Old Radio Questions

[Burdekin]

Dug out this radio from my spares, it was from a scrapped car so don't know if it works, buttons are not working properly but maybe just needs some TLC.

It appears it is only LW and MW, so does that mean it will pick up only AM and no FM? Can these be converted for a reasonable price to connect to FM or even digital?

Pic of the radio.

[Derek UK]

No FM. Conversion possible but expensive. I'll get back to you about your PM.
eBay item is period correct but expensive. Euro model so only up to 104 on the FM band. USA models better as they go up to 108 as per current specs.
Volvo used Volvo branded Mono AM/FM made by Blaupunkt. Not Frankfurt as that is a 3 band radio.
This one. Note is a USA one up to 108 but I don't know if they did a 104 version as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emO9YbRAKzc

[Ron Kwas]

KS;

LW is Long Wave, and that is at frequencies below the AM (MW) band...see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longwave ...there's not much operating on there these days...only radio locating beacons and communications to submarines (and IF you could hear that, it would be a coded cacophony, unintelligible to you or me).

There is still plenty on the AM band, and its often interesting, and from far away after dusk, when the propagation characteristics of the ionosphere change and you can hear stations from 1000miles away!... I always suggest to install the period radio for a vintage look, and have it operational for technical nostalgia, then add modern equipment discretely tucked under dashboard and capable of interfacing with your handheld by way of bluetooth or direct connection.

Adding FM into the radio is certainly possible, but likely prohibitively expensive...when FM was beginning to become more popular in the late '60s, but while people still only had AM radios in their cars, they did produce some FM receiving units which would rebroadcast on AM, so that you could listen to FM through you existing AM radio with these add-ons...of course that was mono only, but if you could find one of those units (which hadn't been recycled yet...actually, I just found a bunch when searching "FM to AM converter" on e-pay), that would give you another inexpensive, certainly vintage option.

Cheers

[Volvo_133]

My first 1965 122S bought in 1975 for £150 came with a Blaupunkt radio fitted.It must have been an expensive model then as it had the rotary frequency knob and 5 preset push buttons.

[c1800]

There are a number of place like this that do conversions, I have no experience with this or any other supplier.

https://www.joesclassiccarradio.com/conv.html

I bought a retro sound radio, and it does the job. Shows for a 144 , don’t know why they don’t list the 1800. But they're likely all the same. Check with them directly if you go this route.

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...nt=32867768782

[jpws]

A quick google reveals several companies offering radio conversions in the UK, here the top 3 search results:

https://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk
https://www.radiorescue.co.uk/
http://vintagecarradio.co.uk/index.html

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by jpws

A quick google reveals several companies offering radio conversions in the UK, here the top 3 search results:

https://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk
https://www.radiorescue.co.uk/
http://vintagecarradio.co.uk/index.html

Radio rescue are going to do a conversion for me. They and Tadpole use the kit from this company in the US: http://www.tech-retro.com/Aurora_Design/Home.html

[Groundes-Peace]

Just one thought to check.....
The space behind the dash panel is critical for the unit you want to fit.
On my P1800 I wanted to fit an old Motorola 828 unit from the mid 60's. I had it upgraded by Tadpole Radio successfully.
But I had not thought about the limited space behind the dash; the windscreen wiper mechanism takes up considerable space at the back of the cavity used by the radio.
Luckily this problem was overcome by using a brushed aluminium spacer template, which worked well to allow the radio to be mounted proud of the curved panel and still look tidy.

[Burdekin]

Originally Posted by Groundes-Peace

Just one thought to check.....
The space behind the dash panel is critical for the unit you want to fit.
On my P1800 I wanted to fit an old Motorola 828 unit from the mid 60's. I had it upgraded by Tadpole Radio successfully.
But I had not thought about the limited space behind the dash; the windscreen wiper mechanism takes up considerable space at the back of the cavity used by the radio.
Luckily this problem was overcome by using a brushed aluminium spacer template, which worked well to allow the radio to be mounted proud of the curved panel and still look tidy.

Not checked but am using a original 71 Blaupunkt Volvo radio in the space made for a radio so fingers crossed it’s okay.

[c1800]

IME, it’s pretty tight against the WW mechanism. I was able to install the retro sound radio in there with a little bit of stress against the WW mechanism. Ok after a few years. I think the original dealer installed radios were installed with an angled shim/face plate that canted the radio slightly down at the rear for clearance.