Car radio conversion to FM - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PaulR · 3rd Aug 2021, 5:24 pm

A friend asked about having FM added to his AM only car radio. I explained the difference between AM and FM decoding and said I didn't know that this could be done easily.

We then found the Aurora FMR 2.8. The instructions for fitting this imply that it replaces the original radio including amplifier but that it somehow retains use of the tuner and volume control. There appear to be no connections to the original radio except for using the power switch. Here is a link to the instructions https://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk/StandardConversion.pdf

Is this possible, and if so how is it done? Does it pick up the oscillator frequency or something like that?

PaulR · 3rd Aug 2021, 6:38 pm

I have just seen that the instructions are for radios where the module has already been fitted so probably it isn't as "magic" as it appeared

Nuvistor · 3rd Aug 2021, 7:04 pm

There are prices on the web site for having a radio converted or radios for sale that have had the conversion.
Just how the matching of the original controls work with the new radio I don’t know. It’s a bespoke service so it isn’t cheap.

PaulR · 3rd Aug 2021, 7:10 pm

Yes, I had seen the prices. Around £200 or so. The modules are available from America for around £120 but I wouldn't like to undertake fitting one. For me the simpler alteration of adding an aux input to the volume control is preferable in view of the price and it does at least use the existing amplifier.

Lloyd 1985 · 3rd Aug 2021, 10:16 pm

Build a Minimod and then you can plug whatever you want into that and transmit it onto a quiet spot on the MW band! Very cheap and easy to build, and sound good too!

Regards,
Lloyd

PaulR · 4th Aug 2021, 7:34 am

That is what I do in the house but I feel that for radio in a car the direct connection to the volume control is more satisfactory. The problem I can envisage is that the lead connecting the two is usually used as the aerial.

Cobaltblue · 4th Aug 2021, 7:58 am

There are loads of little conversion modules available these usually give you an FM Radio Blue Tooth and slots to play MP3's here's and example.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174872453...QAAOSwyrZhCfY4

Cheers

Mike T

3rd Aug 2021, 5:24 pm	#1
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,233	Car radio conversion to FM A friend asked about having FM added to his AM only car radio. I explained the difference between AM and FM decoding and said I didn't know that this could be done easily. We then found the Aurora FMR 2.8. The instructions for fitting this imply that it replaces the original radio including amplifier but that it somehow retains use of the tuner and volume control. There appear to be no connections to the original radio except for using the power switch. Here is a link to the instructions https://www.tadpoleradios.co.uk/StandardConversion.pdf Is this possible, and if so how is it done? Does it pick up the oscillator frequency or something like that? __________________ Paul

3rd Aug 2021, 6:38 pm	#2
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,233	Re: Car radio conversion to FM I have just seen that the instructions are for radios where the module has already been fitted so probably it isn't as "magic" as it appeared __________________ Paul

3rd Aug 2021, 7:04 pm	#3
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,433	Re: Car radio conversion to FM There are prices on the web site for having a radio converted or radios for sale that have had the conversion. Just how the matching of the original controls work with the new radio I don’t know. It’s a bespoke service so it isn’t cheap. __________________ Frank

3rd Aug 2021, 7:10 pm	#4
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,233	Re: Car radio conversion to FM Yes, I had seen the prices. Around £200 or so. The modules are available from America for around £120 but I wouldn't like to undertake fitting one. For me the simpler alteration of adding an aux input to the volume control is preferable in view of the price and it does at least use the existing amplifier. __________________ Paul

3rd Aug 2021, 10:16 pm	#5
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: Car radio conversion to FM Build a Minimod and then you can plug whatever you want into that and transmit it onto a quiet spot on the MW band! Very cheap and easy to build, and sound good too! Regards, Lloyd

4th Aug 2021, 7:34 am	#6
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,233	Re: Car radio conversion to FM That is what I do in the house but I feel that for radio in a car the direct connection to the volume control is more satisfactory. The problem I can envisage is that the lead connecting the two is usually used as the aerial. __________________ Paul

4th Aug 2021, 7:58 am	#7
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,865	Re: Car radio conversion to FM There are loads of little conversion modules available these usually give you an FM Radio Blue Tooth and slots to play MP3's here's and example. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174872453...QAAOSwyrZhCfY4 Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk