65 AM/FM Radio
My radio has a popping sound when first switched on, when turning the volume knob it responds with an intermitant static as well as poor almost non existant reception. It is a AM/FM with power ant which works perfectly. It is in a 19k mile origional car that was never removed. Any suggestions would be appreciated as well as who to send it to if I can not resolve this issue. Thanx Ted
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Re: 65 AM/FM Radio
Mine suffers from the same problem, but it's out of the car (a driver) now and replaced with a Custom Autosound unit. I recall some time ago reading a thread or two on such a problem and if memory serves, I think the volume control potentiometer might have been mentioned as the culprit. There are a number of (vintage) radio repair services out there and perhaps another member can recommend one they've had success with. If your car's just a driver and FM radio, with optional connections for IPOD/MP3 and/or CD player, while retaining the stock look and faceplate, there's a company offering replacement of the 'guts' with a modern (tiny) FM/amplifier module, but using the existing controls and faceplate. If I recall the name correctly it's restoration radio. I spoke to them at both Carlisle and Hershey this past year and the cost for a mid-year conversion is about $400+ I think.
Good luck,
grant -
Re: 65 AM/FM Radio
From your description it may well be two problems which are very common to our 63 to 67 radios. I saw these same problems just last week in another members radio.
The popping/bubbling sound is often due to a small electrolytic capacitor that is connected to the input contact on the volume control. It is mounted on the main circuit board and becomes electrically leaky which allows voltage to pass. This is most noticeable at the extremes of the controls range and is not costly to fix.
The scratchy noise may or may not be difficult/costly to fix. The carbon track that the volume control wiper travels becomes contaminated with dirt and/or corrosion and does not present a uniform resistance change when the control is turned. A VERY LIGHT treatment of cleaner solution may solve it. Taking the control apart and hand cleaning it is the second option and finally, replacing the control always fixes it. NOS controls are rare but still available.
If either of you want more detailed info or to have the radios checked, drop me a note.
By the way, the audio quality of the old brute force amplifiers in these 60's radios is amazing when fed directly from an IPod/MP3/CD player. I never expected it to perform so well. Hiding a small jack in the back of the radio gives much better quality than using the FM transmitter solution and is less than 1/10th of the the cost mentioned above.
Jerry #31874Comment
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