereo plugs. However, you can assemble a box which will allow you to switch between 1/4" and 1/8" sources using the following box and adapters. Unfortunately, we do not have the adapters required to do this for 3/32" plugs.

Audio Switch Box (such as the Audio Control Center, Cat. No. 42-2112)

Adapter Plugs to convert the 1/4" or 1/8" plug into two RCA Jacks

Appropriate lengths of A/V Patch cable to connect the devices to the switch box and the switch box to your receiver/amplifier.

Plug the appropriate adapter (above) into the jack on your stereo plug device. Then, use A/V pach cord to connect the device to the switch box and the switch box to your main system.

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Question: Is it all right to stack the components in my home audio system?

Answer: The major considerations when stacking components are stability and circulation. As long as you do not block the air vents or the circulation path, you can stack your audio/video components.

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Question: Will my AC audio equipment work in Europe (or other areas outside of the United States)?

Answer: Unless the system specifically indicates that it is for use outside of the United States, it should not be used outside of the country. Differences in voltage and frequency can damage the system or cause unpredictable errors in operation. RadioShack audio equipment is designed for use in the US only.

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Question: One of the buttons or dials is sticking; how do I clean it?

Answer: We suggest that you use an electrical contact cleaner.

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Question: How can I use my car audio equipment on AC power?

Answer: You would need to select a 12 VDC power supply which provides at least the required wattage.

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Question: How do I wire my car audio equipment and what are the pinouts?

Answer: Check our on-line car stereo manuals to see if the information for your radio is available on-line. If you do not find your stereo, you can get standard wiring and pinouts for most RadioShack systems by selecting the description which best describes the connections on your radio. If the description does not seem to match what you are working with, you would need to contact our Customer Support department. The "SKU Number" refers to the catalog number of your stereo. It should be a number starting with 12- or 120- (or 14-/140- for some car cassette decks).

Plug/Male
2-Channel System

2-Channel / 4-Channel
Switchable System

4-Channel
System

5-pin DIN
Connector

* Indicates that the wire may or may not be present, depending on the features of the radio.

Plug/Male 2-Channel System

Pin Number Wire Color(s) Wire Specs Label Comments
1 White & Black AWG #20
2P Cord Front L- Strip Solder
2 Gray & Black AWG #20
2P Cord Front R- Strip Solder
3
4
5 Black AWG #20 Ground 6.3mm r Fork Terminal
6 Orange & White * AWG #20 Dimmer Strip Solder
7 Pink & White * AWG #20 Phone Mute Strip Solder
8 White AWG #20
2P Cord Front L+ Strip Solder
9 Gray AWG #20
2P Cord Front R+ Strip Solder
10
11
12 Red AWG #20 +12 V to Ignition 250/1A Fuse &
24M/M Trans.
Strip Solder
13 Yellow AWG #20 +12 V to Battery 250/1A Fuse
Strip Solder
14 Dark Blue & White AWG #20 Amp Remote On
500 mA Maximum
+12 V Output Wire Banding and
Tube Heating

2-Channel / 4-Channel Switchable System

Pin Number	Wire Color(s)	Wire Specs	Label	Comments
1	White & Black	AWG #20 2P Cord	Front L-	Strip Solder
2	Gray & Black	AWG #20 2P Cord	Front R-	Strip Solder
3	Green & Black	AWG #20 2P Cord	Rear L-	Strip Solder
4	Violet & Black	AWG #20 2P Cord	Rear R-	Strip Solder
5	Black	AWG #20	Ground	6.3mm r Fork Terminal
6	Orange & White *	AWG #20	Dimmer	Strip Solder
7	Pink & White *	AWG #20	Phone Mute	Strip Solder
8	White	AWG #20 2P Cord	Front L+	Strip Solder
9	Gray	AWG #20 2P Cord	Front R+	Strip Solder
10	Green	AWG #20 2P Cord	Rear L+	Strip Solder
11	Violet	AWG #20 2P Cord	Rear R+	Strip Solder
12	Red	AWG #20	+12 V to Ignition	250/1A Fuse & 24M/M Trans. Strip Solder
13	Yellow	AWG #20	+12 V to Battery	250/1A Fuse Strip Solder
14	Dark Blue & White	AWG #20	Amp Remote On 500 mA Maximum +12 V Output	Wire Banding and Tube Heating

4-Channel System

Pin Number Wire Color(s) Wire Specs Label Comments
1 White & Black AWG #20
2P Cord Front L- Strip Solder
2 Gray & Black AWG #20
2P Cord Front R- Strip Solder
3 Green & Black AWG #20
2P Cord Rear L- Strip Solder
4 Violet & Black AWG #20
2P Cord Rear R- Strip Solder
5 Black AWG #20 Ground 6.3mm r Fork Terminal
6 Orange & White * AWG #20 Dimmer Strip Solder
7 Pink & White * AWG #20 Phone Mute Strip Solder
8 White AWG #20
2P Cord Front L+ Strip Solder
9 Gray AWG #20
2P Cord Front R+ Strip Solder
10 Green AWG #20
2P Cord Rear L+ Strip Solder
11 Violet AWG #20
2P Cord Rear R+ Strip Solder
12 Red AWG #20 +12 V to Ignition 250/1A Fuse &
24M/M Trans.
Strip Solder
13 Yellow AWG #20 +12 V to Battery 250/1A Fuse
Strip Solder
14 Dark Blue & White AWG #20 Amp Remote On
500 mA Maximum
+12 V Output Wire Banding and
Tube Heating

5-pin DIN Connector

Front Connections Rear Connections
Wire Color Label Wire Color Label
Green Right + Green & Black Right +
White Right - White & Black Right -
Brown Left + Brown & Black Left +
Gray Left - Gray & Black Left -
Red +12 V Power

Other Connections
Wire Color Label
Orange S.P.L.
Black Ground
Red & White Memory Backup

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