DAB+ Conversion of a Philips '753' Motor-Tuned 1938 Push-Button Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

David G4EBT · 25th Nov 2021, 4:57 pm

The decline in the number of LW/MW broadcast station has led to many, myself included, finding ways of extending the scope of vintage valve radios with ‘pantry transmitters’ such as the Mini-Mod, FM/AM converters such as the one by Guy Fernado, published in the BVWS Bulletin and on this forum, (both of which have the merit of not requiring any connection or modification of the radio), and Bluetooth and DAB add-ons, which sometimes involve extensive modifications, event to the extent that the radio simply becomes a ‘donor’ with little originality left, apart from its cosmetic appearance.

The (now closed) forum thread entitled 'Proper DAB Conversion of Valve Radios' at the link below featured a DAB+ conversion unit which simply plugs into the frequency changer valve socket in place of the valve, with the plug appropriately wired to suit the particular radio into which it’s installed. The DAB+ stations are converted to the radio's IF frequency and pass through it just as they would if the radio was being used for AM. Hence, the audio is authentic as to how the radio would sound in normal operation. To put it back to this it is only a matter of removing the DAB+ unit and replacing the freuquency changer valve.

The original thread included a full review by forum member Adrian Gardner, who originated the thread:

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...DAB+Conversion

My reason for mentioning it now is that I’m a friend of Gary Tempest who – though not a member of this forum - will be well-known to BVWS members for his many articles on the total restoration of mainly late 1930s complex radio. His most recent restoration - which is drawing to a conclusion - is that of a 1939 motor-tuned Philips ‘753’ radio which has eight push buttons for station selection. The cabinet restoration featured in Spring 2020 Bulletin, and the total strip-down and rebuild of the motor tuning and push-button unit (150 parts!), featured in the Summer 2020 Bulletin, covering six pages. The third and final part – the electronics – will feature in the Spring 2022 bulletin.

Gary has added the ‘proper DAB’ unit to the radio and has made a short YouTube video of the radio push-button motor-tuning and the DAB+ unit in action. He's sent me the link to the video for anyone who might be interested in the radio and DAB+ unit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeEPudY0o_0

Hope that might be of interest.

25th Nov 2021, 4:57 pm	#1
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,761	DAB+ Conversion of a Philips '753' Motor-Tuned 1938 Push-Button Radio The decline in the number of LW/MW broadcast station has led to many, myself included, finding ways of extending the scope of vintage valve radios with ‘pantry transmitters’ such as the Mini-Mod, FM/AM converters such as the one by Guy Fernado, published in the BVWS Bulletin and on this forum, (both of which have the merit of not requiring any connection or modification of the radio), and Bluetooth and DAB add-ons, which sometimes involve extensive modifications, event to the extent that the radio simply becomes a ‘donor’ with little originality left, apart from its cosmetic appearance. The (now closed) forum thread entitled 'Proper DAB Conversion of Valve Radios' at the link below featured a DAB+ conversion unit which simply plugs into the frequency changer valve socket in place of the valve, with the plug appropriately wired to suit the particular radio into which it’s installed. The DAB+ stations are converted to the radio's IF frequency and pass through it just as they would if the radio was being used for AM. Hence, the audio is authentic as to how the radio would sound in normal operation. To put it back to this it is only a matter of removing the DAB+ unit and replacing the freuquency changer valve. The original thread included a full review by forum member Adrian Gardner, who originated the thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...DAB+Conversion My reason for mentioning it now is that I’m a friend of Gary Tempest who – though not a member of this forum - will be well-known to BVWS members for his many articles on the total restoration of mainly late 1930s complex radio. His most recent restoration - which is drawing to a conclusion - is that of a 1939 motor-tuned Philips ‘753’ radio which has eight push buttons for station selection. The cabinet restoration featured in Spring 2020 Bulletin, and the total strip-down and rebuild of the motor tuning and push-button unit (150 parts!), featured in the Summer 2020 Bulletin, covering six pages. The third and final part – the electronics – will feature in the Spring 2022 bulletin. Gary has added the ‘proper DAB’ unit to the radio and has made a short YouTube video of the radio push-button motor-tuning and the DAB+ unit in action. He's sent me the link to the video for anyone who might be interested in the radio and DAB+ unit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeEPudY0o_0 Hope that might be of interest. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.