Outlook on life

[railfancwb]

2 hours ago, jame said:

Oh, that’s the plan.  But how?  
 

Bring it up to speed with all new electronics, including Bluetooth and high quality speaker, or attempt to restore with solder and vacuum tubes?  
 

Im a little negative on the restoration business.  I’ve read that some of the early radios were a little dangerous.  Keeping in mind that an AM radio was relatively high tech at the time, this particular model grounds to the frame, and I’ve heard they can light on fire or electrocute with some level of commonality.  The power cord that came with this one is a little crisp.

There are a number of internet sites which deal with bringing old radios back to life. There are shops which will do this for a fee. When replacing the power cord if you decide to proceed, use one with a polarized plug to be certain the chassis ground is not accidentally plugged into the hot side of the AC. The old capacitors are often what go bad. 

[crockett]

36 minutes ago, jame said:

Nice!  What was your source for spare parts?  Honestly, I have no idea where to start.  I’m leaning towards modernizing this one, but I’m wondering if I should just cannibalize something else to get this done.

I get all my electronic parts from 

https://www.mouser.com/

and

https://www.digikey.com/

All my equipment comes from:

https://www.tequipment.net/

For an old radio, a multi meter will do. I assume you own one, if not, Fluke and Hioki offers quality products.

A solder station would be also better than just a solder iron. Weller still makes decent ones, I'd go with this one (they used to be around 400 bucks):

https://www.tequipment.net/Weller/WE1010NA/Soldering-Stations/?b=y&v=7976

eBay is full with modules for Bluetooth, power supply boards etc.

This forum is excellent for questions: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php

YouTube has countless how-to videos on restorations and how to diagnose and fix simple electronics. Search Google for videos, it will come back with the best results, like: "How to add Bluetooth to an old radio"

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+add+bluetooth+to+an+old+radio&source=lnms&tbm=vid

Just one suggestion:

 

 

 

[jame]

1 hour ago, crockett said:

I get all my electronic parts from 

https://www.mouser.com/

and

https://www.digikey.com/

All my equipment comes from:

https://www.tequipment.net/

For an old radio, a multi meter will do. I assume you own one, if not, Fluke and Hioki offers quality products.

A solder station would be also better than just a solder iron. Weller still makes decent ones, I'd go with this one (they used to be around 400 bucks):

https://www.tequipment.net/Weller/WE1010NA/Soldering-Stations/?b=y&v=7976

eBay is full with modules for Bluetooth, power supply boards etc.

This forum is excellent for questions: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php

YouTube has countless how-to videos on restorations and how to diagnose and fix simple electronics. Search Google for videos, it will come back with the best results, like: "How to add Bluetooth to an old radio"

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+add+bluetooth+to+an+old+radio&source=lnms&tbm=vid

Just one suggestion:

 

 

 

My wallet hates you.

 

[crockett]

1 hour ago, jame said:

My wallet hates you.

 

 

As long as there is food on the table...

All we have is time and health. If we want to create decent memories, we better don't wait. Or waste it with hate.

[jame]

11 minutes ago, crockett said:

 

As long as there is food on the table...

All we have is time and health. If we want to create decent memories, we better don't wait. Or waste it with hate.

Amen to that, brother.  
 

Speaking of health, after our quick exchange, I went to the garage to look that radio over, but today we had 97 degrees with 73% humidity, and I decided to stay healthy and go back inside.

 

I’ll giver her a shot this weekend.  Unless I start on the rifle or the camp knife.😁

[crockett]

3 minutes ago, jame said:

Amen to that, brother.  
 

Speaking of health, after our quick exchange, I went to the garage to look that radio over, but today we had 97 degrees with 73% humidity, and I decided to stay healthy and go back inside.

 

I’ll giver her a shot this weekend.  Unless I start on the rifle or the camp knife.😁

 

Tell me about it. Its so freaking warm and humid, I work on my minivan for 10 minutes and have to come inside, to cool down for 20 minutes. There is only one place where I can deal with this heat. The beach.

 

[jame]

12 minutes ago, crockett said:

 

Tell me about it. Its so freaking warm and humid, I work on my minivan for 10 minutes and have to come inside, to cool down for 20 minutes. There is only one place where I can deal with this heat. The beach.

 

Yeah, about that van thing……..

 

My wife and I are set to retire in three years, and we’ve been considering some sort of conversion van for travel.

 

We’re of relatively modest means, and with some of these class B vans going for six figures, I decided that I might consider one of those conversion kits that I could install myself on a used van.  I need to look up your threads and posts, as I haven’t been here for a while.  

(I share your sentiments about this forum.  It needs to be kicked up a few notches, and I realize that I, along with the other members have the power to do that.  I’ll swing by a little more often with something a little more lively.)

[crockett]

18 minutes ago, jame said:

Yeah, about that van thing……..

 

My wife and I are set to retire in three years, and we’ve been considering some sort of conversion van for travel.

 

We’re of relatively modest means, and with some of these class B vans going for six figures, I decided that I might consider one of those conversion kits that I could install myself on a used van.  I need to look up your threads and posts, as I haven’t been here for a while.  

(I share your sentiments about this forum.  It needs to be kicked up a few notches, and I realize that I, along with the other members have the power to do that.  I’ll swing by a little more often with something a little more lively.)

 

My minivan is only a used beach beater that allows me to stay entire days at the beach without having to worry about idiots scratching up my new car or truck with beach gear etc.

Once the build is done, I'll do some long weekend trips within the state. 3 nights tops.

While there is a growing community of people living full time in converted minivans, I'm too old for that.

When you guys are ready, I'd look into a used Ford Transit or Sprinter cargo van with high roof.

For any kind of travel past long weekends you will want these requirements fullfilled:

- being able to stand in the van

- a toilet

- a shower

- a roof vent

- a diesel heater if you plant to visit cold climates

- solar panels on the roof and LifePo4 batteries (no lead acid)

 

Converting a sprinter can be done in 6 months on the side for around 10k. A good used sprinter runs 25k.

[Mrs.Cicero]

14 hours ago, crockett said:

 

I gave it up several years ago. Florida traffic has become a nightmare and we can't lane-split here. It's also 8 months out of the year too hot. On top of that, we have many tourist that don't know the area. They tend to make last second lane changes etc. Prime chances to get smeared. Last but not least, I'm past the hill and bones heal slowly. The broken bone in my wrist needed one year to grow back together. Doing everything single handed gets old quickly.

It's the same in MI (except it's too snowy and rainy 8 months out of the year). And it's the idiots texting while driving that are making the unpredictable last minute lane changes.  Two of the locals got smeared in separate accidents in the last 2 weeks, one is dead, the other has just come out of a coma with so many broken bones and spine and brain damage, he'll never be the same.  My husband just sold his bike, and mine will go next, and the spare is going to be broken up for parts.  We're done.  It's not how I want to die. If I want excitement, I'll go ride a horse.

[Mrs.Cicero]

9 hours ago, jame said:

Yeah, about that van thing……..

 

My wife and I are set to retire in three years, and we’ve been considering some sort of conversion van for travel.

 

We’re of relatively modest means, and with some of these class B vans going for six figures, I decided that I might consider one of those conversion kits that I could install myself on a used van.  I need to look up your threads and posts, as I haven’t been here for a while.  

(I share your sentiments about this forum.  It needs to be kicked up a few notches, and I realize that I, along with the other members have the power to do that.  I’ll swing by a little more often with something a little more lively.)

We saw a real nice live-in conversion on our trip out West - it was near us in the campground - they had it set up to open the back doors into their mosquito canopy, too.  I'd like driving that better than driving my truck with a pop-up trailer, I think.  And definitely better than driving an RV.

[crockett]

42 minutes ago, Mrs.Cicero said:

It's the same in MI (except it's too snowy and rainy 8 months out of the year). And it's the idiots texting while driving that are making the unpredictable last minute lane changes.  Two of the locals got smeared in separate accidents in the last 2 weeks, one is dead, the other has just come out of a coma with so many broken bones and spine and brain damage, he'll never be the same.  My husband just sold his bike, and mine will go next, and the spare is going to be broken up for parts.  We're done.  It's not how I want to die. If I want excitement, I'll go ride a horse.

A quick convertible brings back some of that bike feeling.

 

40 minutes ago, Mrs.Cicero said:

We saw a real nice live-in conversion on our trip out West - it was near us in the campground - they had it set up to open the back doors into their mosquito canopy, too.  I'd like driving that better than driving my truck with a pop-up trailer, I think.  And definitely better than driving an RV.

 

These guys are the best builders these days...

 

 

[Peng]

19 hours ago, crockett said:

 

None of that changes the fact that many threads around here are plain and simple negative. Remove the spamming on the image threads and its the majority.

Looks like I nailed it and instead of seeing the reality, you'd rather continue on that addictive path of pessimism.

Has nothing to do with perception when so much content is negative.

I think you're approaching this wrong.

You are describing human nature, and wanting it to change.  That, and you are in an echo chamber either here or in the other place and we don't like the guys in charge.  

Artificially surrounding yourself with only happy things won't work.

You need to learn to immerse in it, but let the stuff bounce off you and not absorb.  Most of it is made up anyhow, just let it go.

I know easier said than done but there is joy in little things if you can ignore the noise.

Life is great here, right?  We are free to do what we want, go where we want, and buy what we want, when we want.

Maybe get some perspective by traveling.  See some truly dark depressing places and how people live.  We are the light even with the dim bulbs we occasionally leave in charge of things.  

Go to Cuba.  If that's not bad enough, try Canada.  I mean, they put mayo on french fires for God's sake.  Talk about depressing. 😀

Try a hot dog with ketchup.  It's really good.

[Huaco Kid]

[crockett]

17 minutes ago, Peng said:

I think you're approaching this wrong.

You are describing human nature, and wanting it to change.  That, and you are in an echo chamber either here or in the other place and we don't like the guys in charge.  

Artificially surrounding yourself with only happy things won't work.

You need to learn to immerse in it, but let the stuff bounce off you and not absorb.  Most of it is made up anyhow, just let it go.

I know easier said than done but there is joy in little things if you can ignore the noise.

Life is great here, right?  We are free to do what we want, go where we want, and buy what we want, when we want.

Maybe get some perspective by traveling.  See some truly dark depressing places and how people live.  We are the light even with the dim bulbs we occasionally leave in charge of things.  

Go to Cuba.  If that's not bad enough, try Canada.  I mean, they put mayo on french fires for God's sake.  Talk about depressing. 😀

Try a hot dog with ketchup.  It's really good.

lol

I spent over 3 decades outside the US, I saw plenty and it all. I'm not so much concerned about the here and now, but where we are heading. I saw all the signs of socialism before and lived through the consequences!

And yes, I love mayo on fries, and no, I haven't lived in Canada.

[Hook]

On 7/28/2021 at 3:38 PM, tadbart said:

Careful- some of us will take you up on that...  Planning a 2023 trip to Katmai. Will of course have to see all my Alaskan friends while there.

I was going there then the damn virus hit. Swing by I’ll load the fridge up with beer and load up on whiskey. 

[Hook]

On 7/28/2021 at 3:49 PM, Walt Longmire said:

Maybe we should arrange a back yard bonfire at my "compound" way out North. Cook some dead moose and salmon over the coals.

Tell me when and where and what to bring. 🍺

[Swampfox762]

On 7/29/2021 at 12:17 PM, crockett said:

lol

I spent over 3 decades outside the US, I saw plenty and it all. I'm not so much concerned about the here and now, but where we are heading. I saw all the signs of socialism before and lived through the consequences!

I only spent 20, but it taught me what "Being An American" means.