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Post by Richard on Oct 25, 2022 9:52:45 GMT 12
Just wondering if anyone has successfully installed a "bluetooth receiver" into a vintage radio? I'm thinking of powering such from the heater bus via a simple power supply, so it doesn't need a battery. Jaycar have a receiver for about $50, I'm not sure of the quality, but are there any other recommended units that someone has installed and worked successfully?
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Post by stanley on Oct 25, 2022 10:46:52 GMT 12
David Tipton on youtube has some video's about this. The one he used was a product specifically designed for putting in old radios. A long time ago I built a very low power AM transmitter for this sort of thing.
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Post by Bob Killip on Oct 25, 2022 20:02:44 GMT 12
I've installed a couple using a kit from the below website. A bit of overkill (they are stereo) but good quality and work well. www.tinyosshop.com/ |
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Steve
Society Members
vintageradio.co.nz
Posts: 732
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Post by Steve on Oct 26, 2022 16:45:48 GMT 12
I have done it only once - I wired a cheap $5 AliExpress special (identical to this: www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004090572620.html) directly to the gramo input of an HMV 616 and it sounded pretty good from memory. They have a small battery so can run unpowered for a while, and/or can be powered from USB. A linear power supply using a low-dropout regulator from the heater rail should be noise-free. Its a budget setup, but was functional. Cheers, Steve |
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Post by Richard on Oct 28, 2022 8:09:38 GMT 12
I'm just wading through dozens of "Bluetooth modules" available on ebay, and only those with an op amp to boost the output, so as to drive a tube amplifier. BTW some modules from china NZ$7 + $77 shipping!! WTF. ALso trying to decipher the chinese english descriptions  |
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Post by Peter Walsham on Oct 28, 2022 8:14:16 GMT 12
Good morning Richard
Yes, you might find the built-in pre-amp useful, as I have found that the output from a phone or MP3 player a little 'wanting' in providing enough audio drive to a radios audio amp.
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Post by Richard on Oct 28, 2022 9:44:47 GMT 12
Hi Peter, Yes, I've ordered a module with a NE5532 op amp on the output, so, I'll need to build a simple circuit to provide 9volts DC from the 6.3 volt heater rail and see how well it works.  it has a basic push button control panel which connects to it as well |
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Post by DHockey on Oct 28, 2022 10:19:22 GMT 12
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Post by Richard on Oct 29, 2022 12:29:10 GMT 12
thanks Daniel, I should be ok with that task |
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Post by Richard on Dec 8, 2022 15:05:39 GMT 12
I finally got the Bluetooth module from China, and I made up a half wave voltage doubler power supply to power the unit, as I didnt want to use a battery. I couldn't use a bridge rectifier as one side of the 6.3 volt heater bus is EARTHED. I decided to install it into my Courtenay Model 90, because it already had a "Phono" input switch and also has a negative feedback tone control, so the audio output already sounds very good especially with the 10" electrodynamic speaker The Stereo Audio out of the Bluetooth unit, I combined using 2 x 1K resistors down to a mono signal which was fed into the Phono input of the radio. The Bluetooth unit has an Op Amp on the output, so it can drive the output stage in the radio to almost full output, you do have to turn the volume up a little from the radio input, but it's not too bad. Overall, I'm quite pleased with the outcome, the $16 unit from China works very well.  www.instagram.com/reel/Cl7jMBiAcxN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link here's a demo of it operating |
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