The Ford Barn

FrankWest · 10-08-2015, 05:15 PM

What are your experiences operating and original radio in your antique car?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTQyyhZXO8M

waterboychuck · 10-08-2015, 05:21 PM

I turned a knob and didn't have to pull a string.

petehoovie · 10-08-2015, 05:43 PM

I avoid operating the radio in my '34 when the engine is not running....Those old vacuum tubes draw 8+ amps....

CaliforniaBorn36 · 10-08-2015, 06:09 PM

Since it is AM only, not much to listen to mostly news talk radio.

At least with the set up they are using they don't have to worry about polarity and voltage reducers

FrankWest · 10-08-2015, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaBorn36

Since it is AM only, not much to listen to mostly news talk radio.

At least with the set up they are using they don't have to worry about polarity and voltage reducers

A guy on ebay sells a device that will convert your old AM radio into FM..So you can hear the am stations.

FrankWest · 10-08-2015, 07:29 PM

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I have a collection of antique radios. It fascinated me the thought of putting an antique radio into my car..The old tube radios from the 20s and 30s have a real unique tone about them. It is a base quality that sets them apart. Modern radios just don't have it.
But, I hope I can run the radio while the car is running without drawing too much current?

Pete · 10-08-2015, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankWest

What are your experiences operating and original radio in your antique car?

When I was in college in the mid 50's I had a 32 Ford coupe.
I was into 2 way radio at the time also. Being interested in radios in general I decided I wanted a broadcast radio in the car. I found a 36 Ford radio in a wrecking yard and cobbled it in under the dash with the control head taped to the steering column. I stuck the antenna on the side cowl.
The girls I dated were amazed we could sit for 3 or 4 hours at the Queen Anne Hill overlook with the radio going and the engine off and still have plenty of battery to start and get home.

Kahuna · 10-08-2015, 08:12 PM

Kinda off topic a bit, but maybe some of you radio guys know:
The AM radio works ok, but can a smart tech type guy add a "port"
so I can just plug in an Ipod to play my music?
Seems like it wouldn't be that hard, but I don't know much of Radios

Pete · 10-08-2015, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Kinda off topic a bit, but maybe some of you radio guys know:
The AM radio works ok, but can a smart tech type guy add a "port"
so I can just plug in an Ipod to play my music?
Seems like it wouldn't be that hard, but I don't know much of Radios

Yes.

Joe Immler · 10-08-2015, 08:29 PM

When I bought my '41 Ford 16 years ago it had a radio but the antenna which came through the dash and up the windshield divider and then out to the roof was missing. The antenna that the old guy had was about 10 feet of coat hanger wire twisted together and running back and forth under the left running board !! I could only get one 5,000 watt A.M. station. I did hear various rythom's of static on the other channels. I took it out and put blank off plates on the dash. Didn't want to drill a hole through the roof. I put duals and Smithy's on it and listen to that sweet music instead.

FrankWest · 10-08-2015, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Kinda off topic a bit, but maybe some of you radio guys know:
The AM radio works ok, but can a smart tech type guy add a "port"
so I can just plug in an Ipod to play my music?
Seems like it wouldn't be that hard, but I don't know much of Radios

The same guy on ebay sells an am transmitter for 50 bucks that will transmit anything tapes, cd etc into the antenna of you car radio.
I bought one and plan to pipe 1930s music and radio programs into my car radio. No electrically connections to the radio are required, because the signs are picked up up on you car antenna.

mrtexas · 10-08-2015, 08:41 PM

My 36 woodie is 12v. I got an empty 36 radio box and bought an AM/FM radio conversion that is hooked to the 36 radio knobs. The new radio is hidden inside the 36 radio box. Works OK although I am not completely satisfied with it due to design features of the radio, often when the radio is turned on it can't find the station it last was tuned in to. This is a feature of the Antique Automobile Radio Inc. am/fm circuit board. Supposedly a newer board is better but I bought two of the old setups/conversions one for the 36 Ford and another for the 63 Corvette and they were very expensive. They are not as good as an aftermarket radio. http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/stereo.htm

Mike in AZ · 10-08-2015, 10:15 PM

Kahuna, i think if you google what you are looking for....or even look on youtube, you'll find someone who has done it and will show you how to do it...i think it has been discussed on the HAMB, with someone showing how to convert/add to am/fm radio to plug in your ipod, etc....good luck....Mike

Drbrown · 10-09-2015, 12:40 AM

In my internet favorites I have about ten radio rehab company's that can do about anything you want to your radio, often using the original chassis. Not inexpensive tho. Old Henry has a special set up in his Ford - search him in the forums to find. I think he uses an MP3 player.

big job · 10-09-2015, 07:12 AM

Just rambling, when I worked for a bus co. my company car was a 1949 fordor I drove
many a years. What sticks out in my mind was, that radio picked up stations thousands
miles away. Wheeling W.Va bombed in like next door. W- INS in NY Arnold woo woo
Ginsburg remember him, bombed in like next door. Another thing I won't forget was
instrument gauges glowed or was like neon: Impressive. Also the car 6Vt pos gr had a
quite massive two way Motorola radio (in the trunk). Oh yea I'm guilty of breaking couple starter
bendix's cause you couldn't hear or feel the motor running 8BA with overdrive too.
I left the co. in 1977 and all now is gone. I think It had a Leece Neville alternator or
something, most likely that the Motorola dealer installed..............

wbedwards · 10-09-2015, 07:54 AM

There is a post on the HAMB showing how to add a input for the MP3 players to an old am radio, but I haven't tried it on mine yet and for some reason I can't find the post either.

Mike51Merc · 10-09-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Kinda off topic a bit, but maybe some of you radio guys know:
The AM radio works ok, but can a smart tech type guy add a "port"
so I can just plug in an Ipod to play my music?
Seems like it wouldn't be that hard, but I don't know much of Radios

I did it. I have an iPod/Phone line feeding my 6V Motorola. There was a website that gave me the instructions, but I can't find the website anymore.

Even without the website it's actually pretty simple. The volume control potentiometer has three terminals and it basically controls the throughput of the tuner to the amp. You want to disconnect the tuner and connect your iPod connection to the amp. You can figure out which two (of the three) wires you want by desoldering all three and experimenting, or by tracing the path of the wires to the tuner and the amp respectively.

Your radio is mono and your modern input is stereo, so you have to connect the left and right channels together. You need to put resistance inline between the L&R so they don't short out. I think a 1K ohm on each before they join is the way to go.

FrankWest · 10-09-2015, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big job

Just rambling, when I worked for a bus co. my company car was a 1949 fordor I drove
many a years. What sticks out in my mind was, that radio picked up stations thousands
miles away. Wheeling W.Va bombed in like next door. W- INS in NY Arnold woo woo
Ginsburg remember him, bombed in like next door. Another thing I won't forget was
instrument gauges glowed or was like neon: Impressive. Also the car 6Vt pos gr had a
quite massive two way Motorola radio (in the trunk). Oh yea I'm guilty of breaking couple starter
bendix's cause you couldn't hear or feel the motor running 8BA with overdrive too.
I left the co. in 1977 and all now is gone. I think It had a Leece Neville alternator or
something, most likely that the Motorola dealer installed..............

Great story... Brings an almost mystical quality..
These old radios had were not as precise tuning and different characteristics that enabled them to sometimes bring in other stations and frequencies that are too easily filtered out with today's radios.
In Today's radios Vacuum tubes were replaced with transistors. The transistor can perform the same functions but are they really the same?
I remember learning that Russian fighter aircraft employed Tiny Vaccum tubes in their circuits rather than the semiconductors that we used. Did they do this because that could not get the semiconductors or was it because vacuum tubes have properties that semiconductors do not have.

wbedwards · 10-09-2015, 08:25 AM

found it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...-radio.300222/

rotorwrench · 10-09-2015, 10:04 AM

Vacuum tubes are resistant to EMP burst from nuclear weapons detonations or high energy weapons.

10-08-2015, 05:15 PM	#1
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,005	Cars with original radios What are your experiences operating and original radio in your antique car? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTQyyhZXO8M

10-08-2015, 05:21 PM	#2
waterboychuck Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Nine Mile Falls,WA Posts: 900	Re: Cars with original radios I turned a knob and didn't have to pull a string. __________________ The sign of a good craftsman is how well they cover up their mistakes.

10-08-2015, 05:43 PM	#3
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,143	Re: Cars with original radios I avoid operating the radio in my '34 when the engine is not running....Those old vacuum tubes draw 8+ amps.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

10-08-2015, 06:09 PM	#4
CaliforniaBorn36 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 427	Re: Cars with original radios Since it is AM only, not much to listen to mostly news talk radio. At least with the set up they are using they don't have to worry about polarity and voltage reducers

10-08-2015, 07:29 PM	#6
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,005	Re: Cars with original radios Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a collection of antique radios. It fascinated me the thought of putting an antique radio into my car..The old tube radios from the 20s and 30s have a real unique tone about them. It is a base quality that sets them apart. Modern radios just don't have it. But, I hope I can run the radio while the car is running without drawing too much current?

10-08-2015, 08:12 PM	#8
Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,617	Re: Cars with original radios Kinda off topic a bit, but maybe some of you radio guys know: The AM radio works ok, but can a smart tech type guy add a "port" so I can just plug in an Ipod to play my music? Seems like it wouldn't be that hard, but I don't know much of Radios

10-08-2015, 08:29 PM	#10
Joe Immler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 783	Re: Cars with original radios When I bought my '41 Ford 16 years ago it had a radio but the antenna which came through the dash and up the windshield divider and then out to the roof was missing. The antenna that the old guy had was about 10 feet of coat hanger wire twisted together and running back and forth under the left running board !! I could only get one 5,000 watt A.M. station. I did hear various rythom's of static on the other channels. I took it out and put blank off plates on the dash. Didn't want to drill a hole through the roof. I put duals and Smithy's on it and listen to that sweet music instead.

10-08-2015, 08:41 PM	#12
mrtexas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 4,395	Re: Cars with original radios My 36 woodie is 12v. I got an empty 36 radio box and bought an AM/FM radio conversion that is hooked to the 36 radio knobs. The new radio is hidden inside the 36 radio box. Works OK although I am not completely satisfied with it due to design features of the radio, often when the radio is turned on it can't find the station it last was tuned in to. This is a feature of the Antique Automobile Radio Inc. am/fm circuit board. Supposedly a newer board is better but I bought two of the old setups/conversions one for the 36 Ford and another for the 63 Corvette and they were very expensive. They are not as good as an aftermarket radio. http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/stereo.htm Last edited by mrtexas; 10-08-2015 at 08:52 PM.

10-08-2015, 10:15 PM	#13
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: Cars with original radios Kahuna, i think if you google what you are looking for....or even look on youtube, you'll find someone who has done it and will show you how to do it...i think it has been discussed on the HAMB, with someone showing how to convert/add to am/fm radio to plug in your ipod, etc....good luck....Mike

10-09-2015, 12:40 AM	#14
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Cars with original radios In my internet favorites I have about ten radio rehab company's that can do about anything you want to your radio, often using the original chassis. Not inexpensive tho. Old Henry has a special set up in his Ford - search him in the forums to find. I think he uses an MP3 player.

10-09-2015, 07:12 AM	#15
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Cars with original radios Just rambling, when I worked for a bus co. my company car was a 1949 fordor I drove many a years. What sticks out in my mind was, that radio picked up stations thousands miles away. Wheeling W.Va bombed in like next door. W- INS in NY Arnold woo woo Ginsburg remember him, bombed in like next door. Another thing I won't forget was instrument gauges glowed or was like neon: Impressive. Also the car 6Vt pos gr had a quite massive two way Motorola radio (in the trunk). Oh yea I'm guilty of breaking couple starter bendix's cause you couldn't hear or feel the motor running 8BA with overdrive too. I left the co. in 1977 and all now is gone. I think It had a Leece Neville alternator or something, most likely that the Motorola dealer installed..............

10-09-2015, 07:54 AM	#16
wbedwards Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Birmingham, Al. Posts: 339	Re: Cars with original radios There is a post on the HAMB showing how to add a input for the MP3 players to an old am radio, but I haven't tried it on mine yet and for some reason I can't find the post either.

10-09-2015, 08:25 AM	#19
wbedwards Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Birmingham, Al. Posts: 339	Re: Cars with original radios found it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...-radio.300222/

10-09-2015, 10:04 AM	#20
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Cars with original radios Vacuum tubes are resistant to EMP burst from nuclear weapons detonations or high energy weapons.