Radio Added to Model A

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by josh1331

Is there a service that can convert old radios to play mp3??josh

Yeah, it's called "gutting out and installing new internals."

Actually, it may be possible to go from an MP3 player directly as audio signal into the audio stages of a period radio: you're only utilizing the audio amplifier portion of the radio. The same is done today by using computer speakers with your MP3 player - or those stands you park your Iphone into to use it as a radio/sound system. (using term loosely.)

But why bother? Transistors are SOO much more efficient and convenient. The previous posters talked about a line-up of 64 AA batteries to make the voltage necessary to operate a vacuum tube - plus you still have the big power wasters in the incandescent filaments. Eniac the vacuum tube computer was not known for its computational energy efficiency - or it's reliability.

Getting an old radio box and recycling a new electronic radio into it may be the best/most convenient option: there is at least one Zenith box similar to my Mom & Dad's radio on Ebay right now for small money - you could hardly afford to reproduce such an item yourself for that cost.

But, like the Model A Ford, old radios have a charm about them - nothing represents my childhood fascination with radio as much as the glow in the dark, and the heat and smell of a period radio when it's operating.

But one has to choose their hobbies more on time value of effort than time value of money.

Joe K

[P.S.]

I have to respectfully take issue with part of your post, Joe.

But first, it is simple to add audio input to an old tube radio. You can either use an audio transformer, or since it's such a high impedance circuit, use resistor coupling to the audio stage. Usually, in the "All American Five" radios, the 12SQ7 is the first audio stage (as well as mixer and possibly ALC) and easy to tap. If you have a high level source, you can go directly to the 50L6 or 50C5 for the newer ones.

Transformer type radios are not practical for auto battery use, so I won't get into those. But an AA5 can be run off of batteries, even the 9-volt ones in series. They run for a really long time on batteries because due to the high voltages, the current drain is only a few milliamps. As mentioned, the Zenith Trans-O in the Tudor runs for literally hundreds of hours on a set of batteries. You can leave the radio on 24/7 for over 2 full weeks on 1 set of batteries. Now, if you only turn the radio on when in the car, and wanting to listen to the ignition system... Errr... I mean radio, then a set of batteries will corrode away long before they actually go dead.

As for the old radios vs. transistors: I have dozens of restored old radios at home, and they all work. Some are completely original electronics, some have been recapped and other parts replaced, but they all work and work well. The performance of an older radio over a newer one is without compare. The sound quality is almost always superior on the old radio over any newer one. The reliability of a radio that cost almost as much as a car in 1935 and built to last a lifetime cannot be compared to modern junk that is designed to live just long enough to not get returned to the store.

Being an electronics engineer, I am all too aware of the fragile nature of today's unreliable electronic components. How well do you think a radio made today with the most modern technology will be working 80 years from now? Not a chance! It's sure nice after a long day at work to come home and turn on a 70 or 80 year old radio and it still works just as good as the day it was made.

Clearing the soapbox now...

[SDJason]

I thought about adding an audio input to my radio, but decided that just getting a cheap FM transmitter and plugging it into an mp3 player was much easier...

[dan]

It's easy enough to do yourself. Here's mine: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39596

[TudooR31]

I'm thinking about scratch building a steering column controller and a speaker box mounted on the passenger firewall. Mock up a dial back lit by a 3W bulb wired to instrument lights. Run wires through fabric loom. I have access to a laser cutter, etcher at FabLab on our university grounds to add some Deco design elements to the controller and the speaker grill. Find some old radio knobs. Structure could be Masonite with textured paper coverings, paint satin black. Speaker box would hinge open to house a small battery powered CD player. Drop in some period music, set the volume & shut door. The car will probably drown it out but could be fun project.

[Del in NE Ohio]

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needing tunes, i installed a jbl marine radio (am/fm/cd) in the pan under the front seat of my town sedan..speakers hidden under the rear arm rests (mounted behind panel), speakers in front kick panels (visible). I have a dual guage bracket on the steering column. One hole contains my temp guage and the other hole contains the controller for the radio (volume, scan, band) the controller fits in any 2" guage hole and is weatherproof.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by P.S.

I have to respectfully take issue with part of your post, Joe.
Clearing the soapbox now...

Yup, despite my advocacy of transistors over VTs, I'm an afficionado too.

And one of the NICE things about discrete component electronics is that you can FIX IT. When have you heard of anyone "fixing" an integrated circuit - or even a transistor radio? (although up to about 1970 this was possible too.)

I love my Model A at least in part because it can be fixed. NOTHING throws grit in my emotional bearings more than not being able to do it myself. And unfortuately for the American consumer, automobiles are now among the "no-touch-em."

Well, there are exceptions - I bought the software to do the computer on my 2003 VW TDI and now I can do pretty much anything necessary for that car and have done all major service work including new timing belt and electrical issues (on VW these are legion.) The only part I won't touch is the "immoblize" function since one needs the VID identified Key from VW to non-immobilize - and only VW has it (although they will provide if you ask nicely - but this only after a lawsuit by remote key makers.)

But I won't touch my Prius - although this is becoming better known on the Internet and I'm getting tempted.

And I won't talk about the guy to came to fix my KitchenAid dishwasher under warranty and ended up replacing the entire motherboard - when the actual issue was the $1.69 fuse (from radio shack) that burned out because the maker didn't provide enough ventilation in the front panel (as I learned later.) I wish I had kept the original 1983 KitchenAid dishwasher - the one that had an actual mechanical timer.

I do think a period correct radio is nice. I'd love to have that "old allegator" (above) that was my Mom & Dad's when they were dating. But the charm in using would be the charm in using - like driving the Model A.

Part of my pleasure is repairing/restoring the Model A too. And likely the same for an old radio.

But one thing at a time - at least for now while I'm still in the job-market.

Maybe later. I don't think there will be a shortage of Zenith WaveMagnet tube portable radios for a while yet. There are like 6 on Ebay as I write this.

Hmm. There actually is a honey of one right now. It looks like it came out of a time capsule...and it works!...

Dern you all - made me look.

Joe K

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Joe K

... I wish I had kept the original 1983 KitchenAid dishwasher - the one that had an actual mechanical timer...

Ever since Hobart sold off their KitchenAid brand, they have gone steadily downhill. No longer considered "Cream-of-the-crop" as my Dad use to say.

[Keith True]

I have a repro radio made in the early 70's to fit the A.They were advertised in Cars and Parts for somewhere around $30.Somebody in the family got it for me for Christmas in 1972.It's just a little box that bolts to the column,AM only and the speaker is in it.At the time FM here was mostly a big empty dial.There were a couple of part time cowboy music stations,and a couple full time elevator music stations.Three years later FM was packed here.I've had thoughts about having an FM put into the little old AM box I have,a local fellow likes those jobs,he said he would install what I wanted for $80.using the same knobs and dial.It is probably a waste for me to do that though,I only listen the satellite radio anyway.I have a ghetto blaster that takes the satellite receiver,and eight batteries in it seem to last.I just throw it on the seat,hang the magnetic antenna outside and go.