AM transmitter question with phone, pad, etc.
Posts: 19
Threads: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
City: Castle Rock, Colorado
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.
(This post was last modified: 12-15-2016, 07:14 PM by samsdad.)
Posts: 1,872
Threads: 212
Joined: May 2015
City: Seattle
State, Province, Country: WA
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/
Posts: 142
Threads: 15
Joined: Nov 2008
City: Glenshaw, PA
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.
Posts: 19
Threads: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
City: Castle Rock, Colorado
(12-15-2016, 07:34 PM)Nathan Slingerland Wrote: 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. . . .
Posts: 1,872
Threads: 212
Joined: May 2015
City: Seattle
State, Province, Country: WA
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
Posts: 19
Threads: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
City: Castle Rock, Colorado
(12-15-2016, 10:07 PM)Nathan Slingerland Wrote: 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 . . .
Posts: 15,527
Threads: 545
Joined: Oct 2011
City: Jackson, NJ
The only drawback of the tablet playong through SSTRAN is, because of AGC when music stops 60 Hz num becomes very audible.
People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
Posts: 1,872
Threads: 212
Joined: May 2015
City: Seattle
State, Province, Country: WA
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
Posts: 19
Threads: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
City: Castle Rock, Colorado
(12-15-2016, 10:32 PM)Nathan Slingerland Wrote: 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.
Posts: 19
Threads: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
City: Castle Rock, Colorado
(12-15-2016, 10:32 PM)Nathan Slingerland Wrote: 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?)
Posts: 1,872
Threads: 212
Joined: May 2015
City: Seattle
State, Province, Country: WA
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.
Posts: 19
Threads: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
City: Castle Rock, Colorado
(12-15-2016, 10:55 PM)Nathan Slingerland Wrote: Your restored 38-116 is going to sound great.
That's the only thing that's going to save me now, lol. Thanks again.
Users browsing this thread:
|
|
Recent Posts
|
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| I remember a bakelite "lampshade" (a fancy lampshade) style plug being available in the hardware store when I ...MrFixr55 — 10:39 AM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Hello Arran
Yes, I also like the lampshade style plug !
Sincerely Richardradiorich — 08:46 AM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Hello morzh,
Nice explanation on the x and y capacitors and glad you are narrowing down the issue with this set !
Si...radiorich — 08:43 AM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| From what I read Philco went to using brown rubber power cords in 1936, so cloth was used in the 1935 and earlier models...Arran — 11:25 PM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Hi Bruce,
I have not worked on an 84, but in general, power cords for almost any radio prior to 1938 was cloth covered...MrFixr55 — 08:34 PM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| OK, well, so after staring at the sch again, I realized the problem had to be the #12/12A padder.
I put a scope on the o...morzh — 08:15 PM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Hello Bruce,
I mostly use brown far as my cloth powercords go !
Here is the plug that I have used bakelite Acorn style...radiorich — 08:05 PM |
|
Correct model 84 Ac plug an cord type
|
| Looking for as correct as can find the right Ac plug an the correct colored cloth line. Ive seen many old photos but mos...Bruce — 04:13 PM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Rod
Two Y-caps make sense if you use them from L/N to the chassis; this is only makes sense in the transformer radios w...morzh — 10:11 AM |
|
Restoring Philco 38-14
|
| Mike, I'm curious about a specific use of he Y cap. Lately I've seen a single cap across the power transformer primary. ...RodB — 09:01 AM |
|
Who's Online
|
| There are currently no members online. |
|
 
|
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
