Custom Autosound USA 850 Radio User Manual

Thank you for purchasing a Custom Autosound radio. This AM/FM receiver is designed and manufactured for classic vehicles, reflecting over 45 years of customer feedback on features, compatibility, cosmetics, and quality components. Developed in a California audio research laboratory, this radio aims to provide the finest sound for your classic car.

Custom Autosound also offers a full line of speakers and speaker assemblies designed to fit original speaker areas without permanent vehicle modifications. Check their website for more information on speaker options and custom radio conversions for various makes and year groups.

Important Note: Do not return defective units to your dealer. Contact Custom Autosound directly for technical assistance. If a return is necessary, ship via UPS. Normal turnaround time is 7 business days plus shipping.

Radio Installation

This manual provides installation instructions and owner information. It is recommended to have the unit 'BENCH TEST' before installation. Disconnect the negative battery lead before installing any electronic equipment. Remove original knobs and shaft nuts, unplug wiring harnesses and antenna lead, then remove the old radio. Inspect the original radio for signs of water or oil damage, as this is not covered under the new radio warranty.

REAR MOUNTING STRAP OMISSION VOIDS WARRANTY!

Attach the rear mounting strap to the radio and install it from behind the dash. Secure the mounting strap to the dash or firewall. Attach shaft nuts to secure the radio, being careful not to over-torque. Once centered and secured, install the knobs.

Wiring Connections:

Red Wire (B+): Connect to a switched accessory fuse (OFF when ignition is OFF, ON when ignition is ON or accessory).
Yellow Wire (Memory B+): Connect to a fuse that is always ON to power the program memory and clock when the radio is off.
Blue Wire (Power Antenna): Connect to the positive switch terminal of the auto antenna relay or the remote on switch of an amplifier/booster. Important Notice for Semi Auto Antenna: Do not connect to semi-automatic antennas as this can damage the radio's circuit board.
Black Wire (Ground): Connect to a clean, paint-free area of the vehicle chassis for proper grounding.
Speaker Wires: Connect positive to positive and negative to negative terminals. A minimum of two speakers is required. Do not connect speaker leads to each other or to vehicle ground. Tape off unused speaker leads.

AUX Input: Use for portable devices with standard headphone outputs. The radio controls the volume for this input.

Low Level Output (Line Out Jacks): For connecting an amplifier. These RCA jacks are for front/rear/subwoofer and will not drive speakers.

Controls and Display

The USA 850 features front knobs and buttons for various functions. Refer to Figure 3 for control locations.

Radio Mode Operations:

Power On/Off: Press the left front knob.
Volume: Turn the left front knob (0-45).
Mode/Source Select: Turn the left rear knob to select Radio, USB, CDC, Bluetooth, or AUX.
TA (Traffic Announcement): Turn and hold the left rear knob clockwise to turn On/Off.
Clock On/View Song Info: Turn the left rear knob counter-clockwise.
Bluetooth: Turn the left rear knob counter-clockwise to accept calls; clockwise to end calls.
Preset 1 Recall/Store: Press to recall, press and hold to store.
Play/Pause: Press for USB/CDC/BT Audio.

USB/CDC/BT AUDIO Operations:

Preset 2-5 Recall/Store: Press to recall, press and hold to store.
Preview Scan: Press to play 10 seconds of each track.
Random: Press to randomly play tracks.
Select Folder/Disc: Use buttons (6)/(7) to navigate folders.
Next/Previous: Turn the right front knob.
Audio Adjust: Press the right front knob to access DSP/EQ, Bass, Mid, Treble, Balance, Fader, Loudness, and Subwoofer adjustments. Use the left front knob to select values.

System Menu:

Press and hold the right front knob for 3 seconds to access the sub-menu for adjusting DIMMER, LCD Color, Display Style, and other settings like DX/LOCAL, STEREO/MONO, BT ON/OFF, BEEP, CT ON/OFF, and VOLUME ADJUST/LAST.

Adjusting Sound Properties

Access the sound properties menu by pressing and releasing the right front knob. Scroll through options using the right front knob and adjust values with the left front knob.

EQ Setting:

Options include OFF, FLAT, CLASSIC, POP, and ROCK. Bass/Mid/Treble adjustments are available only when EQ is set to OFF.

Bass/Mid/Treble:

Adjust low, mid, and high frequencies from -12 to +12.

Balance/Fader:

Adjust the stereo sound balance between left and right speakers (0-20). Fader adjusts sound between front and rear speakers (0-20).

Loudness:

Boosts bass and treble according to volume. Recommended for low listening volumes.

Subwoofer Controls:

SUB LPF/L&R: Turn subwoofer RCA output ON. LPF for more bass, L&R for stereo output.
SUB VOL: Adjust subwoofer volume from 0-12.
SUB (Crossover): Adjust subwoofer crossover point (55Hz, 85Hz, 120Hz, 160Hz).

Bass/Mid/Treble X-Over:

Make detailed adjustments to specific frequencies (e.g., 60/80/100/120Hz for Bass) to fine-tune tonal adjustments.

Noise Suppression

If electrical noise is present, check ground connections, battery posts, spark plug and distributor leads, and factory noise suppressors. Consider installing a noise filter if necessary.

Sources of Electrical Noise:

Alternator Noise: High-pitched whine that varies with engine RPM.
Antenna Noise: Static or crackle, often present when the car is running.
Ignition Noise: Popping or crackling noise that varies with engine RPM and is present only when the engine is running.
Accessory Noise: Popping heard when accessories like lights or wipers are switched on.

Elimination:

For Alternator and Accessory Noise, install an L.C. Filter Network (minimum 3 amps) in the power leads. For Antenna Noise, test the antenna lead for breaks or shorts and replace if necessary. For Ignition Noise, inspect spark plug and distributor cables and consider an L.C. Filter Network.

Radio Specifications

FM Section: Tuner Type: PLL, Frequency Range: 87.5-107.9 MHz, Usable Sensitivity: 12.5dBf, Quieting Sensitivity: 4uV, T.H.D: 0.8%, IF Frequency: 10.7MHz, Sensitivity: 2.6V, S/N Ratio: 67dB, Capture Ratio: 1.5dB, Separation: 35dB.

AM Section: Frequency Range: 530-1710KHz, S/N Ratio: 50dB, Selectivity: 25dB, IF Frequency: 450KHz, Sensitivity: 20uV.

Audio Section: Output Channel: 45W X 4, Output Impedance: 4ohm per speaker, Response: 30Hz-18KHz, THD: 1%.

General: Power Supply: 12VDC Negative Ground, Speaker impedance: 2-8 ohm, Stand-By Current: <2mA, Chassis dimensions: 200mm(7-3/4")(w) X 50mm (2")(H) X 150mm (5-7/8")(D). System Power: Max 300 Watts. USB charging: max 1000mA.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Radio will not turn on. No lights, No sound.	Power Lead: Red wire (switched) not connected or power not getting to radio.	Check all connections for proper voltage (12-14.7 Volt).
	Power Lead: Yellow wire (constant) not connected or 12 volt not getting to radio.	Check all connections for proper voltage (12-14.7 Volt).
	Ground wire not connected.	Check for good ground connection on Black wire.
Lights displayed but no sound.	Fuse on the back of the radio blown.	Replace blown fuse.
	Problem with a speaker or speaker wire.	Verify speakers are 4-8 ohm. Check that speakers are not going to ground.
Sound only heard on one side.	Speaker wires disconnected. Balance control set to one side.	Check all connections. Adjust balance and fader control to center position.
	Bad speaker.	Reverse speaker leads at radio. If sound persists on one speaker, the other speaker is bad. Check wiring and fader control for other speaker.
Lights dim and radio distorts at high volume.	Poor ground connection.	Reconnect Ground wire to a solid chassis ground.
Noise with radio reception.	Antenna not fully extended. Car underneath fluorescent lights.	Extend antenna to full length. Move vehicle away from fluorescent lights.

System Reset:

Remove all power from the radio for 2 minutes, then reconnect power. All settings will revert to factory default.

Limited Warranty

Custom Autosound Mfg., Inc. warrants this product against defects in material or workmanship for a period of Two (2) Years for Parts and One (1) Year for Labor from the original purchase date. This warranty is extended to the original purchaser and covers new products only. Proof of original purchase is required for warranty service.

This warranty does not cover elimination of car static, motor noise, antenna problems, removal/reinstallation costs, or damage from alteration, mishandling, misuse, neglect, or accident. Implied warranties are limited to the duration of this written warranty. Custom Autosound is not liable for any loss or damage arising out of the use or inability to use this product.

Custom Autosound Mfg., Inc.
1030 Williamson Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92833
800-888-8637 | 714-773-1423 (FAX)

FCC Requirement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception, try to correct the interference by:

Reorienting or relocating the receiving antenna.
Increasing the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connecting the equipment into an outlet on a different circuit.
Consulting a dealer or experienced radio/TV technician.

This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits for an uncontrolled environment. Operate with a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.