[samsdad]

So as some of you know, I'm in the process of getting a Philco 38-116. I should have it home here in a few weeks. In the meantime, I've been looking at the best way to get mp3, online FM content, etc. through the 38-116. I was initially considering going the route of having an aux input added, but after reading about the problems that come with that potentially, and in the spirit of trying to keep this radio as original as possible, I've settled on going the external AM-transmitter route, and have purchased a completed one of eBay (this one, if you care), rather than buying a kit, etc.

I understand how it works in terms of the AM transmitter, but in terms of playing something through an phone, pad, etc. how does this work? Can I mute the sound on the phone but have sound come through the radio? I'm looking to do this via bluetooth.

[Nathan Slingerland]

I bought one of these to be able to play sound from my iPhone over an AM transmitter (I have an SSTrans):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IQBSW28

It works fine - looks like an external bluetooth speaker to the iPhone. It will not play through the phone speaker / headphones if you are actively sending output to the bluetooth connection.

But to be honest I really just want to listen to our local NPR station so I almost always have the SSTrans plugged into an FM tuner instead. I use one of these to power on/off the transmitter remotely:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQDJJKU/

[shaler78]

You will be better off using a suitable patch cord from your sources earphone jack to your transmitter input, which I think are RCA male jack connectors. I use an i-pod with my music library set on random play and let it go 24/7. I also the i-pod EQ to customize the output sound. By using your headphone jack, that mutes the sound on the phone and sends sound to/ through your transmitter. Enjoy.

[samsdad]

But to be honest I really just want to listen to our local NPR station so I almost always have the SSTrans plugged into an FM tuner instead. I use one of these to power on/off the transmitter remotely:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQDJJKU/

Well, after doing more research on bluetooth, compression, apple airplay, etc. that's probably what I'm going to do too. Do you have a recommendation for an FM tuner?

I'm currently looking at this: Yamaha T-S500BL AM/FM Tuner

Lol, I can't believe that I'm asking for recommendations for an FM tuner in 2016, only to use it to plug into an AM transmitter (!) to play that signal over a nearly 80-year old vacuum-tube powered radio in mono. Surely I've crossed over into an alternate reality. . . .

[Nathan Slingerland]

Lol - I know what you mean.

I bought a used NAD C 420 FM tuner off of eBay. Cheap and good FM performance. I have a number of NAD stereo components and I like the brand so I went with that.

I don't see a C420 but there's this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-NAD-402-...2762112760

[samsdad]

Lol - I know what you mean.

I bought a used NAD C 420 FM tuner off of eBay. Cheap and good FM performance. I have a number of NAD stereo components and I like the brand so I went with that.

I don't see a C420 but there's this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-NAD-402-...2762112760

Please tell me that I wouldn't need anything else (like some sort of preamp, etc.) other than perhaps an antena wire . . .

[morzh]

The only drawback of the tablet playong through SSTRAN is, because of AGC when music stops 60 Hz num becomes very audible.

[Nathan Slingerland]

From the description your AM transmitter should plug right into the RCA output jacks.

Here's a better deal on a 402 - even includes an antenna:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132031771027

[samsdad]

From the description your AM transmitter should plug right into the RCA output jacks.

Here's a better deal on a 402 - even includes an antenna:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132031771027

Thanks. I do appreciate your help. My wife secretly thinks I've lost it, lol.

[samsdad]

From the description your AM transmitter should plug right into the RCA output jacks.

Here's a better deal on a 402 - even includes an antenna:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/132031771027

Would the FM tuner need to be a stereo tuner, or would an old mono tube tuner work as well? (Since I'm outputting to mono?)

[Nathan Slingerland]

Either will be fine. The signal us going to end up in mono anyway. Your restored 38-116 is going to sound great. I have a 37-116 and am impressed with how good it sounds each time I turn it on.

[samsdad]

Your restored 38-116 is going to sound great.

That's the only thing that's going to save me now, lol. Thanks again.