Retro analog radio tuner

Posted by: furtive

Retro analog radio tuner - 25/11/2005 13:42

I just had an odd thought. Wouldn't it be great (ok, completely pointless but cool) to have a retro style analog radio tuner thingy like old car stereos used to have - the ones where you turn the knob and a little plastic bar moves up and down the frequencies.

Just me then?

I'll get me coat.
Posted by: SE_Sport_Driver

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 26/11/2005 00:46

When I used to have my 70' Mustang, I used to get mail catalogs all the time that had radios like them advertised. I guess it's for the "authentic" owners.
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 26/11/2005 20:58

Now, if the empeg could simulate the weighted radio tuning knobs like on older home decks, THAT would be priceless. Give the knob a hard crank and watch the needle zip through frequencies, gliding to a stop.
Posted by: loren

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 26/11/2005 23:39

I think this would be pretty damn fantastic actually. I'd love to have that over the current bland radio display. maybe with a digital freq. read out in a corner so it's not a guessing game. Wow. Good idea. If I had the first idea of how to code that i'd have a weekend project.
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 27/11/2005 00:59

And when you choose a preset, the needle WHIPS to the set station. You all remember the old radios, how you pulled out the preset button to set it, and gave it the firm push to mechanically move the needle. Good memories, there.
Posted by: mlord

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 27/11/2005 01:29

The knob-based tuning part is already there (Hijack), minus the inertial bias that people are suggesting. A snazzy display to go with it is pretty easy to cook up, I expect.

-ml
Posted by: Mach

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 03/12/2005 13:39

For my Mustang, I changed my boot up animation to show the Philco logo with the dial and then replaced Philco with Empeg. A dial that functioned would be very cool.
Posted by: boxer

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 07/12/2005 20:12

I have a Blaupunkt from '74, with a separate cassette recorder/player, shortwave, and autotune that works with a foot switch, if you want a model to work on! At the time, it was the next model up on the one Rolls-Royce fitted!
Posted by: Cas_O

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 07/12/2005 21:25

Really like the idea. Like proper old-fashioned radios it could sport names on the dial like Bratislava, Wien, Ljubjana, Hilversum, etc.

Ok, so I don't see how you could do that within the limitations of the display; I'll continue dreaming...
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 08/12/2005 00:55

Quote:
cassette recorder/player

For a second, I thought you said "record player", reminding me of the fabled in-car record player of days gone by. It apparently lived in the glove compartment and played the record upside down so the needle wouldn't bang down on the record. I'm just passing on what I heard from some trying-to-be-funny-and-interesting evening rush hour guys on a local (major) jazz radio station.
Posted by: tman

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 08/12/2005 08:02

Quote:
For a second, I thought you said "record player", reminding me of the fabled in-car record player of days gone by. It apparently lived in the glove compartment and played the record upside down so the needle wouldn't bang down on the record. I'm just passing on what I heard from some trying-to-be-funny-and-interesting evening rush hour guys on a local (major) jazz radio station.

Not sure why but an in car record player sounds cool
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 08/12/2005 13:43

Foot switch?
Posted by: larry818

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 08/12/2005 23:49

Quote:
Foot switch?


With one hand on the wheel and the other on the beer, how would you tune?

I had a 1962 Cadillac that had this feature. Handy given that the tuning knob was a long stretch from the driver's seat. I used it mostly when on long trips and lookin' for local stations to listen to.

I had a '63 Ford with the record player in it once too. Pretty cool, but it only played 45s and used about a kg of stylus force to keep it in the groove. A record would last about three playings.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 09/12/2005 13:31

Well, how do you tune with your foot?
Posted by: tman

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 09/12/2005 14:22

Quote:
Well, how do you tune with your foot?

Tunes to the next available station?
Posted by: larry818

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 09/12/2005 22:00

Quote:
Quote:
Well, how do you tune with your foot?

Tunes to the next available station?


Yep, it's just a momentary switch that causes the radio to scan up to the next station it finds.
Posted by: boxer

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 14/12/2005 19:37

Quote:
it's just a momentary switch that causes the radio to scan up to the next station it finds

It sets the bit of string to work over the pulley, when it comes to the microswitch at one end, the motor reverses and it goes back the other way.
N.B. Philips made the car record player, it played singles, so imagine, Empeg owners, having to take the disc out in traffic every couple of minutes, the stylus was, as commented upon, upwards, but to avoid skipping, the spring was so heavy, neither record nor stylus lasted that long.
Posted by: boxer

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 14/12/2005 19:43

sorry, I should have done a bit more research before posting, I found this
Posted by: Ezekiel

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 19/12/2005 12:40

I love this illustration:


-Zeke
Posted by: FireFox31

Re: Retro analog radio tuner - 23/12/2005 02:27

"Fig. 910. Dick Tracy receives a communication on his wrist-worn chronograph."