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Old 3rd Nov 2021, 4:12 pm   #41
david winter
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Default Re: What Members Have Bought A David Winter FM Board & What Radio Is Been Used ?

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Originally Posted by bobhowe View Post
Hi as per title would like to know what is the popular radio being used for this conversion
Most vintage tube radios can be converted. Some are easier when the FM convertor is directly powered by the heating circuit. In other cases, you will either need a small voltage doubler, or a separate DC source.

The radios I do most of the time are typically 1950s sets of various brands: Philips/Radiola, Ducretet, Pathe / Marconi, Sonora, Telefunken, Grundig, etc.
But I have done some 1930s models as well, and 1940s also.
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 2:20 pm   #42
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi David 2nd board arrived safely today now the hard bit is to find a 1930s set that is sensibly priced & not to far away
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 3:57 pm   #43
murphyv310
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi.
Mine arrived on Monday. I've fitted it today but see that when the tuning capacitor is fully meshed it tunes the high frequency end of the band and when at low capacitance it tunes the low frequency end of the band.... No good when doing a job for a customer.
Has anyone else had this issue?
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 7:29 pm   #44
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

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Hi David 2nd board arrived safely today now the hard bit is to find a 1930s set that is sensibly priced & not to far away
Hi Bob,
I'm sure I can find in the shop a radio set from the 1930s for you.
One with a gram PU socket.

DFWB.
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 8:15 pm   #45
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi David thanks for the kind offer
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 8:22 pm   #46
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi Bob, noting your earlier comments about large sets and SWMBO, you will find most of the 30's stuff is quite big. Most though did have decent mains transformers

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Old 4th Nov 2021, 8:28 pm   #47
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi Ed SWMBO has expensive tastes she likes the Philco 4444 or the Ecko A22
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 8:29 pm   #48
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

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Originally Posted by murphyv310 View Post
Hi.
Mine arrived on Monday. I've fitted it today but see that when the tuning capacitor is fully meshed it tunes the high frequency end of the band and when at low capacitance it tunes the low frequency end of the band.... No good when doing a job for a customer.
Has anyone else had this issue?
Hi Trevor you have a PM
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Old 4th Nov 2021, 10:54 pm   #49
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Completed the wiring of the three position wavechange switch.
Receiver is ready prepared to accept the FM radio module.
The job turned out to be more complex and time consuming than was first envisioned.
Rest assured I won't do this modification to another Bush DAC90A.
The DAC90 will be a simpler proposition.

DFWB.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 7:51 am   #50
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

I suppose that your two thumbnails show the next DAC90 to be restored ?

One other thing I forgot to mention: the FM will either start from the left or right of the dial since the module cannot detect where the dial is when the tuning capacitor is at its min / max position.
I'll try to change the code to calibrate differently, but after a first check it happens to be a bit more complex than thought.
The only situation where this behavior will generate a visual problem is AM/FM radios where the original FM dial indications no longer match the tuning direction of the FM module. In this case, the only workaround is to make the tuning capacitor rotate in the opposite direction (supposing you no longer use the AM bands). AM/FM radios with a common tuning capacitor are not concerned by this.
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Last edited by david winter; 5th Nov 2021 at 8:07 am.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 9:33 am   #51
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi.
The issue is on most UK manufactured radio's FM starts on the left at 88mhz and AM at 1600khz so if using the existing tuning cap the FM band is the wrong way round.
The module is ideal for existing FM radio's that are deaf or have an existing irreparable FM fault like in the instance of the radio I have in for repair. The radio in question was mainly used for FM reception until the fault appeared. On this set the drive cord cannot be reversed as the cord will foul on the chassis, also the tuning gang cannot be reversed due to its design.
Will see what the customer says, may have to do this work FOC if there is any issues unfortunately.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 11:24 am   #52
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

The attachment shows the low cost Pye Piper P117 AM/FM radio set.
Note the FM highest frequency is at the left of the tuning scale.
When the set was designed in 1957 only three BBC stations were transmitted on the FM waveband.

DFWB.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 11:37 am   #53
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

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Originally Posted by murphyv310 View Post
Hi.
The issue is on most UK manufactured radio's FM starts on the left at 88mhz and AM at 1600khz so if using the existing tuning cap the FM band is the wrong way round.
The module is ideal for existing FM radio's that are deaf or have an existing irreparable FM fault like in the instance of the radio I have in for repair. The radio in question was mainly used for FM reception until the fault appeared. On this set the drive cord cannot be reversed as the cord will foul on the chassis, also the tuning gang cannot be reversed due to its design.
Will see what the customer says, may have to do this work FOC if there is any issues unfortunately.
I never had a trouble on the many radios I converted for my clients, which included some AM/FM sets. Moreover, Hontele's initial design has the same behavior, and has been used on over a thousand radios without trouble.
If I had to deal with a radio like yours, I would print the new FM band on quality paper, cut the small rubber tape showing the FM band, and attach it to the dial. You may even want to consider using adhesive paper. A nice color printout may even do the job.

As I said I will try to change my code to allow both tuning directions, but that can't be done on a short timeline, so you'll have to explain your client this quite unusual situation.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 11:40 am   #54
david winter
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

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Originally Posted by FERNSEH View Post
The attachment shows the low cost Pye Piper P117 AM/FM radio set.
Note the FM highest frequency is at the left of the tuning scale.
When the set was designed in 1957 only three BBC stations were transmitted on the FM waveband.

DFWB.
Indeed. Many old AM/FM sets had both AM/FM tuning capacitor sharing the same body, hence the FM starting from the right. The only sets I saw with the FM starting from the left used two independant dial cords (one for the AM tuning capacitor, the other for the VHF tuner containing its own tuning capacitor or plug-in coils).
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 2:00 pm   #55
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

I've just bought one to try with a big 1950s Marconiphone T29A which looks lovely and has a nice "tone" but which is fairly useless as a standalone radio these days. I'll report back when it's been installed.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 3:02 pm   #56
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi Nick please post some pictures of conversion in progress
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 3:46 pm   #57
murphyv310
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi
I've done a video of the mod and results.
It's fair and Frank and shows how it sounds, tunes etc. I've also commented on audio quality.
https://youtu.be/zTBlYNAH0tU
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 5:34 pm   #58
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Thanks for that Trevor, I think it's a very fair review. With regards to the"popping" could an FM ribbon aerial give an improvement?

I'm hoping that this module of David's will, over time, become the go-to solution for MW/LW radios as these bands become quieter.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 5:39 pm   #59
murphyv310
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi Ken.
I did try another antenna but it didn't help. In fact too much signal and there are images all over the band.
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Old 5th Nov 2021, 7:43 pm   #60
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Default Re: My FM converter for tube radios using the dial and tube amplifier

Hi Trevor I can see your point if you fit these for a business but my 2p worth the back round noise ( to me ) is not as loud than the hash I can hear on MW . Where I live with a DAC90A LW is very poor and you can only get 3 Stations on MW ( Greatest Hit Radios / Absolute Radio & Talk Sport ). I like radio 2 as there is no annoying adverts and spoilt for choice of stations now . The popping that you can hear really does not bother me . I would think that this board will make old LW & MW sets sets stop been display pieces and be used & if this stops the upcycling/ hipster / bluetooth speaker muppets ruining good sets than is worth wile . Overall Trevor you review is fair and there is room for some improvements but at the bargain price the board quick postage is and it does work straight out the tin I would I've a mark of 8/10 hope David will comment kind regards Bob
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