Bush DAC90A surprise

[Gabe001]

Picked up this dac90a being offered for free yesterday.

On opening it up, it seems to have been converted to an FM radio, with everything stripped out. Even the speaker was replaced. Not what I would have done, but it works remarkably well.

The tuning dial is used to tune the FM stations, it takes battery and 6v DC, the original on off am volume control is used, and the dial lamps light up like the original when it's turned on.

Does anyone recognise where the internal circuitry is from? See attached.

Thanks
Gabriel

[G.Castle]

Looks like some generic Hong Kong, 'Solid State' type of board.

Ummm.

It was the right price!

Greg.

[stevehertz]

Looks like some thought and clever handiwork has gone into that. With am fast disappearing it's an innovative way to make use of a mass produced radio. I wouldn't want to own it myself (got FM sets) but I'm not in the least bit offended by it, impressed more so.

[Roger Ramjet]

I have two basket case DAC90A's & having only basic knowledge of radio electronics would happily do the same thing to give these very lovely radio's a new life.

Rog

[Herald1360]

I'd be inclined to upgrade at least the audio stages of the radio board. Two tiddly transformers can't be doing the fi any favours!

[paulsherwin]

It looks as if somebody has fitted the innards of a 70s transistor radio to a stripped DAC90A chassis. While my initial reaction was 'yuck', somebody has put a lot of thought and effort into it - it's not a quick bodge job. It's now an interesting set in its own right and worth preserving.

[Gabe001]

I agree, it works remarkably well, and clearly a lot of thought has gone into it. The dial lights up and the tuning works albeit the scale is obviously wrong.

Maybe I'll keep it for my work office

It has a jack for 6v DC input, but when I plugged it in a 240v-6v smps it hummed a bit. I need a cleaner supply. Any recommendations (+ve centre)? I don't suppose the batteries will last long given that they power 2 bulbs

[Graham G3ZVT]

I'm trying to form an opinion on when this conversation was done. Are the screws BA or metric?

[ThePillenwerfer]

I seem to recall seeing something similar in my early days on here.

I don't find it offensive at all and it's far more use than one in original condition. I'd be inclined to fit a mains power supply but it seems like it's got a DC input socket fitted so even that wouldn't be needed.

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by rambo1152

I'm trying to form an opinion on when this conversation was done. Are the screws BA or metric?

I don't see what that would tell you. I use both BA and metric bolts in the course of performing restorations, repairs and new builds. Ok, I generally replace like with like, but otherwise whatever is available and does the job. In any case I don't think that a modern, FM, PCB based receiver would use BA bolts.

[Silicon]

The red plastic mechanism is interesting. Is it a waveband changing device?

[Gabe001]

No, i think it's just a mount

[Graham G3ZVT]

Originally Posted by Gabe001

No, i think it's just a mount

Are you sure?
Yes the larger piece is a mount, but what I see is a second articulated piece that moves the L M V switch using a Bowden cable, the other end of which is presumably somehow is operated by the DAC90 wave change knob. The spring implies the cable can pull but not push.

Ingenious!

I'm wondering if this was a one-off or a bit of a cottage industry?

[Gabe001]

The waveband switch does nothing, but I can open it again and check if it moves manually.
FM reception is excellent.
Output is ok for speech/classical but quite horrible for music. By horrible I mean modern 2inch speaker radio standard. Chris is right re the transformers I think