Antique radio and Ipod

12/17/2008 1:05:34 PMEdd(68554:68536)

For further clarification:
Sir Lewis. . . .
Ripped off all of that post in about 10 minutes and saw that the reduction of the graphics on the input and output
mottled it somewhat on definition, and now see that the graphics might have vaguely resembled a SS supressor symbol used for peak AF limiting. . . .but
nothing like THOSE AF levels are going to be present here. What the clarified graphic was, is a scope face depiction of a single sine waveform.
Depicting the stronger AF level present on the input and the resultant decreased amplitude being shown on the pad output side, but really needing to be reduced in size even far greater than I have it !

Sir Paul:

The initially depicted 10 ohm value was a center common value between the 8-16 ohm value that someone mentioned, researching the Sony I-pod
specs shows the 'pod earbuds at 16 ohms Z.

Soooooo you might opt between the common obtainable resistor values of 15, 27 or 33 ohms for that bottom load resistor value, with the higher value
creating higher AF p/to/p voltage, if it seems to be required by that RCA audio system. The very low bass response will taper down, but that speaker response in the RCA will never know about it, what with its limited lower end bass response capabilities.

On testing out, you might even find that with the volume on the 'pod at its upper level, it might still be a bit on the weak side on the available input to the RCA, if so, incrementally walk down the value of the 10K resistor.

A slight mismatch certainly beats a gross mismatching, like dumping the 'pod straight into the RCA would.

The break in the one channel of the 'pod headphone output was suggesting your initially testing a sole output to see how the level is, and then jump in the additional channel to confirm that the volume did not drop appreciably and the stereo effect was swung in.
The 'pods schema shows to have capacitive isolation in the outputs but IF you still experience an appreciable drop, consult the info Sir Tom provided on further capacitive isolation of the
two channels.

Sir Bill:

You'se dun won yer self. . . . . the "Super Sharp Eyed Silver Eagle Award". . . . for properly interpreting the graphics. . . . albeit fuzzy !

Lastly on the RCA radio's schematic, it definitely shows a switched action jack on that radio which disconnects the radio and solely has the top of the volume control receiving the phono cartridges input. One rare possibility is that the center connector/pin of the RCA plug that you are using is not going in far enough to engage that switching action.
Now -a - days all of the RCA plugs have that shorter length center connector pin, in the olden days the PREMIUM plugs even had a ceramic / bisque porcelain insulator supporting that center pin, or on the cheaper versions, a heavy cardboard insulator disc. Quick melting plastic is the norm now.

AND there was a short and a long connector pin option between different manufacturers. Look inside and check that possibility of the switch not being engaged.

In my early high school days all of my friends were errand-lawn work-carry out bag boys, while my easy money was coming in from modifying peoples
radios. They would buy the cheaper 45 RPM RCA automatic turntables instead of the much more expensive unit with the amp and cabinetry. I would than install
an RCA phono jack on their radios rear chassis apron and then go over to the osc section of the variable tuning condenser and ever so slightly peen a burr on the extreme
end of the rotor. In that manner when the radio was fully tuned to the 550 portion, the oscillator would disable ANY radio sound / static from the phono audio.

Newer Reference:

12/17/2008 1:08:02 PMEdd...my image didn't IMAGE !(68555:68536)

For further clarification:
Sir Lewis. . . .
Ripped off all of that post in about 10 minutes and saw that the reduction of the graphics on the input and output
mottled it somewhat on definition, and now see that the graphics might have vaguely resembled a SS supressor symbol used for peak AF limiting. . . .but
nothing like THOSE AF levels are going to be present here. What the clarified graphic was, is a scope face depiction of a single sine waveform.
Depicting the stronger AF level present on the input and the resultant decreased amplitude being shown on the pad output side, but really needing to be reduced in size even far greater than I have it !

Sir Paul:

The initially depicted 10 ohm value was a center common value between the 8-16 ohm value that someone mentioned, researching the Sony I-pod
specs shows the 'pod earbuds at 16 ohms Z.

Soooooo you might opt between the common obtainable resistor values of 15, 27 or 33 ohms for that bottom load resistor value, with the higher value
creating higher AF p/to/p voltage, if it seems to be required by that RCA audio system. The very low bass response will taper down, but that speaker response in the RCA will never know about it, what with its limited lower end bass response capabilities.

On testing out, you might even find that with the volume on the 'pod at its upper level, it might still be a bit on the weak side on the available input to the RCA, if so, incrementally walk down the value of the 10K resistor.

A slight mismatch certainly beats a gross mismatching, like dumping the 'pod straight into the RCA would.

The break in the one channel of the 'pod headphone output was suggesting your initially testing a sole output to see how the level is, and then jump in the additional channel to confirm that the volume did not drop appreciably and the stereo effect was swung in.
The 'pods schema shows to have capacitive isolation in the outputs but IF you still experience an appreciable drop, consult the info Sir Tom provided on further capacitive isolation of the
two channels.

Sir Bill:

You'se dun won yer self. . . . . the "Super Sharp Eyed Silver Eagle Award". . . . for properly interpreting the graphics. . . . albeit fuzzy !

Lastly on the RCA radio's schematic, it definitely shows a switched action jack on that radio which disconnects the radio and solely has the top of the volume control receiving the phono cartridges input. One rare possibility is that the center connector/pin of the RCA plug that you are using is not going in far enough to engage that switching action.
Now -a - days all of the RCA plugs have that shorter length center connector pin, in the olden days the PREMIUM plugs even had a ceramic / bisque porcelain insulator supporting that center pin, or on the cheaper versions, a heavy cardboard insulator disc. Quick melting plastic is the norm now.

AND there was a short and a long connector pin option between different manufacturers. Look inside and check that possibility of the switch not being engaged.

In my early high school days all of my friends were errand-lawn work-carry out bag boys, while my easy money was coming in from modifying peoples
radios. They would buy the cheaper 45 RPM RCA automatic turntables instead of the much more expensive unit with the amp and cabinetry. I would than install
an RCA phono jack on their radios rear chassis apron and then go over to the osc section of the variable tuning condenser and ever so slightly peen a burr on the extreme
end of the rotor. In that manner when the radio was fully tuned to the 550 portion, the oscillator would disable ANY radio sound / static from the phono audio.

Newer Reference:

73's de Edd

12/18/2008 2:23:01 AMPaul(68584:68555)

Edd, great writing and graphics, it must have taken some time. Yes you are right about the pin being long enough (see post to tony), do you know where I could find one of those pins from those great days? then I could move on with the schematic.
Thank you,
Paul

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:For further clarification:
:
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:Sir Lewis. . . .
:Ripped off all of that post in about 10 minutes and saw that the reduction of the graphics on the input and output
: mottled it somewhat on definition, and now see that the graphics might have vaguely resembled a SS supressor symbol used for peak AF limiting. . . .but
:nothing like THOSE AF levels are going to be present here. What the clarified graphic was, is a scope face depiction of a single sine waveform.
:Depicting the stronger AF level present on the input and the resultant decreased amplitude being shown on the pad output side, but really needing to be reduced in size even far greater than I have it !
:
:

:
:Sir Paul:
:
:The initially depicted 10 ohm value was a center common value between the 8-16 ohm value that someone mentioned, researching the Sony I-pod
:specs shows the 'pod earbuds at 16 ohms Z.
:
:Soooooo you might opt between the common obtainable resistor values of 15, 27 or 33 ohms for that bottom load resistor value, with the higher value
:creating higher AF p/to/p voltage, if it seems to be required by that RCA audio system. The very low bass response will taper down, but that speaker response in the RCA will never know about it, what with its limited lower end bass response capabilities.
:
:On testing out, you might even find that with the volume on the 'pod at its upper level, it might still be a bit on the weak side on the available input to the RCA, if so, incrementally walk down the value of the 10K resistor.
:
:A slight mismatch certainly beats a gross mismatching, like dumping the 'pod straight into the RCA would.
:
:The break in the one channel of the 'pod headphone output was suggesting your initially testing a sole output to see how the level is, and then jump in the additional channel to confirm that the volume did not drop appreciably and the stereo effect was swung in.
: The 'pods schema shows to have capacitive isolation in the outputs but IF you still experience an appreciable drop, consult the info Sir Tom provided on further capacitive isolation of the
:two channels.
:
:

:
:Sir Bill:
:
:You'se dun won yer self. . . . . the "Super Sharp Eyed Silver Eagle Award". . . . for properly interpreting the graphics. . . . albeit fuzzy !
:
:
:
:Lastly on the RCA radio's schematic, it definitely shows a switched action jack on that radio which disconnects the radio and solely has the top of the volume control receiving the phono cartridges input. One rare possibility is that the center connector/pin of the RCA plug that you are using is not going in far enough to engage that switching action.
: Now -a - days all of the RCA plugs have that shorter length center connector pin, in the olden days the PREMIUM plugs even had a ceramic / bisque porcelain insulator supporting that center pin, or on the cheaper versions, a heavy cardboard insulator disc. Quick melting plastic is the norm now.
:
:AND there was a short and a long connector pin option between different manufacturers. Look inside and check that possibility of the switch not being engaged.
:
:
:
:In my early high school days all of my friends were errand-lawn work-carry out bag boys, while my easy money was coming in from modifying peoples
:radios. They would buy the cheaper 45 RPM RCA automatic turntables instead of the much more expensive unit with the amp and cabinetry. I would than install
:an RCA phono jack on their radios rear chassis apron and then go over to the osc section of the variable tuning condenser and ever so slightly peen a burr on the extreme
:end of the rotor. In that manner when the radio was fully tuned to the 550 portion, the oscillator would disable ANY radio sound / static from the phono audio.
:
:
:
:Newer Reference:
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:73's de Edd
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12/18/2008 2:05:27 AMPaul(68581:68536)

Tony, you are right, the first problem here is that the RCA jack tip is not long enough to make the connection inside the "phono" jack in the radio. When I jammed it in and held it in with great pressure and put my finger on the other tip as Tom suggested I heard a 60 cycle hum. I then hooked up(my Grandfathers phrase) my Ipod with a stereo to mono jack through the RCA connector and behold I heard the IPOD sound, but only one channel. I tried to bend it a little but either side (the radio and Ipod) would not play and spent some time getting the tips to touch when the RCA jack was out. So without further fiddling around, I should leave well enough alone without breaking it. I believe I need a longer RCA tip as EDD made reference to and then on to the Edd and Tom schematics, any suggestions where to find such a jack or any suggestions in this matter?
Paul

:In looking at the schematic, I don't think we're dealing with a simple RCA connection are we? It appears that it is a shorting type plug that when unoccupied, connects the radio audio via the
:"tip" connection short to the IF output. When a plug is inserted, the "tip" is disconnected from the IF output and passes on whatever AF signal is present on the inserted plug's "tip". Whatever the case may be, you would use a mono plug and a circuit like Edd has shown. Perhaps if it is a stereo type (tip/ring/sleeve), it may not being making contact with either the tip or sleeve resulting in no audio. Also check the chassis connection on the radio plug. If that was missing, you'd have no external audio either, but the radio work fine as that connection is used only with a plug is inserted. Good luck!
:
::Rob, great point, I do not have a slide, it's just a phono jack in the back. Perhaps I am shorting it out.Is there a device that brings the stereo sound together to mono to hear all of the sounds? instead of the standard couplings that I have used. Also, which volume should be used? I have tried both however.
::Thank you,
::Paul
::
::
:::i have hooked up an ipod to an rca 9x561 i think with the phono jack on the back. slide switch to phono position and set the ipod volume to make sure there is no overdriving. maybe your connecting cables are shorting the signal out somehow? the ipod output is stereo - how are you converting to the mono connection of the rca?
:::
::::Ed, I am also not an Ipod person but love the old music on demand instead of searching for weak stations on AM. so.........
::::Do you know of a such a transformer or like device to power it, and does it need to be mounted and powered from within the radio cabinet?
::::Paul
::::
::::
::::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
::::::Paul
:::::
:::::I am not much of an ipod person, but I suspect that the ipod output is intended to drive a low impedance (8 or 16 ohms) device such as headphones. A tube-type radio with a phono jack is looking for a high impedance input, in the order of 10,000 ohms or more. You probably need a matching transformer between the two.

12/18/2008 7:12:35 AMTonyJ(68586:68581)

One thing you could do if you don't mind modifying the chassis slightly is adding a small toggle switch on the back of the chassis as well as replace the RCA jack with a more modern non-shorting type. You would basically route the volume control to the center or common of a SPDT switch, and the RCA signal input to one of the outside contacts, and the IF output to the other. That way you wouldn't have to worry about finding a special RCA plug to make that existing connection work. For that matter, you could install two RCA plugs and combine the left and right signals as Edd has shown just inside the chassis and use a standard 1/8" stereo to dual RCA jack cable for connection to the radio.
:
:Tony, you are right, the first problem here is that the RCA jack tip is not long enough to make the connection inside the "phono" jack in the radio. When I jammed it in and held it in with great pressure and put my finger on the other tip as Tom suggested I heard a 60 cycle hum. I then hooked up(my Grandfathers phrase) my Ipod with a stereo to mono jack through the RCA connector and behold I heard the IPOD sound, but only one channel. I tried to bend it a little but either side (the radio and Ipod) would not play and spent some time getting the tips to touch when the RCA jack was out. So without further fiddling around, I should leave well enough alone without breaking it. I believe I need a longer RCA tip as EDD made reference to and then on to the Edd and Tom schematics, any suggestions where to find such a jack or any suggestions in this matter?
:Paul
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
::In looking at the schematic, I don't think we're dealing with a simple RCA connection are we? It appears that it is a shorting type plug that when unoccupied, connects the radio audio via the
::"tip" connection short to the IF output. When a plug is inserted, the "tip" is disconnected from the IF output and passes on whatever AF signal is present on the inserted plug's "tip". Whatever the case may be, you would use a mono plug and a circuit like Edd has shown. Perhaps if it is a stereo type (tip/ring/sleeve), it may not being making contact with either the tip or sleeve resulting in no audio. Also check the chassis connection on the radio plug. If that was missing, you'd have no external audio either, but the radio work fine as that connection is used only with a plug is inserted. Good luck!
::
:::Rob, great point, I do not have a slide, it's just a phono jack in the back. Perhaps I am shorting it out.Is there a device that brings the stereo sound together to mono to hear all of the sounds? instead of the standard couplings that I have used. Also, which volume should be used? I have tried both however.
:::Thank you,
:::Paul
:::
:::
::::i have hooked up an ipod to an rca 9x561 i think with the phono jack on the back. slide switch to phono position and set the ipod volume to make sure there is no overdriving. maybe your connecting cables are shorting the signal out somehow? the ipod output is stereo - how are you converting to the mono connection of the rca?
::::
:::::Ed, I am also not an Ipod person but love the old music on demand instead of searching for weak stations on AM. so.........
:::::Do you know of a such a transformer or like device to power it, and does it need to be mounted and powered from within the radio cabinet?
:::::Paul
:::::
:::::
:::::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
:::::::Paul
::::::
::::::I am not much of an ipod person, but I suspect that the ipod output is intended to drive a low impedance (8 or 16 ohms) device such as headphones. A tube-type radio with a phono jack is looking for a high impedance input, in the order of 10,000 ohms or more. You probably need a matching transformer between the two.

12/18/2008 7:03:09 PMEdd(68602:68586)

Sir Paul:

I guess that we need a fill in on the values of ree-sistors that you finally ended up using on the pad AND if the volume on the RCA was adequate for that evaluation instance in time that you were actually able to barely push in the RCA connector to initiate an AF switching action.

Someone else might come along with the same situation, and you will have already provided the resistor info in this post for others in the future.
It so happens that I have a current quickie project ongoing for "Granny Goodknockers" a few houses down, in aiding her in a near coming Feb deadline in getting her TeeWee hooked up to a Digital converter box, her problem being the fringing onset of Alzheimer’s.
I can already see that it would be a challenge for her to remember to initially turn on the converter box with ITS remote, get in the Digital mode, then find the OLD TV's remote and turn on the old TV and get on channel 3 , switch into different and newer digital channels in the Digital mode,yada-yada-yada. . . .I can see that she won't be able to HANDLE all of that.

What I am doing is accessing a switched 5V supply with in the converter box and routing it out to the old TV thru a shielded RCA connector and line, just like I will be using a like set of RCA lines to connect raw video and audio into the old TV. . .PLUS that switched 5v will activate a Solid State relay within the old TV set for switching it on simultaneously, such that she will only need the ONE new digital remote to do it all. . . .along with my little pages of digitalized photos of the remote hand unit and typed instructions such that she can review ALL . . . .every day. . . .if she needs it. ( Along with all of the new friends that she will be meeting every morning in the future.)

BUUUUUUUTTTT. . ..how all of that ties into you. . . . all within 12 degrees of coincidentality. . . . .is that in my storage and digging thru (4) 24x12x12" boxes marked CONNECTORS. . . .in order to finally decide upon a small blue 4 terminal Berg socket, to make a plug in connection to the Digital converter box for outputting that Sw+5vdc control signal.

I happened to have run across 2 of those older RCA loooong plugs. . . .so one of them can have your name on it . . . .au gratis. . .if you merely activate your e-mail addee. . .sandwiched below your . . . .Name and the typing Dialog box. . . .on the next post so I can then ask for a mailing addee to send your care package to.

If you find yourself deficient of 93 years of solder-er-er-ing experience, as well as not flawlessly meeting NASA and Mil Spec qualifications, let me know the LENGTH of shielded pigtail desired, and I will ADDITIONALLY prepare the loooooong RCA plug with that.

If one were to lay the 2 resistors out . . .staggered. . .in the same hoz plane placement, that node then would be capable of being covered with heat shrink tubing and make a quite neat overall mechanical appearance of the interfacing.

Graphics. . . . .about 7 minutes. . . .hummmmmm ?. . . .doesn't that 14 carat gold framing eeeeeerilly dupe that mini stereo phone jack ?

Graphics Referencing:

73's de Edd

12/19/2008 12:22:49 PMPaul(68624:68602)

Edd,
E-mail posted, I will confer privately with you about the long RCA plug.
Thank you for your reply. The only testing I did was using an adapter that I bought in the summer at Radio Shack. The adapter has one end (Male) that fit into the pod and the other end (Female) that housed an RCA plug. Then using a standard RCA wire with two male connections, I put one end into the adapter and the other into the radio. At first as stated I heard nothing then after reading Tony J’s and Tom’s posting as well as yours and others I decided to force it in trying a few of the RCA wires that I had on hand. Only one was able to make contact, for whatever reason that may be. The adapter’s pod side had only one black ring on it, as the ear buds that came with the pod have two white rings. So my strong assumption is that I was only getting one channel playing as per the adapter chose. So I have not tried yet using the resistor/capacitor setup that you and Tom have suggested as of yet. I want to obtain all the parts necessary before I try such a task.
Noted however as Tom stated the setup is similar as the AM transmitter mentioned.
The volume was controlled by either the pod or the radio but the radio was much more powerful and no fiddling has to be done with that aspect. I work several jobs so time is the element as I also will have to order all the parts via the internet as there is no place around here that offer any parts. I will be gladdened to post the results when finished.

Paul (Vincent Paul)

P.s. It is wonderful to hear that you are helping "Granny Goodknockers", a person in need, for what the world would be if it was empty of the good hearted.

:
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:
:
:
:
:Sir Paul:
:
:
:I guess that we need a fill in on the values of ree-sistors that you finally ended up using on the pad AND if the volume on the RCA was adequate for that evaluation instance in time that you were actually able to barely push in the RCA connector to initiate an AF switching action.
:
:
:Someone else might come along with the same situation, and you will have already provided the resistor info in this post for others in the future.
:
:
:It so happens that I have a current quickie project ongoing for "Granny Goodknockers" a few houses down, in aiding her in a near coming Feb deadline in getting her TeeWee hooked up to a Digital converter box, her problem being the fringing onset of Alzheimer’s.
:I can already see that it would be a challenge for her to remember to initially turn on the converter box with ITS remote, get in the Digital mode, then find the OLD TV's remote and turn on the old TV and get on channel 3 , switch into different and newer digital channels in the Digital mode,yada-yada-yada. . . .I can see that she won't be able to HANDLE all of that.
:
:
:What I am doing is accessing a switched 5V supply with in the converter box and routing it out to the old TV thru a shielded RCA connector and line, just like I will be using a like set of RCA lines to connect raw video and audio into the old TV. . .PLUS that switched 5v will activate a Solid State relay within the old TV set for switching it on simultaneously, such that she will only need the ONE new digital remote to do it all. . . .along with my little pages of digitalized photos of the remote hand unit and typed instructions such that she can review ALL . . . .every day. . . .if she needs it. ( Along with all of the new friends that she will be meeting every morning in the future.)
:
:
:
:BUUUUUUUTTTT. . ..how all of that ties into you. . . . all within 12 degrees of coincidentality. . . . .is that in my storage and digging thru (4) 24x12x12" boxes marked CONNECTORS. . . .in order to finally decide upon a small blue 4 terminal Berg socket, to make a plug in connection to the Digital converter box for outputting that Sw+5vdc control signal.
:
:I happened to have run across 2 of those older RCA loooong plugs. . . .so one of them can have your name on it . . . .au gratis. . .if you merely activate your e-mail addee. . .sandwiched below your . . . .Name and the typing Dialog box. . . .on the next post so I can then ask for a mailing addee to send your care package to.
:
:
:
:If you find yourself deficient of 93 years of solder-er-er-ing experience, as well as not flawlessly meeting NASA and Mil Spec qualifications, let me know the LENGTH of shielded pigtail desired, and I will ADDITIONALLY prepare the loooooong RCA plug with that.
:
:If one were to lay the 2 resistors out . . .staggered. . .in the same hoz plane placement, that node then would be capable of being covered with heat shrink tubing and make a quite neat overall mechanical appearance of the interfacing.
:
:
:
:Graphics. . . . .about 7 minutes. . . .hummmmmm ?. . . .doesn't that 14 carat gold framing eeeeeerilly dupe that mini stereo phone jack ?
:
:
:
:
:
:Graphics Referencing:
:
:
:

:
:

:
:73's de Edd
:
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:

12/19/2008 12:26:16 PMPaul(68626:68586)

Tony, thank you, you have been so helpful. I will try that if this project fails.
Paul
:One thing you could do if you don't mind modifying the chassis slightly is adding a small toggle switch on the back of the chassis as well as replace the RCA jack with a more modern non-shorting type. You would basically route the volume control to the center or common of a SPDT switch, and the RCA signal input to one of the outside contacts, and the IF output to the other. That way you wouldn't have to worry about finding a special RCA plug to make that existing connection work. For that matter, you could install two RCA plugs and combine the left and right signals as Edd has shown just inside the chassis and use a standard 1/8" stereo to dual RCA jack cable for connection to the radio.
::
::Tony, you are right, the first problem here is that the RCA jack tip is not long enough to make the connection inside the "phono" jack in the radio. When I jammed it in and held it in with great pressure and put my finger on the other tip as Tom suggested I heard a 60 cycle hum. I then hooked up(my Grandfathers phrase) my Ipod with a stereo to mono jack through the RCA connector and behold I heard the IPOD sound, but only one channel. I tried to bend it a little but either side (the radio and Ipod) would not play and spent some time getting the tips to touch when the RCA jack was out. So without further fiddling around, I should leave well enough alone without breaking it. I believe I need a longer RCA tip as EDD made reference to and then on to the Edd and Tom schematics, any suggestions where to find such a jack or any suggestions in this matter?
::Paul
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
:::In looking at the schematic, I don't think we're dealing with a simple RCA connection are we? It appears that it is a shorting type plug that when unoccupied, connects the radio audio via the
:::"tip" connection short to the IF output. When a plug is inserted, the "tip" is disconnected from the IF output and passes on whatever AF signal is present on the inserted plug's "tip". Whatever the case may be, you would use a mono plug and a circuit like Edd has shown. Perhaps if it is a stereo type (tip/ring/sleeve), it may not being making contact with either the tip or sleeve resulting in no audio. Also check the chassis connection on the radio plug. If that was missing, you'd have no external audio either, but the radio work fine as that connection is used only with a plug is inserted. Good luck!
:::
::::Rob, great point, I do not have a slide, it's just a phono jack in the back. Perhaps I am shorting it out.Is there a device that brings the stereo sound together to mono to hear all of the sounds? instead of the standard couplings that I have used. Also, which volume should be used? I have tried both however.
::::Thank you,
::::Paul
::::
::::
:::::i have hooked up an ipod to an rca 9x561 i think with the phono jack on the back. slide switch to phono position and set the ipod volume to make sure there is no overdriving. maybe your connecting cables are shorting the signal out somehow? the ipod output is stereo - how are you converting to the mono connection of the rca?
:::::
::::::Ed, I am also not an Ipod person but love the old music on demand instead of searching for weak stations on AM. so.........
::::::Do you know of a such a transformer or like device to power it, and does it need to be mounted and powered from within the radio cabinet?
::::::Paul
::::::
::::::
::::::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
::::::::Paul
:::::::
:::::::I am not much of an ipod person, but I suspect that the ipod output is intended to drive a low impedance (8 or 16 ohms) device such as headphones. A tube-type radio with a phono jack is looking for a high impedance input, in the order of 10,000 ohms or more. You probably need a matching transformer between the two.

12/17/2008 2:44:49 AMTom(68547:68509)

I think you should check to make sure the audio input to the radio is working. Try touching the center conductor with your finger. You should hear 60 cycle hum. If you don't, fix that first. You also can try other audio sources. Try a CD player or the audio output of a computer. You need to get the audio voltage correct for the input of the amplifier. The output for 32 ohm head phones should be okay. You can adjust the level with the volume control. If you use a 32 ohm to 1000 ohm transformer you will be upping the voltage quite a bit. It probably will be too much for the input and clipping will occur. You can mix the left and right channels with two resistors. Take the Left channel and run it to 0.1 uf capacitor then to a 4.7k resistor. Do the same with the right channel. The output of the two resistors are connected together. Then that goes to the amplifier. This website (http://audiosystemsgroup.com/HamInterfacing.pdf) has a presentation on driving a microphone input (hi z) with a low level output like a headphone output. The 4th slide states we don't have to match impedance. Later slides talk about getting the levels correct. You can make the connection with out the DC blocking capacitor and it will work. But I have a radio where the input connection is direct to the grid of the audio tube. If there is a short from the plate to the grid, the plate voltage would distroy the audio amplifier output of my CD player or MP3 player.
There is another way to listen to audio on old radios. Use a SStran AMT3000 AM Transmitter. It has very good audio processing and sounds great. It has two inputs for the left and right channels and mixes them with two resistors and two capacitors.

Tom

12/18/2008 2:15:58 AMPaul(68582:68547)

Tom, low and behold your test worked (See reply to Tony). Thank you for the description on how to convert mono two channels into one. What voltages to use for caps? and wattages for resistors? 1/2 Watt? Once I can get passed the RCA connection problem I can move on to the joining of the channels, any suggestions or where to find a long RCA plug? Also, I looked at the ear buds for the Ipod and (from the outside) only one wire leading from the pod to a "Y" type of plastic and then one wire to each ear bud (very thin). Shouldn't there be three somewhere?
Thanks,
Paul
:
:I think you should check to make sure the audio input to the radio is working. Try touching the center conductor with your finger. You should hear 60 cycle hum. If you don't, fix that first. You also can try other audio sources. Try a CD player or the audio output of a computer. You need to get the audio voltage correct for the input of the amplifier. The output for 32 ohm head phones should be okay. You can adjust the level with the volume control. If you use a 32 ohm to 1000 ohm transformer you will be upping the voltage quite a bit. It probably will be too much for the input and clipping will occur. You can mix the left and right channels with two resistors. Take the Left channel and run it to 0.1 uf capacitor then to a 4.7k resistor. Do the same with the right channel. The output of the two resistors are connected together. Then that goes to the amplifier. This website (http://audiosystemsgroup.com/HamInterfacing.pdf) has a presentation on driving a microphone input (hi z) with a low level output like a headphone output. The 4th slide states we don't have to match impedance. Later slides talk about getting the levels correct. You can make the connection with out the DC blocking capacitor and it will work. But I have a radio where the input connection is direct to the grid of the audio tube. If there is a short from the plate to the grid, the plate voltage would distroy the audio amplifier output of my CD player or MP3 player.
:
:There is another way to listen to audio on old radios. Use a SStran AMT3000 AM Transmitter. It has very good audio processing and sounds great. It has two inputs for the left and right channels and mixes them with two resistors and two capacitors.
:
:Tom
:

12/18/2008 4:09:11 PMTom(68597:68582)

The voltages coming out of the iPOD are very low and there is almost no current when driving a high impedance load. So you can use capacitors with a voltage rating 2x the voltage of the battery in the iPOD. The resistors can be 1/8 watt or higher. What ever is easy to get. I looked at your radio and your connection goes into the volume control so there should be no voltage coming back from it even if a tube shorts.

12/19/2008 12:24:29 PMPaul(68625:68597)

Tom, thank you, you have been so kind and informative, I can not wait to get this project under way.
Paul

:The voltages coming out of the iPOD are very low and there is almost no current when driving a high impedance load. So you can use capacitors with a voltage rating 2x the voltage of the battery in the iPOD. The resistors can be 1/8 watt or higher. What ever is easy to get. I looked at your radio and your connection goes into the volume control so there should be no voltage coming back from it even if a tube shorts.

12/21/2008 1:46:12 AMPaul(68708:68597)

Tom, sorry to bother you once again. I am trying to draw a schematic (I have not done one before) but in the physical sense. Are the capacitors and the resistors each wired in series? and then tied to the center pin of the RCA plug? does any of the componets tie to the common? ie: from each channel to one end of the capacitor then from the other end of the capacitor to one end of the resistor then from the other end(s) of the resistor(s) to the center pin (amplifier)?
Paul
you wrote:You can mix the left and right channels with two resistors. Take the Left channel and run it to 0.1 uf capacitor then to a 4.7k resistor. Do the same with the right channel. The output of the two resistors are connected together. Then that goes to the amplifier.

:The voltages coming out of the iPOD are very low and there is almost no current when driving a high impedance load. So you can use capacitors with a voltage rating 2x the voltage of the battery in the iPOD. The resistors can be 1/8 watt or higher. What ever is easy to get. I looked at your radio and your connection goes into the volume control so there should be no voltage coming back from it even if a tube shorts.

12/22/2008 1:35:18 PMTom(68768:68708)

Here is the schematic to mix stereo to mono.
I hope this looks okay after I sent it.
resistors capacitors
L---/\/\/\/\---||----+------ Mono out
|
R---/\/\/\/\---||----|
right & left channel shield (ground) tie together.
L---------+----------- ground out
R---------|

12/22/2008 1:37:01 PMTom(68769:68768)

the vertical bar is in the wrong place. The two capacitors connect together to the mono out.

12/26/2008 1:14:16 AMPaul(68897:68769)

Tom, are these non-polarized caps?
Paul

:the vertical bar is in the wrong place. The two capacitors connect together to the mono out.

12/29/2008 1:55:12 PMTom(69007:68897)

Yes

12/19/2008 9:26:56 PMCarl Crabtree(68647:68509)

:Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
:Paul

12/19/2008 9:39:57 PMCarl Crabtree(68649:68647)

::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
::Paul
To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
Sorry for the double post.

12/21/2008 6:10:24 PMplasnigan(68731:68649)

Paul, I have a question regarding the RCA connector that you say is on the RCA Victor X551. When you say RCA connector are you referring to the connect on the RCA UNIT or do you mean the connector on that UNIT is an RCA connector. I have never seen or heard about and RCA jack with switch. I went to the Mouser catalog and could not find such a jack. The schematic shows a jack with N/C switch but I believe it is some other form than RCA and that is why it will not operate when you use an RCA plug. The reason I mention this is tyhat the Ipod must put out more power than an old crystal phono cartridge which radio was made to pick up. I've stuck in a portable CD player on my Signal Tracer (connecting only one side of stereo) and had fine results. Bear in mind I have a tin ear so any frequency loss would not be noticed. Why don't you double check that jack. PL

:::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
:::Paul
:
:To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
:So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
:Sorry for the double post.

12/21/2008 6:14:52 PMplanigan(68732:68731)

To Everyone, sorry about the typos in last post, I didn't even get my name right!
: Paul, I have a question regarding the RCA connector that you say is on the RCA Victor X551. When you say RCA connector are you referring to the connect on the RCA UNIT or do you mean the connector on that UNIT is an RCA connector. I have never seen or heard about and RCA jack with switch. I went to the Mouser catalog and could not find such a jack. The schematic shows a jack with N/C switch but I believe it is some other form than RCA and that is why it will not operate when you use an RCA plug. The reason I mention this is tyhat the Ipod must put out more power than an old crystal phono cartridge which radio was made to pick up. I've stuck in a portable CD player on my Signal Tracer (connecting only one side of stereo) and had fine results. Bear in mind I have a tin ear so any frequency loss would not be noticed. Why don't you double check that jack. PL
:
:
::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
::::Paul
::
::To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
::So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
::Sorry for the double post.

12/21/2008 8:43:09 PMPaul(68738:68732)

Mr. Planigan, the unit is a RCA X551, The adapter I used from Radio shack has one end (Male) that fit into the pod and the other end (Female) which housed an RCA plug (stereo to mono setup).I had a double wire set up from a few years ago colored coded red and yellow on each side-both males. Then using one standard RCA wire with two male connections, I put one end into the adapter and the other into the radio. At first I heard nothing then after reading Tony J’s and Tom’s posting as well as Edd's about pin lenght I decided to force one in. Only one was able to make contact as I had to continue to hold it, for whatever reason that may be, they looked exactly the same. Opening up the radio confirmed the lack of length. The adapter’s pod side had only one black ring on it, as the ear buds that came with the pod have two white rings. So my strong assumption is that I was only getting one channel playing as the adapter had chosen.
I hope I explained it properly.
Thank you,
Paul

: To Everyone, sorry about the typos in last post, I didn't even get my name right!
:
:
:
:: Paul, I have a question regarding the RCA connector that you say is on the RCA Victor X551. When you say RCA connector are you referring to the connect on the RCA UNIT or do you mean the connector on that UNIT is an RCA connector. I have never seen or heard about and RCA jack with switch. I went to the Mouser catalog and could not find such a jack. The schematic shows a jack with N/C switch but I believe it is some other form than RCA and that is why it will not operate when you use an RCA plug. The reason I mention this is tyhat the Ipod must put out more power than an old crystal phono cartridge which radio was made to pick up. I've stuck in a portable CD player on my Signal Tracer (connecting only one side of stereo) and had fine results. Bear in mind I have a tin ear so any frequency loss would not be noticed. Why don't you double check that jack. PL
::
::
:::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
:::::Paul
:::
:::To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
:::So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
:::Sorry for the double post.

12/21/2008 8:40:36 PMPaul(68737:68731)

Mr. Planigan, the unit is a RCA X551, The adapter I used from Radio shack has one end (Male) that fit into the pod and the other end (Female) which housed an RCA plug (stereo to mono setup).I had a double wire set up from a few years ago colored coded red and yellow on each side-both males. Then using one standard RCA wire with two male connections, I put one end into the adapter and the other into the radio. At first I heard nothing then after reading Tony J’s and Tom’s posting as well as Edd's about pin lenght I decided to force one in. Only one was able to make contact as I had to continue to hold it, for whatever reason that may be, they looked exactly the same. Opening up the radio confirmed the lack of length. The adapter’s pod side had only one black ring on it, as the ear buds that came with the pod have two white rings. So my strong assumption is that I was only getting one channel playing as the adapter had chosen.

: Paul, I have a question regarding the RCA connector that you say is on the RCA Victor X551. When you say RCA connector are you referring to the connect on the RCA UNIT or do you mean the connector on that UNIT is an RCA connector. I have never seen or heard about and RCA jack with switch. I went to the Mouser catalog and could not find such a jack. The schematic shows a jack with N/C switch but I believe it is some other form than RCA and that is why it will not operate when you use an RCA plug. The reason I mention this is tyhat the Ipod must put out more power than an old crystal phono cartridge which radio was made to pick up. I've stuck in a portable CD player on my Signal Tracer (connecting only one side of stereo) and had fine results. Bear in mind I have a tin ear so any frequency loss would not be noticed. Why don't you double check that jack. PL
:
:
::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
::::Paul
::
::To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
::So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
::Sorry for the double post.

12/21/2008 8:44:57 PMPaul(68739:68737)

Sorry for the double post, I hit the enter button or something like that before I had finished.
Paul
:Mr. Planigan, the unit is a RCA X551, The adapter I used from Radio shack has one end (Male) that fit into the pod and the other end (Female) which housed an RCA plug (stereo to mono setup).I had a double wire set up from a few years ago colored coded red and yellow on each side-both males. Then using one standard RCA wire with two male connections, I put one end into the adapter and the other into the radio. At first I heard nothing then after reading Tony J’s and Tom’s posting as well as Edd's about pin lenght I decided to force one in. Only one was able to make contact as I had to continue to hold it, for whatever reason that may be, they looked exactly the same. Opening up the radio confirmed the lack of length. The adapter’s pod side had only one black ring on it, as the ear buds that came with the pod have two white rings. So my strong assumption is that I was only getting one channel playing as the adapter had chosen.
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:: Paul, I have a question regarding the RCA connector that you say is on the RCA Victor X551. When you say RCA connector are you referring to the connect on the RCA UNIT or do you mean the connector on that UNIT is an RCA connector. I have never seen or heard about and RCA jack with switch. I went to the Mouser catalog and could not find such a jack. The schematic shows a jack with N/C switch but I believe it is some other form than RCA and that is why it will not operate when you use an RCA plug. The reason I mention this is tyhat the Ipod must put out more power than an old crystal phono cartridge which radio was made to pick up. I've stuck in a portable CD player on my Signal Tracer (connecting only one side of stereo) and had fine results. Bear in mind I have a tin ear so any frequency loss would not be noticed. Why don't you double check that jack. PL
::
::
:::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
:::::Paul
:::
:::To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
:::So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
:::Sorry for the double post.

12/22/2008 12:58:56 AMplanigan(68749:68739)

Paul, the question is are you absolutely sure that the jack (female)on the back of the unit is an RCA jack? I think it may be a mini phone plug. The reference you are making to Ipod having one ring and the ear phone having two rings would indicate to me that the one ring is a mini phone jack mono and that the ear phone is a mini phone jack stereo (the rings insolate between contacts = one ring two contacts [tip and gnd] while two rings= three contacts [two tips and gnd]. Also, if you have a one ring mini phone jack to ipod to an RCA female you are not going from stereo to mono but mono to mono. A single ring mini phone plug will only pick up one side of stereo out put and MAY very well ground the other side not doing any good for the Ipod. PL
:Sorry for the double post, I hit the enter button or something like that before I had finished.
:Paul
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
::Mr. Planigan, the unit is a RCA X551, The adapter I used from Radio shack has one end (Male) that fit into the pod and the other end (Female) which housed an RCA plug (stereo to mono setup).I had a double wire set up from a few years ago colored coded red and yellow on each side-both males. Then using one standard RCA wire with two male connections, I put one end into the adapter and the other into the radio. At first I heard nothing then after reading Tony J’s and Tom’s posting as well as Edd's about pin lenght I decided to force one in. Only one was able to make contact as I had to continue to hold it, for whatever reason that may be, they looked exactly the same. Opening up the radio confirmed the lack of length. The adapter’s pod side had only one black ring on it, as the ear buds that came with the pod have two white rings. So my strong assumption is that I was only getting one channel playing as the adapter had chosen.
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::: Paul, I have a question regarding the RCA connector that you say is on the RCA Victor X551. When you say RCA connector are you referring to the connect on the RCA UNIT or do you mean the connector on that UNIT is an RCA connector. I have never seen or heard about and RCA jack with switch. I went to the Mouser catalog and could not find such a jack. The schematic shows a jack with N/C switch but I believe it is some other form than RCA and that is why it will not operate when you use an RCA plug. The reason I mention this is tyhat the Ipod must put out more power than an old crystal phono cartridge which radio was made to pick up. I've stuck in a portable CD player on my Signal Tracer (connecting only one side of stereo) and had fine results. Bear in mind I have a tin ear so any frequency loss would not be noticed. Why don't you double check that jack. PL
:::
:::
::::::Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
::::::Paul
::::
::::To everyone: Paul's original post and all the subsequent posts in answer to it, is a perfect example of how this forum can, and should,work.
::::So many of you have so much to offer, and I think that all of your contributions are very much appreciated by those of us whose knowledge of the subject is limited. I suspect that this is what the good Doctor had in mind when he initiated this site.
::::Sorry for the double post.

12/22/2008 5:44:36 AMStephen(68752:68509)

First, you need to convert your Stereo output from the iPod to Mono Out. Please note that simply putting a mono plug into a stereo jack will not work (different pinout).
Next, you need to determine the impedence of the phono jack on your radio. If it is 8 ohms, you can connect the output from the iPod (after making it mono to it). If it is higher impedence, you will need a transformer to convert the impedence (and possibly a line level curve to a phono curve).
Finally, you should use an isolation transformer with this model radio as it is AC/DC. The reason being is that there could be high voltage on the phono input and this could cause damage to the iPods low voltage electronics. An isolation transformer will fix this issue.

:Hello everyone, I have an RCA Victor X551 with a phono jack on the back. I love nostalgic music and would love to hear it out of the RCA. I bought all the parts needed to "hook up" an Ipod with the desired music but it would not play. I took it out sprayed the contacts of the radio in and out and still nothing. I removed the jacks fearing damage to either the radio or the Ipod. Any hints or articles on accomplishing this?
:Paul