Add FM - [product_type} - Retro Radio Farm Service - Retro Radio Farm

Add FM

Vendor
Retro Radio Farm Service
Regular price
$ 199.00
Sale price
$ 199.00


Add FM to your AM only radio. Recommended for FM listeners or AM rarely or never listeners.

INCLUDES:

  • DSP PLL LCD Stereo FM Radio Receiver Module Wireless Audio w/ Serial Control
  • Auxiliary switch mounted on backing board to switch between AM and FM

LEAD TIME: Please allow 2-4 weeks turnaround time for upgrades. Please allow 4-8 weeks turnaround time during the holiday season.

DESCRIPTION: Switch from AM radio to FM radio with rocker switch installed on back panel. The FM receiver module is a solid state modern technology device that outputs an analog signal to the vacuum tube amplifier of the vintage radio.

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AUDIO QUALITY: Although vacuum tubes reproduce analog signals very well, the audio signal is driven through a tiny 4 inch speaker cone. These radios were intended to be tabletop radios used in kitchens, on desks, etc. not as high fidelity home stereo systems. The vacuum tube circuitry functions as a digital to analog converter. The small digital fractions that comprise all digital music are effectively "smoothed" by the cathode-anode high heat electron flow through a vacuum tube. Through the same 4" speaker, the analog signal will sound more warm and organic. However, modern circuits have more sophisticated frequency equalization so the sound reproduction may be better balanced. Old radios tend to suffer from neglect and years of storage in questionable environments so the electrical characteristics of all the components will suffer drift from specifications to a greater or lesser degree.

 

MODIFICATIONS: The FM receiver is mounted to the back of the radio. The output of the receiver is input directly into the radio amplifier stage at a point in the circuit that allows the volume knob to continue to work as originally designed. My goal is make the placement of the FM receiver module and the radio/phono switch as inconspicuous as possible. The phono/off/radio switch switches the input between original tube AM radio to FM audio settings. You can play the radio and switch to auxiliary and vice versa. You cannot play AM radio and FM at the same time. I strive to maintain the originality of the radio as much as possible. All electronic modifications are reversible to some degree. All vintage radios are different in physical and electronic characteristics. Modifying them to play modern FM will require a different approach for each radio. The modifications performed are not done by a machine. I perform these modifications myself using simple tools based on my years of experience and technical know-how. As such, there will be variations in the final result for each radio. Each completed piece with be one-of-a-kind original!

 

OPERATION: These old radios are not intended to be played for hours and hours without someone nearby. The input signal from your digital music device is input into the radio power amplifier stage. When you switch to auxiliary input the tuner circuit that produces the radio signal is cut off. You will not hear the radio and your auxiliary input playing simultaneously. Volume levels can be adjusted on the radio itself and on your MP3 player. If there is a tone control on your radio and MP3 player, those can be adjusted as well. The volumes may not be the same, so you may need to adjust the volumes on the radio or your music player, or both. All the forward, skip, pause, volume, selection, shuffle, back, functions on your music player will continue to work as normal. This modification service does not include a microphone installation.

 

ORIGINALITY: Once the radio is modified for auxiliary input, it cannot be reversed without replacement or restoration services or both. You know what they say about originality; "it's only original once."

 

YOUTUBE demonstration here

 

RETURNS: This FM/MP3 modification service is not refundable.

 

DISCLAIMER: Use only as recommended. Not responsible for damage to your music player, MP3, other device. Not responsible for damage to your radio as a result of using non recommended music player, input device, MP3, or other device.

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