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Discussion Topic:
'35 Phaeton Radio
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37 Coupe |
08-18-2011 @ 5:30 PM
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Member
Posts: 362
Joined: Oct 2009
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It was previously mentioned that a company wwwturnswitch.com can convert tube AM to modern AM/FM innards. They really make a nice outfit for the control head radios as your 35 Ford is,the original cables controld their new box. Problem is man are they expensive,my estimate for my 37 Ford was close to $800.00 and that was if it was already 12 volt which it is not. I was working on another idea and it would be a lot cheaper,Ebay always has lots of the older AM/FM radios,the ones before electronic on off. Find one small and with knobs to turn on and off and channel tuning. I have seen plenty of NOS ones go for $10.00-$25.00,lots of makes Kraco ,Pioneer all Japan or Taiwan. All you need is a 6-12 volt inverter and make two sleeves tha i.d will fit on your control head cables and shafts of radio,set screw them on and you got the same thing for a lot less than conversion prices.
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flatheadfan |
08-18-2011 @ 5:20 PM
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Member
Posts: 450
Joined: Oct 2009
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Original type of under running board antenna. Tom
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flatheadfan |
08-18-2011 @ 5:07 PM
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Member
Posts: 450
Joined: Oct 2009
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Hi Kenneth- Nothing really complicated involved. I just made a U-shaped "box" out of some sheet metal I had laying around the garage. The only "hole" I needed to make was a small notch on the top upper right-hand corner or my right wooden floor board. This was for the antenna lead to enter the car. Enclosed is another view of the antenna. As for an original type antenna, it can be fairly easy to make and does work surprisingly well (refer to next entry for a picture). The trick is to isolate the antenna from the body and frame. A simple way to isolate the tubing from potentially grounding is by the use of plastic water pipe where the mounting brackets are attached. Unfortunately, some of the dimensions did not come clearly in the drawing. The needed materials are: 76" of 1/4" aluminum tubing 11"-12" of 1/2" hard plastic tubing 2 pieces of 1/8" stock steel plates cut to 3"x 3" radio antenna lead, attaching hardware. Hope this helps. Tom
This message was edited by flatheadfan on 8-18-11 @ 5:19 PM
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foto1man |
08-18-2011 @ 8:53 AM
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Member
Posts: 49
Joined: Jul 2011
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Thanks Tom for the post. I'm like you, I really don't want to drill any holes. My car doesn't have a factory antenna. What should I use on my '35 Phaeton that would be correct? I liked the example of the modern antenna mounted with a bracket using existing bolts under the running board as an alternative. What did you use for the bracket or did you create the bracket? Thanks, Kenneth
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flatheadfan |
08-14-2011 @ 5:39 PM
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Member
Posts: 450
Joined: Oct 2009
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Kenneth- Yes, you can use your spare tire assembly as an antenna. However, you may wish to think this over, first. You will need to drill a hole through the body sheet metal for the antenna feed. For me, drilling holes in body sheet metal is not one of my favorite pastimes. However, I have included the factory instructions on how to do this. You will need to enlarge it to read. Hope this helps. Tom
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Dolman |
08-14-2011 @ 2:33 PM
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New Member
Posts: 177
Joined: Dec 2010
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Very interesting. Was there an antenna mast mounted on the spare tire carrier or was the lead-in connected to the metal tire cover? The tire would certainly be a good insulator from ground.
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foto1man |
08-14-2011 @ 11:57 AM
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Member
Posts: 49
Joined: Jul 2011
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Sorry MG and others. I've been here. I haven't been able to open my radio up yet. Busy at work and plus I have a 2 day car show this weekend and I don't want to open it up till after the show. I have enjoyed everyones post though. My car doesn't have an original antenna and I found it interesting placing one under the running board. I believe the original '35 Phaeton had a wire that run back and connected to the spare. Is this correct? By the way my name's Kenneth Hatcher Thanks everyone for all your help, Kenneth
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foto1man |
08-14-2011 @ 11:56 AM
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Member
Posts: 49
Joined: Jul 2011
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Sorry MG and others. I've been here. I haven't been able to open my radio up yet. Busy at work and plus I have a 2 day car show this weekend and I don't want to open it up till after the show. I have enjoyed everyones post though. My car doesn't have an original antenna and I found it interesting placing one under the running board. I believe the original '35 Phaeton had a wire that run back and connected to the spare. Is this correct? By the way my name's Kenneth Hatcher Thanks everyone for all your help, Kenneth
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MG |
08-12-2011 @ 4:59 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1261
Joined: Nov 2009
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What ever happened to foto1man who started this thread with his radio preoblem?.....
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Dolman |
08-12-2011 @ 4:53 PM
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New Member
Posts: 177
Joined: Dec 2010
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CarGuy, An antenna placed horizontally will work but because most AM station radiation is vertically polarized, reception will be much better with a greater range with a vertical antenna. Your radio probably worked when it was new. Did you try troubleshooting the lead in from the antenna to the radio? I don't know if the connector to the radio is the tubular type with a center pin or a wafer with 2 pins. Either way, put an ohmmeter across the center pin and the outer sh*ll or across the 2 pins. If it reads close to 0 ohms the lead in or the antenna base is shorted. There also may be corrosion of the center pin at the antenna base which would be resistive and severely degrade the signal reaching the radio. There could also be a break in the center pin wire at the radio plug or the antenna base. If you have already done this, forgive me. I'm a novice wandering in the wilderness with shock absorbers, water pumps and distributors to name a few of the challenges I've faced with my '34 pickup, but I light up (pun intended) when it comes to radio.
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