My Antique Radio project - Finished! ...almost

[BrianB]

I thought some of you old enough to remember sitting around the radio listening to shows like Amos & Andy and Dimension X would like to see this. Starting out as a "wouldn't it be neat" project, I built a replica of a 1936 RCA 128 tombstone radio from scratch using pictures I found online. (The originals were mahogany, but I used red oak)



I didn't build this to listen to top 40 stations and Rush Limbaugh. I built this to listen to my sizeable old time radio collection (about 20,000 broadcasts). So I dug an old computer out of my closet and stuck it inside and wrote some software to play the shows.



I wanted to make this act as much like a real radio as possible, so it's entirely controlled using the tuner. You turn it on, and just like having to wait for tubes to warm up, the computer needs about 30 seconds to boot before it start playing shows. Once it's playing, the computer detects where the needle on the tuner is and plays a random show from a station selected. There are six stations to choose from: Comedy, Drama, News, SciFi, Westerns, and Music. When you're not on a station, the computer plays static just like a real radio. I made of a 1MB video clip of it working just in case that description didn't make sense. I haven't made the knobs yet, so ignore the makeshift tuning knob.

1MB Video Clip

That black cord coming straight out of the back of the radio is a network cable. Plugging into that allows you to access the internal web server that gives you a listing and short description of all of the shows available and even allows you to play specific shows if you want to.



Now that this is finished, I can focus on building a teardrop.

[DestinDave]

Well, I AM impressed !!! Building a teardrop should be a piece o'cake...
You think you could figure out how to wire it for sound?

[Nitetimes]

Very nice job!! That thing looks like an original, all that's missing is the old cloth covered cord.
Might just have to consider building something like that for my computer case.

[exminnesotaboy]

now, that is COOL!

[josephhanson]

Good looking radio!

[mikeschn]

Wow, I'm impressed... I don't suppose I could talk you into wiring my Lil Diner? You could do that with your eyes closed!!!

Mike...

[SteveH]

That's awesome, Brian. I'm impressed. Can't wait to see the teardrop you build.

[An Ol Timer]

Nice looking project. Brings back memories of sitting around the old coal pot-bellied stove in the living room and listening to the radio. Sky King, Jack Armstrong, The Shadow, ect. Over the years I sent for many a decoder ring!!!!!!!!!!!

[TomS]

Very very nice.

The cabinet is impressive enough. But, the conversion of the old computer and custom software development is simply astounding. You sir, are one talented individual.

[BrianB]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Hardest part is going to be giving it away. It's actually a Christmas present for my Dad that I didn't get finished in time.

Maybe he'd like a nice tie instead.

[Jiminsav]

nice job Brian..looks good..btw, do you happen to work at Dresser-Wayne?

[BrianB]

Nope, fraid not. Why do you ask?

[Denny Unfried]

Hey Brian,

Terrific!!! If ya have time I'd like one.

Love the old radio shows and also have a collection but not as large as yours. I have a tape player in the tear and always pack a few dozen radio shows to take along camping. Fun to just lay around in the dark and listen to some of the old shows that as a kid I listened to on a home build crystal set.

Denny

[Jiminsav]

Brian, I ask that of everyone i hear lives in austin..I work on dresser-wayne pumps and thats the company HQ..nosy bastard, ain't I..

[asianflava]

Heh, I've never heard of em so I looked them up. Website said that they employ 1800 people worldwide.