How to fit Bluetooth to your vintage valve radio – eBook

I’ve written easy to follow instructions, in PDF format, for adding Bluetooth to your vintage radio. There are over twenty photos and diagrams and, for your convenience, the eBook is printable. Assuming that you have at least some knowledge of the basics, such as soldering and competent use of small tools, you shouldn’t have any trouble assembling the parts.

All the parts I’ve used in the eBook were obtained from eBay. There is a list of most of the parts, with links, on the last page. Just be aware that some parts may vary as items become unavailable and are replaced by similar parts. If you use a different type of Bluetooth board, the principal is the same: power in to the board and audio out. Just bear in mind that the connections and layout might be different. The same applies to the amplifier: power in, audio in and speaker out. If you are using different parts, be aware of the voltage requirements. All the items I describe here run from 5 volts. If you wish to run the unit from a 12 volt supply, I have included simple suggestions as to how to achieve this.

The reason for using separate Bluetooth and amplifier boards is to facilitate the use of a volume control. Bluetooth boards with built-in audio amplifiers do not have connections for a volume control. You will need to have an outboard volume control to replace the one in your radio. You can then use the original volume control knob on the radio to control the Bluetooth audio. Also, most boards with built-in amplifiers are stereo and require two speakers, which isn’t suitable for a vintage radio.

Please watch the video before buying the eBook. The eBook, in downloadable PDF format, is £3.95. Once you have paid for the eBook, I’ll send you the link to download it. Please ensure that your PayPal email address is correct as that is the email address I’ll use to send you the link. The PayPal buy now button is at the bottom of this page.

Please watch the video before buying the eBook

Please ensure that your PayPal email address is correct as that is the email address I’ll use to send you the link. The cost of the eBook is £3.95 which is not refundable.

I only work on 1940s British radios but I know that the Orion AR612 from Hungary is a popular radio. The Orion AR612 vintage valve radio was manufactured in circa 1960. The radio covers long, medium and short wave plus VHF FM. The radio utilises push button piano keys which can be problematic. It has a decent size speaker which gives good sound quality.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS

Manufactured from 1960
Long Medium and Short Wave plus VHF
Valves – ECC85 ECH81 EBF89 ECC83 EL84
EM80 EZ80
AC Supply

ORION AR612 service manual HERE

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.

The Co-oprative Society wanted to sell radio sets they could discount. This would obviously give them a great advantage over the competition but, due to retail price control, they were unable to. The answer was to manufacture their own sets. Or, find someone to make their own brand for them. They called their brand, Defiant… for obvious reasons.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS

Circa early 30s
Covers the Long and Medium Wave Bands
This is a TRF radio

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.

With materials in short supply during world war two, and money limited, a large number of people couldn’t afford to buy a radio to keep up with the latest news. So, the government came up with a plan. The idea was to get several radio manufacturers to produce a radio of a standard design. This initial design was undertaken by Dr G D Reynolds of Murphy Radio Ltd. The result was the Wartime Civilian or Utility Receiver which was an affordable and effective radio.

Long wave broadcasts were suspended during the war so the set only covered medium wave. Apparently, the cabinets were made from orange box wood to keep the cost down to a minimum. But, although these radios were basic and built to a price, they weren’t unattractive and they worked well.

Whether this is true or not, I don’t know… Radios packed in boxes marked ‘Civilian Utility Radio’ were regularly stolen from railway station platforms before they were loaded onto trains. To put a stop to the thieving, the radios were eventually sent out in unmarked boxes.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS

Manufactured from 1944
Medium Wave only
Retail price in £12 3s 4d
AC Supply

Free Service Manual HERE

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.

This is a genuine antique wireless, but it can also be used as an every day radio. It has a neon indicator for tuning into stations, which must have been unique in 1934. The sound quality is excellent and the radio looks beautiful – a real piece of furniture.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS
Manufactured from 1934
Covers the Long and Medium Wave Bands
AC Supply

Service Manual HERE

These radios were made in Czechoslovakia by Philips. Although they are nothing special, the Bullet-shaped Bakelite case has made them very popular among collectors.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS
Manufactured circa 1953
Long Medium and Short Wave
Valves – UCH21 UCH21 UBL21 UY1N
AC/DC Supply

Service Manual HERE

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.

This unusual radio was manufactured around 1946 by R.I. Limited of Purley Way Croydon, England. RI stands for Radio Instruments Ltd. The model is the Airflow 451 and it covers the long and medium wave bands. The loud speaker is huge and really pumps out the bass. Overall, a lovely art deco radio.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS
Manufactured from 1946
Long and Medium wave bands
AC Supply

The service manual for this radio is available in the Members’ Area here.

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.

This floor standing console radio was manufactured by RAP of London in 1946. It’s an up-market model with three short wave bands and an RF amplifier stage. It’s also a lovely looking piece of furniture. There’s an IF bandwidth switch, wide or narrow, which is as useful feature. An unusual feature of this radio is that one of the short wave bands is centered on 41.5 Mc/s – this is the old BBC VHF television sound channel. The dial is marked – Tele Sound. There’s something else which is extremely unusual… There’s a glass window at the back of the radio which is for viewing the glowing valves and the chromium-plated chassis. The RAP 846 is quite unique.

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.

This was a top of the range radio by Pye. The exceptional PE80 international features include… A push pull audio output stage with a ten inch speaker, an RF amplifier, nine short wave bands, a magic eye tuning indicator, a decent tone control circuit, nine valves and a magnificent contrasting walnut cabinet.

This is a big radio so don’t buy one for your bedside table. You will also need a decent outside aerial to make the most of the short wave bands.

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS
Manufactured from 1954
Long, Medium and nine Short Wave bands
Valves – EF41 – ECH42 – EF41 – EBC41
EM34 – EBC41 – EL41(2)
AC Supply

Cost new, in 1954 – 40Gns (£42)

The service manual for this radio is available in the Members’ Area here.

VINTAGE RADIO INFORMATION SITE.

I DO NOT REPAIR RADIOS.