This is really cool, only thing I would think would make it cooler is if you could integrate the Alexa light into the display somehow. Like make it light up the front tuner display when Alexa is listening? Would definitely add a cool factor to it. :)
I really, REALLY love seeing people who managed to implement modern functionalities in vintage technologies without modifying it's cosmetics outside, and I'm a sucker for it! You've appeared on my recommendation and it certainly caught my eye!
Many years ago I added Bluetooth to an early 80s radio. Was very proud of that creation. And now I need to add Alexa to a 70s machine! You've inspired me, thank you :)
upgraded nostalgia, well done! projects like this gives the unbreakable old devices even a longer lifespan and also new idea's for future projects for you and others. I am a-technical myself, but i appreciate your work. Fun to watch.
Splendid project Steve ... love the mix of old and new tech. How about finding a scrap 1940s/50s tv cabinet and fitting it with a tablet in place of the tube? Keep up the great work 👍😀
What about incorporating a toaster inside a Betamax video recorder? Would need to do something to stop oil from the cassette mechanism getting on to the bread though.
ive just found your channel and been binge watching your videos, really my cup of tea, love this kind of stuff and your work is brilliant, and you have Vince and Tronics fix follow you, wow , well done, your channel is going to be huge.
To tune in to SW you gotta have an outdoor antenna or a long wire attached to the radio at one end and the other end is out of the house. Great video 😊
Steve mate,i did the bluetooth hack to my cd/digital radio. I found the 5v DC power rail on the origininal motherboard and tapped into that,and wired the bluetooth output to the aux in socket . Nice job mate,please keep the vidyaas coming . You are funnier than MMV but he's still a tryer 😂.
😁 thanks Daveyboy! That sounds like an awesome mod! I'd like to do more stuff like that, there's something nice and rewarding about modernising old tech! 👍
Throughout my childhood, my grandfather had a really old stereo/amplifier system next to his chair. It had the most magnificently clunky switches and heavy, metals dials... it was beautiful. It's all I wanted when he passed because I wanted to do the same thing you had done to this bedside radio. After he passed I went to collect it, only to find that someone had thrown it out!! I can't quite explain what that piece of electronics meant to me but it meant far more than it could be worth in function or value. Not only did it hold some of my oldest, nostalgic feelings but it gave THE most pleasurably tactile feelings of a device (pun away!). I wish I had taken note of what brand it was, even if I couldn't have his, I could still have tracked down an alternate of it.
Nicely done! P.S. Shortwave is still going; I expect that to get good reception, you need a longwire and to situate it away from sources of interference.
I love the old radio Steve and then to put Alexa in great idea 💡 I have watched a few of your videos and enjoy the way you do your videos well done sir 👍👏👏😊
good idea as a whole.. there is one part which isn't needed though ! the second small amp..... you've got an amp (alexa plug) feeding another small Bluetooth amp feeding the radio amp. 3 amps in total, you could ditch the middle one (Bluetooth amp) and get the same if not better audio quality most likely.
I just found your channel so I have been binging a bit, and this has been my favorite video so far. One of my dream projects is turning a Sony Boombox from the 80s(Something like a Sound Rider) into a smart device.
Shortwave is alive and well. It just depends on your location, and time of day, and if the sun is acting a nut or not (the solar flux plays a huge roll in shortwave propagation, and a solar flair will kill reception). In the day time higher frequencies work better than low frequencies, at night lower frequencies do better than higher frequencies. It also depends on how good the antenna is, electrical interference is a constant issue with shortwave.
Truly Amazing Content !!! I am blown away with this idea ! Stumbled upon your channel for fixing/ repairing which I have been enjoying older episodes but then to find this nugget of cosmic mix of old retro nostalgia dragged into modern times! I wish I had the skills to do something like this….
Being a nerd for old vintage electronics, I feel I could do transporting back to the 70’s, and get to feel the vibes of those times. Good to keep old vintage electronics, bringing them upto the new era.👍
Im glad im not the only one that hurts himself opening these really old machines haha. Love this project, such a cool idea and could easily be adapted to any old system :D
What a great project. I've just picked up a couple of faulty Google Home devices that I want to play around with if I get them up and running. I'm going to have to keep an eye out for an old radio now!!!
Hi sorry i know this is off topic from this video but was watching the video where you fixed the psvr w no display on headset i have a psvr that i havnt touched in about a year because of this issue without all the equipment do you think it would be possible for me to fix it or not likely?
Hi! I imagine it's the same problem with the wiring, so the only secure way to do it would be to find the break (you may be able to do that just by looking if it's obvious) and solder them. Without a soldering iron, you could just wrap the wires back together and tape them but it would only be a temporary fix. I'd start by plugging it all back in and giving the wires a jiggle, see if the screen comes on at all. And then take it from there. Good luck! 👍
Hi, Stez! Yes, that DIN 5 is a tape deck connector. Pins 1 and 4 are for left and right, pin 2 is the common ground, and 3 and 5 are left and right outputs (to record a tape in the deck). The outputs come from the pre-amp, so you can use it as an output for a bigger amplifier if you wish to. :)
Nice work, I found a beautiful mid century solid wood cabinet tube stereo at a thrift store that I gave to my daughter, thinking my son in law could get the turntable going but it looks like I’m going to have to do it. In the back of my mind I wanted to get Alexa going on it but I think this might be slightly above my skill level. I have the basic concept but I have a feeling once I start messing with it I won’t be able to trouble shoot it well enough. But this is tempting me!
People watch these vids and read the comments even 2 years on. . . or is it just me? Anyway, this project was right in my wheelhouse. On behalf of a workmate I bought an old valve radio, recap'd the gutz, with caps (bought from Umerika) found the audio input and installed a balanced aux in lead out to an iPod which would hide behind the radio. The fella loved it; an old time radio sitting on his bar but magically playing "modern" digital music from its beautiful valve amplifier. There was no Alexa those days but I can see the huge advantage of integrating Siri or Alexa. Hmm.
👍 Thanks Vince, it was this one: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-7V-5V-Mini-Bluetooth-4-1-MP3-Decoder-Audio-Receiver-Lossless-Amplifier-Module-/192582713604?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
I love this idea!!!! Tried to make one myself using a preamp and and old passive mission speaker. Got it working but i have an insane amount of interference from the alexa motherboard. Any ideas?
Nice job & I am glad you still have all of your fingers. I put a Sonoff Mini R2 in my Mr. Coffee. I have a reminder on my watch that warns me if I leave it on for 4 hours. BTW I have 10 Alexa's and none are inside of a radio, GG.
Thank you! Not sure what make they are, they're pretty generic. I can't seem to find the exact one, but this one is very very close to it: amzn.to/3s92eld
great use of old tech, love it. I appreciate not using the wake word as I hate it when videos wake my echo. I was wondering how you handled the microphone? is it just the internal mic on the echo or did you use a higher pick up mic?
Thanks Robert! I used the internal mic as it seemed to be sensitive enough to pick everything up, even with the case around it. In hindsight, i would try to mount it closer to a vent or external hole of some kind. Alexa can't always hear me if the music is playing loud.
Wow never realized how much your huge 240v plug standard limits minimizing the size of things until I saw that amazon device. That is the size plug we use on our clothes dryers here in the States!
If it was smoke, I'm not so sure it wasn't reflection, but either way I don't think it would be caused by anything Steve did, that clock display was coming and going before he took it apart.
I have recently found your videos and have become a fan!! We are thrifters in Canada, we go to local yard sales and estate sales. I will be on the lookout for some broken electronics to send you!! Is there anything in particular you have been looking for from Canada?
Nice one Steve - just came across your channel now & subscribed. I'm 62 and love 70's equipment even though sadly I don't have any at the moment. I just have very fond memories of the quality of sound of that era - and especially bass. I supposedly have a good avr and speakers but can't get into listening to music on it at all - just doesn't have the punch I remember. It maybe because of the range of digital audio sources as well. I'll look at more of your videos - thanks for sharing.
Lovley looking radio - very cool 😎 I am in the middle of doing the same (with a slightly newer radio cassette) i am hoping to mount the Alexa lights on the front somewhere.
This is really cool even without the Alexa! Nice find! In 30 years people are going to be taking this apart again and wondering why there’s an outdated Alexa from a totally different time period. 😂
my mum and dad had one similar for their wedding present in 1974 ... it was a LLoytron fm am bedside clock radio with same red display and fake wooden sides ...
![30 ชั่วโมงคนเดียว บนรถไฟชั้น 3 โซเวียต [Around The World Ep. 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MlE9boAVqDA/mqdefault.jpg)
Looks constipated on the thumbnail.
I was a bit.
How does a mathematician cure constipation? He works it out with a pencil.
@@eclectarama 🤣🤣🤣
@@eclectarama The non-mathematicians just work it out on their fingers
@@dpowerful1 😀
This is really cool, only thing I would think would make it cooler is if you could integrate the Alexa light into the display somehow. Like make it light up the front tuner display when Alexa is listening? Would definitely add a cool factor to it. :)
And maybe repurpose one of the buttons on the radio as a mic mute, so She Who Shall Not Be Named isn't constantly listening from just by the bed 😳
You should have twitted the input cable to get less noise. Nice mod butifull radio 📻
I really, REALLY love seeing people who managed to implement modern functionalities in vintage technologies without modifying it's cosmetics outside, and I'm a sucker for it! You've appeared on my recommendation and it certainly caught my eye!
This is a great idea and having the finished product not even give a hint of the magic inside is brilliant. Love it!
Thank you! I'm really happy with how it turned out, no-one would ever know what's going on inside! 😊
just now at the end of the video lol I found out why you weren't actually saying alexa AND you sir are a genuine legend!
Many years ago I added Bluetooth to an early 80s radio. Was very proud of that creation. And now I need to add Alexa to a 70s machine! You've inspired me, thank you :)
upgraded nostalgia, well done! projects like this gives the unbreakable old devices even a longer lifespan and also new idea's for future projects for you and others. I am a-technical myself, but i appreciate your work. Fun to watch.
This is the smartest thing I’ve ever seen, modern technology with a 70’s aesthetic feel…utterly brilliant 👏🏻
Brilliant. I think that was an awesome thing to do and it truly sets you apart from someone who just repairs. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Oz, much appreciated! 👍
Splendid project Steve ... love the mix of old and new tech. How about finding a scrap 1940s/50s tv cabinet and fitting it with a tablet in place of the tube? Keep up the great work 👍😀
Thanks Chris! That sounds like a great idea! I'm definitely going to look into that! 👍
So much this ^
What about incorporating a toaster inside a Betamax video recorder?
Would need to do something to stop oil from the cassette mechanism getting on to the bread though.
Brilliant idea.
Not a good idea, I tried it, you can't get the new screen to look like an old crt screen, BUT maybe you can think of a way... 🤔
ive just found your channel and been binge watching your videos, really my cup of tea, love this kind of stuff and your work is brilliant, and you have Vince and Tronics fix follow you, wow , well done, your channel is going to be huge.
Thanks Dom! Really appreciate that. 👍
To tune in to SW you gotta have an outdoor antenna or a long wire attached to the radio at one end and the other end is out of the house. Great video 😊
Nicely done!
Thanks Vince! 👍
Thanks for your videos, I felt confident enough to repair a 1986 GDR record player (RFT SP 3001). And I made it work 👍
Steve mate,i did the bluetooth hack to my cd/digital radio.
I found the 5v DC power rail on the origininal motherboard and tapped into that,and wired the bluetooth output to the aux in socket .
Nice job mate,please keep the vidyaas coming .
You are funnier than MMV but he's still a tryer 😂.
😁 thanks Daveyboy! That sounds like an awesome mod! I'd like to do more stuff like that, there's something nice and rewarding about modernising old tech! 👍
Throughout my childhood, my grandfather had a really old stereo/amplifier system next to his chair. It had the most magnificently clunky switches and heavy, metals dials... it was beautiful. It's all I wanted when he passed because I wanted to do the same thing you had done to this bedside radio. After he passed I went to collect it, only to find that someone had thrown it out!! I can't quite explain what that piece of electronics meant to me but it meant far more than it could be worth in function or value. Not only did it hold some of my oldest, nostalgic feelings but it gave THE most pleasurably tactile feelings of a device (pun away!). I wish I had taken note of what brand it was, even if I couldn't have his, I could still have tracked down an alternate of it.
Nicely done! P.S. Shortwave is still going; I expect that to get good reception, you need a longwire and to situate it away from sources of interference.
Captain Mod! You're venturing to other territories never walked by Man! Wow! What a fine mod!
😁 thanks Pedro! 👍
What a fantastic idea. I'm on the look for an old radio now because this would be such a great conversation starter
As someone who struggles installing a light bulb this was quite impressive! Well done mate :)
I love the old radio Steve and then to put Alexa in great idea 💡 I have watched a few of your videos and enjoy the way you do your videos well done sir 👍👏👏😊
good idea as a whole.. there is one part which isn't needed though ! the second small amp..... you've got an amp (alexa plug) feeding another small Bluetooth amp feeding the radio amp. 3 amps in total, you could ditch the middle one (Bluetooth amp) and get the same if not better audio quality most likely.
but no bluetooth which is why he said he'd keep it
I just found your channel so I have been binging a bit, and this has been my favorite video so far. One of my dream projects is turning a Sony Boombox from the 80s(Something like a Sound Rider) into a smart device.
Shortwave is alive and well. It just depends on your location, and time of day, and if the sun is acting a nut or not (the solar flux plays a huge roll in shortwave propagation, and a solar flair will kill reception). In the day time higher frequencies work better than low frequencies, at night lower frequencies do better than higher frequencies. It also depends on how good the antenna is, electrical interference is a constant issue with shortwave.
Not to mention needing an antenna!
@@kastrosama It does have an antenna, it's that single thin black wire hanging out the back.
@@madmax2069 I spotted it after I commented. Nice build though!
Now this was rather interesting to watch there Steve that retro Ferguson radio & Alexa combo great idea you thought of there - Nice 1 mate 👍
Thanks Chris, I think it looks great and it works really well! 👍
Seriously, this channel is great. This chan deserves all the subs.
Thanks Stonecold! 😁
Truly Amazing Content !!! I am blown away with this idea ! Stumbled upon your channel for fixing/ repairing which I have been enjoying older episodes but then to find this nugget of cosmic mix of old retro nostalgia dragged into modern times! I wish I had the skills to do something like this….
yet again your reactions are priceless.
Being a nerd for old vintage electronics, I feel I could do transporting back to the 70’s, and get to feel the vibes of those times. Good to keep old vintage electronics, bringing them upto the new era.👍
Sat here with a beer again watching this Steve haha. Again pure genius ✅👍
😁 thanks Scott! Hope you enjoyed your beer! 😍
old tech circuit boards just look so much better than modern ones.
Im glad im not the only one that hurts himself opening these really old machines haha.
Love this project, such a cool idea and could easily be adapted to any old system :D
😁 thanks Tony! I thought it was just me, so that makes me feel better if others are hurting themselves too! 🤣
Great job Steve, i like it! The old Ferguson sounds pretty decent for the size the driver and tiny magnet.
Thanks Les! I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sound. Lacking a bit of bass, but the mids are excellent! 👍
Recently found your channel and I’m really enjoying your content. What you did in this video blew me away. Awesome
This is BLOODY BRILLIANT!
😊 thanks Matt!
I greet you, I think your videos are great, I could watch you all day... 🤗
Thanks Martin! 👍
What a great project.
I've just picked up a couple of faulty Google Home devices that I want to play around with if I get them up and running.
I'm going to have to keep an eye out for an old radio now!!!
Thanks Craig. I love the end result of this, especially since it still looks original. Good luck with the Google Home's 👍
That's the beauty of old electronics devices. You can bring them to the current times. Good luck bringing current electronics devices to 2070 though.
This is a great job you did, lad. Modernizing radios with Alexa is the greatest idea anyone came up with.
Nice work Steve and a nice upgrade loving the retro look
Thanks Stephen! Yeah, it looks awesome and it works really well. Very pleased with it! 👍
It's a triumph, great project!
PS Nana Mouskouri is a bit of a legend in my eyes. Still going at 88... bless.
This was such a fun video to watch, bringing vintage and new together.
Fantastic job.Amazing how something as old as me can be used with modern technology. (I can't).
🤣 thanks Chris!
Wow what a great idea Steve 💡 👏 😀 👍.....now you got me thinking 🤔 😀 I think I am going to do something like that....cheers mate 👍 👌 😀
It's great, I'm really happy with how it came out! There's something special about having new tech inside of old! 😁👍
I can't believe I have binge watched nearly all your vids, enjoyed every one too and my cats just lurve your singing... :P
😂 glad your cats enjoy! 🐈
Wow, you're one talented guy. Such a cool project
the smoke reflection at the end....nice!
Nice project man! Great video as usual, cheers!
Thanks James! Appreciate it! 👍
Steve if only your soldering was as good as your vibrato 15:16 🤣 jokes ass-ide, bloody good work on Mcgivering the radio!👍🏻
🤣 Thanks BeoGeek!
Brilliant, this has inspired me to order a soldering iron !
Hi sorry i know this is off topic from this video but was watching the video where you fixed the psvr w no display on headset i have a psvr that i havnt touched in about a year because of this issue without all the equipment do you think it would be possible for me to fix it or not likely?
Just realised how stupid this sounds i know i couldnt get it with no equipment but what im asking is d u know if theres a cheap way to do it?
Hi! I imagine it's the same problem with the wiring, so the only secure way to do it would be to find the break (you may be able to do that just by looking if it's obvious) and solder them. Without a soldering iron, you could just wrap the wires back together and tape them but it would only be a temporary fix. I'd start by plugging it all back in and giving the wires a jiggle, see if the screen comes on at all. And then take it from there. Good luck! 👍
@@StezStixFix thanks alot
Hi, Stez! Yes, that DIN 5 is a tape deck connector. Pins 1 and 4 are for left and right, pin 2 is the common ground, and 3 and 5 are left and right outputs (to record a tape in the deck). The outputs come from the pre-amp, so you can use it as an output for a bigger amplifier if you wish to. :)
But that is not a “line” output. Its a variable one
One of my favourite videos from you Steve, just a brilliant idea! Possibly the coolest Alexa device in the planet
One of your best thanks :) and we both said "INPUT" at the same time in Jonny 5 style :)
😁 brilliant!
This was a great idea. Made me think that I could do something similar with my dad's broken pickup player.
I loved this one. Good work year ago Steve!
Nice work, I found a beautiful mid century solid wood cabinet tube stereo at a thrift store that I gave to my daughter, thinking my son in law could get the turntable going but it looks like I’m going to have to do it. In the back of my mind I wanted to get Alexa going on it but I think this might be slightly above my skill level. I have the basic concept but I have a feeling once I start messing with it I won’t be able to trouble shoot it well enough. But this is tempting me!
You should give it a go! That would be awesome 👍
People watch these vids and read the comments even 2 years on. . . or is it just me?
Anyway, this project was right in my wheelhouse. On behalf of a workmate I bought an old valve radio, recap'd the gutz, with caps (bought from Umerika) found the audio input and installed a balanced aux in lead out to an iPod which would hide behind the radio. The fella loved it; an old time radio sitting on his bar but magically playing "modern" digital music from its beautiful valve amplifier. There was no Alexa those days but I can see the huge advantage of integrating Siri or Alexa. Hmm.
Hi steve another great video do you have a link too the bluetooth amp board you used thanks
👍 Thanks Vince, it was this one: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-7V-5V-Mini-Bluetooth-4-1-MP3-Decoder-Audio-Receiver-Lossless-Amplifier-Module-/192582713604?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
Steve great job I'm very impressed great job 👌 take care 👌
Thanks DR! 😍
Another nice mod. Radio takes me back to when I was a kid...all audio equip had to be the size of a bungalow and teak effect!
Absolutely Stuart! it's true, they don't make 'em like they used to! 😁
I love this idea!!!! Tried to make one myself using a preamp and and old passive mission speaker. Got it working but i have an insane amount of interference from the alexa motherboard. Any ideas?
Another clever mod!
Thanks Micro! 👍
Nice work, great idea too
Thanks Michael! 👍
Nice job & I am glad you still have all of your fingers. I put a Sonoff Mini R2 in my Mr. Coffee. I have a reminder on my watch that warns me if I leave it on for 4 hours. BTW I have 10 Alexa's and none are inside of a radio, GG.
What a great idea 💡 old tec with a new twist outstanding
Great idea, mate. Good video. Your subs are going thru the roof.
really cool idea and very nice execution!
hey Stez what was the make of those little amplifier boards would like to get one for my amp, Great mod btw
Thank you! Not sure what make they are, they're pretty generic. I can't seem to find the exact one, but this one is very very close to it: amzn.to/3s92eld
@@StezStixFix Thanks buddy i've ordered one
Love it, Steve.
Cheers Steve! 👍
The best part is - this radio can still work as intended. Strenghts of both, weaknesses of neither.
Seems like it has amazing sound quality ...I was actually surprised.
So you've basically created an internet radio from 1976... Well played Sir 👏👏
Awesome 👏 would upgrading the speaker make it sound better?
Love this upgrade
Loved the video ! Mate did similar thing with a old army field radio.
My absolute favorite of your videos!
Id love to see more videos like this where you add Alexa to stuff that don't normally have it, Great video
great use of old tech, love it. I appreciate not using the wake word as I hate it when videos wake my echo. I was wondering how you handled the microphone? is it just the internal mic on the echo or did you use a higher pick up mic?
Thanks Robert! I used the internal mic as it seemed to be sensitive enough to pick everything up, even with the case around it. In hindsight, i would try to mount it closer to a vent or external hole of some kind. Alexa can't always hear me if the music is playing loud.
Wow never realized how much your huge 240v plug standard limits minimizing the size of things until I saw that amazon device. That is the size plug we use on our clothes dryers here in the States!
Turned a perfectly good old clock radio into a spy device. Well done!
It's an upgraded and optional spy device, since - other than the original one - this one has a power button now, so it can be turned off at any point.
“Hey, wiretap! Could I get a recipe for Chicken Pot Pie?”
Was about to do this myself 🤦 then noticed the smoke coming from the clock at the end 🤣 great idea thou ❤️❤️❤️
If it was smoke, I'm not so sure it wasn't reflection, but either way I don't think it would be caused by anything Steve did, that clock display was coming and going before he took it apart.
good job unplugging that power cord before cutting it Steve!
Mate,, you're a genius 👍👏👏
I have recently found your videos and have become a fan!! We are thrifters in Canada, we go to local yard sales and estate sales. I will be on the lookout for some broken electronics to send you!! Is there anything in particular you have been looking for from Canada?
Well done, cool project! Did you consider replacing the speaker for a better/more modern one?
Love the mash up content! Keep up the great content!!
Thats so awesome!! Great job!
Nice one Steve - just came across your channel now & subscribed. I'm 62 and love 70's equipment even though sadly I don't have any at the moment. I just have very fond memories of the quality of sound of that era - and especially bass. I supposedly have a good avr and speakers but can't get into listening to music on it at all - just doesn't have the punch I remember. It maybe because of the range of digital audio sources as well.
I'll look at more of your videos - thanks for sharing.
This is maybe the coolest video you've done yet!
🤩 thanks Sixty! Really happy with how it turned out! 👍
Lovley looking radio - very cool 😎
I am in the middle of doing the same (with a slightly newer radio cassette) i am hoping to mount the Alexa lights on the front somewhere.
Hi Steve , can I get link on what small Bluetooth amplifier? Thank you
what amplifier board did you use?
beautiful piece
This is really cool even without the Alexa! Nice find! In 30 years people are going to be taking this apart again and wondering why there’s an outdated Alexa from a totally different time period. 😂
Such a cool thing. I'm gonna listen to Hipsway now.
Nice work. 👍
Thanks Mick! 😁
"Hey Matthew" LOL . Great upgrade :)
my mum and dad had one similar for their wedding present in 1974 ... it was a LLoytron fm am bedside clock radio with same red display and fake wooden sides ...
AC voltage near an old speaker... Mmm... I don't know.. Anyway, nice project 😉