Interesting Items
The History of the Car Radio
Forwarded by Nicole and Mrs Stacey Martin (Lyndhurst Stem Club for Girls)
Written by Carly Hallman
Its an almost universal experience: People get in the car and turn on their favorite music. But the first car radio wasn’t sold until Chevrolet offered one as an option in 1922. And at first, radios in cars weren’t a popular feature. In 1930, laws were proposed in Massachusetts and Missouri that would ban automobile radios, and a poll in 1934 found that 56% of people thought car radios were a dangerous distraction. Motorola kept refining the idea, though, and designed a more attractive and better-functioning radio. By 1946, around nine million cars had a radio installed in them. The technology improved over time, and by 1963, more than half of all cars driven in America had a radio in them.
Using Their Heads
A head unit is like the motherboard of a car’s audio system. Originally, head units only controlled the radio, but over time, they were used to control everything from 8-tracks to CDs. Today’s head units incorporate touchscreens and smartphone integration. The size of the head unit is dictated by the size and design of the car’s console and the size of the front faceplate of the stereo system. Most head units are a size 1DIN or 2DIN; DIN is an acronym for a German company, Deutsches Institut fur Normung.
American Ingenuity
Lee de Forest invented the vacuum tube, which made radios possible. In 1904, he gave a demonstration of his invention at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and afterward, he was nicknamed the “Father of Radio.” It wasn’t until 1922 when Chevrolet put a Westinghouse radio into a car. But the first successful commercial automobile radio is considered by most experts to be the Motorola 5T71, which was released in 1930.
Radio on the Go
The radio was first invented for the military, and its purpose was to allow for short, simple, person-to-person messages. Even these very simple radios were large and bulky at the beginning. The first radios meant to play music were even larger and bulkier, and they don’t at all resemble what most modern people would consider a portable radio or music player. Early radios were housed in a large box, which was accompanied by a second box for the speaker. They featured several large batteries and an antenna consisting of a long piece of wire. All of these elements would be put into what amounted to a large wooden suitcase to make the radio portable.
Form and Function
Early car radios of the 1920s and 1930s looked different from what most people today consider automobile radios. There was a tin box with:
The car’s battery would heat the radio’s tubes, and the radio needed a separate box for its anodes. All of this equipment actually blocked the radio from getting clear reception from radio towers. The invention of the vacuum tube solved a lot of problems for car radios, making them more user-friendly as well as improving the quality of the audio.
When Mass Manufacturing Got Rolling
On Sept. 26, 1928, the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, located in Chicago, IL, began production. In 1930. the company would introduce its Motorola car radio, the very first mass-produced automobile radio offered for sale. The name “Motorola” comes from combing “motor” with Victrola.
Car Audio Timeline: A Century of Progress
The 1920sThe 1920s marked the birth of large-scale radio broadcasting. Radio soon became a major source of entertainment, news, and information for a lot of people. Suddenly, masses of people could experience breaking news or sports events as they happened. Many Americans were making good money in the 1920s, and this was coupled with an increase in available credit that helped people to afford radios for their homes. Soon, inventors and marketers realized these people might also enjoy listening to their radios in the car.
The 1930s
The Roaring ’20s ended by throwing the United States into a deep economic depression. Suddenly, large numbers of people were experiencing job loss and poverty. However, those with money continued buying radios and expressing interest in car radios. Radios were an expensive option: Adding a Motorola radio to a brand new Model-T made the price jump 20%. Some people pushed back against radios in cars, but continued technological advancement and the introduction of features like push-button tuning made radios more popular than ever. This was also the decade when FM radio was invented, improving sound quality.
The 1940s
Nine million automobiles had built-in radios by the beginning of the post-war period. Head units became smaller and better designed. Many started to take on Art Deco styling to match the interiors of the cars of the moment.
The 1950s
AM radio ruled the airwaves at the beginning of the 1950s, but the first automobile radio with an FM receiver was put on the market in 1952. One year later, the first radio with a fully capable automatic station-search feature was introduced. Chrysler also decided to experiment by selling cars with record players installed as a part of the in-car entertainment system.
The 1960s
Two major technological advances had a great impact on car radios in the 1960s. General Motors and Ford teamed up with Motorola to create the Super 8 (better known as the 8-track) cassette and began putting 8-track players in their cars. At almost the same time, in 1964, Philips introduced the compact cassette. Even from the beginning, compact cassettes offered better sound quality than 8-tracks. But thanks to the involvement of two automotive powerhouses, 8-track players continued to be installed in cars into the 1970s.
The 1970s
Cassette players took over the market in the 1970s. The ’70s were a time of great advancement in the field of automotive audio systems. Vacuum-based amplifiers, which were bulky, were replaced with smaller models with better sound quality. Pioneer began selling car systems that provided almost the same sound quality as at-home stereo systems. The Supertuner, for example, offered a cassette player and FM radio tuner with excellent reception.
The 1980s
Pioneer once more led in-car stereo innovation when they introduced the first automotive compact disc (CD) player in 1984. The sound quality was much, much better than that offered by cassettes, but in-car CD players didn’t achieve widespread popularity until the 1990s.
The 1980s also saw rapid advancement in speaker technology and sound. Systems with at least six speakers became popular. High-end automotive audio setups rivaled the best at-home systems. General Motor’s Delco division paired up with Bose to make a high-end system for people buying luxury GM products, which at the time included Corvette, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Buick customers.
The 1990s
One reason the popularity of in-car CD players skyrocketed in the 1990s was that CD changers, capable of being loaded with up to 18 CDs, hit the market. Suddenly, drivers could truly curate their listening experience, even on very long drives. Sony attempted to compete with the rising popularity of the CD when it released the Minidisc in 1992, but the smaller format never caught on with customers.
The 2000s
Two huge new technological advancements ushered car audio systems into the new millennium. The first was GPS technology, which allowed for navigation systems to be added to car entertainment systems. Navigation systems meant larger screens, and soon, infotainment systems became a larger part of a car’s dashboard. The other major advancement was Bluetooth. This technology allowed drivers to make and accept hands-free calls through their audio systems. At the same time, portable digital music players hit the market. Soon, people were using a variety of adapters to connect their music players to their car’s audio system, but Bluetooth would go on to make this a seamless experience.
2020 and Beyond
The increase in people working from home coupled with people viewing their smartphones as their primary source of information has changed what people listen to in their cars and how they listen to it. The popularity of radio stations dwindles each year. Now, people are more likely to listen to podcasts or music streaming services as they drive.
The Next Leap for In-Car Technology
Car entertainment systems continue to make technological advancements. Many cars are now ready to let users control the infotainment systems using smartphone apps, and some will allow apps to guide even more of the functions of the car. Built-in screens with multiple uses also continue to increase in popularity, integrating with telematics systems to help drivers monitor vehicle diagnostics.
DIY
Even as infotainment systems become increasingly complex, aftermarket stereo shops and DIY systems continue to flourish. People often upgrade older cars with new infotainment technology, including Bluetooth-enabled stereos with backup cameras and touchscreens.
Additional Reading on Early Radio
Forwarded by Nicole and Mrs Stacey Martin (Lyndhurst Stem Club for Girls)
Written by Carly Hallman
Its an almost universal experience: People get in the car and turn on their favorite music. But the first car radio wasn’t sold until Chevrolet offered one as an option in 1922. And at first, radios in cars weren’t a popular feature. In 1930, laws were proposed in Massachusetts and Missouri that would ban automobile radios, and a poll in 1934 found that 56% of people thought car radios were a dangerous distraction. Motorola kept refining the idea, though, and designed a more attractive and better-functioning radio. By 1946, around nine million cars had a radio installed in them. The technology improved over time, and by 1963, more than half of all cars driven in America had a radio in them.
Using Their Heads
A head unit is like the motherboard of a car’s audio system. Originally, head units only controlled the radio, but over time, they were used to control everything from 8-tracks to CDs. Today’s head units incorporate touchscreens and smartphone integration. The size of the head unit is dictated by the size and design of the car’s console and the size of the front faceplate of the stereo system. Most head units are a size 1DIN or 2DIN; DIN is an acronym for a German company, Deutsches Institut fur Normung.
American Ingenuity
Lee de Forest invented the vacuum tube, which made radios possible. In 1904, he gave a demonstration of his invention at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and afterward, he was nicknamed the “Father of Radio.” It wasn’t until 1922 when Chevrolet put a Westinghouse radio into a car. But the first successful commercial automobile radio is considered by most experts to be the Motorola 5T71, which was released in 1930.
- History of Obsolete Car Audio, Part 1: Early Radio
- The First Motorola Car Radio
- The Evolution of Car Radio Through the Years
Radio on the Go
The radio was first invented for the military, and its purpose was to allow for short, simple, person-to-person messages. Even these very simple radios were large and bulky at the beginning. The first radios meant to play music were even larger and bulkier, and they don’t at all resemble what most modern people would consider a portable radio or music player. Early radios were housed in a large box, which was accompanied by a second box for the speaker. They featured several large batteries and an antenna consisting of a long piece of wire. All of these elements would be put into what amounted to a large wooden suitcase to make the radio portable.
Form and Function
Early car radios of the 1920s and 1930s looked different from what most people today consider automobile radios. There was a tin box with:
- A speaker
- An audio receiver
- A tuning mechanism
- Sometimes (but not always) batteries
The car’s battery would heat the radio’s tubes, and the radio needed a separate box for its anodes. All of this equipment actually blocked the radio from getting clear reception from radio towers. The invention of the vacuum tube solved a lot of problems for car radios, making them more user-friendly as well as improving the quality of the audio.
When Mass Manufacturing Got Rolling
On Sept. 26, 1928, the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, located in Chicago, IL, began production. In 1930. the company would introduce its Motorola car radio, the very first mass-produced automobile radio offered for sale. The name “Motorola” comes from combing “motor” with Victrola.
Car Audio Timeline: A Century of Progress
The 1920sThe 1920s marked the birth of large-scale radio broadcasting. Radio soon became a major source of entertainment, news, and information for a lot of people. Suddenly, masses of people could experience breaking news or sports events as they happened. Many Americans were making good money in the 1920s, and this was coupled with an increase in available credit that helped people to afford radios for their homes. Soon, inventors and marketers realized these people might also enjoy listening to their radios in the car.
The 1930s
The Roaring ’20s ended by throwing the United States into a deep economic depression. Suddenly, large numbers of people were experiencing job loss and poverty. However, those with money continued buying radios and expressing interest in car radios. Radios were an expensive option: Adding a Motorola radio to a brand new Model-T made the price jump 20%. Some people pushed back against radios in cars, but continued technological advancement and the introduction of features like push-button tuning made radios more popular than ever. This was also the decade when FM radio was invented, improving sound quality.
The 1940s
Nine million automobiles had built-in radios by the beginning of the post-war period. Head units became smaller and better designed. Many started to take on Art Deco styling to match the interiors of the cars of the moment.
The 1950s
AM radio ruled the airwaves at the beginning of the 1950s, but the first automobile radio with an FM receiver was put on the market in 1952. One year later, the first radio with a fully capable automatic station-search feature was introduced. Chrysler also decided to experiment by selling cars with record players installed as a part of the in-car entertainment system.
The 1960s
Two major technological advances had a great impact on car radios in the 1960s. General Motors and Ford teamed up with Motorola to create the Super 8 (better known as the 8-track) cassette and began putting 8-track players in their cars. At almost the same time, in 1964, Philips introduced the compact cassette. Even from the beginning, compact cassettes offered better sound quality than 8-tracks. But thanks to the involvement of two automotive powerhouses, 8-track players continued to be installed in cars into the 1970s.
The 1970s
Cassette players took over the market in the 1970s. The ’70s were a time of great advancement in the field of automotive audio systems. Vacuum-based amplifiers, which were bulky, were replaced with smaller models with better sound quality. Pioneer began selling car systems that provided almost the same sound quality as at-home stereo systems. The Supertuner, for example, offered a cassette player and FM radio tuner with excellent reception.
The 1980s
Pioneer once more led in-car stereo innovation when they introduced the first automotive compact disc (CD) player in 1984. The sound quality was much, much better than that offered by cassettes, but in-car CD players didn’t achieve widespread popularity until the 1990s.
The 1980s also saw rapid advancement in speaker technology and sound. Systems with at least six speakers became popular. High-end automotive audio setups rivaled the best at-home systems. General Motor’s Delco division paired up with Bose to make a high-end system for people buying luxury GM products, which at the time included Corvette, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Buick customers.
The 1990s
One reason the popularity of in-car CD players skyrocketed in the 1990s was that CD changers, capable of being loaded with up to 18 CDs, hit the market. Suddenly, drivers could truly curate their listening experience, even on very long drives. Sony attempted to compete with the rising popularity of the CD when it released the Minidisc in 1992, but the smaller format never caught on with customers.
The 2000s
Two huge new technological advancements ushered car audio systems into the new millennium. The first was GPS technology, which allowed for navigation systems to be added to car entertainment systems. Navigation systems meant larger screens, and soon, infotainment systems became a larger part of a car’s dashboard. The other major advancement was Bluetooth. This technology allowed drivers to make and accept hands-free calls through their audio systems. At the same time, portable digital music players hit the market. Soon, people were using a variety of adapters to connect their music players to their car’s audio system, but Bluetooth would go on to make this a seamless experience.
2020 and Beyond
The increase in people working from home coupled with people viewing their smartphones as their primary source of information has changed what people listen to in their cars and how they listen to it. The popularity of radio stations dwindles each year. Now, people are more likely to listen to podcasts or music streaming services as they drive.
The Next Leap for In-Car Technology
Car entertainment systems continue to make technological advancements. Many cars are now ready to let users control the infotainment systems using smartphone apps, and some will allow apps to guide even more of the functions of the car. Built-in screens with multiple uses also continue to increase in popularity, integrating with telematics systems to help drivers monitor vehicle diagnostics.
DIY
Even as infotainment systems become increasingly complex, aftermarket stereo shops and DIY systems continue to flourish. People often upgrade older cars with new infotainment technology, including Bluetooth-enabled stereos with backup cameras and touchscreens.
Additional Reading on Early Radio
- The Golden Age of Radio
- The Development of Radio
- The Evolution of Radio Broadcasting
- 1890s-1930s: Radio
- History of Commercial Radio
- 100 Years of Radio
- Golden Age of Black Radio
- Radio Activity: The 100th Anniversary of Public Broadcasting
- The Creation and Following of Public Opinion: A History of Music Choice in Radio Programming
- The First Black Radio Show in America Debuts
- Soap Operas During the Golden Age of Radio
Info from Dave MoVTG
I have been experiencing problems for a week or so with receiving the audio from websdr.org but have found the following solution for those of you who may be finding similar problems. I use Firefox and Windows 10 but I understand that other browsers are having similar problems under both Win 10 and 11. I can only offer a solution for Firefox and Win 10 but this may help you solve the same problem elsewhere.
Start Firefox and hit the tools tab.
On the dropdown hit settings.
Select Privacy and Security on left.
Scroll down to Permissions.
Hit Select to the right of Autoplay.
On the pull down menu at the top marked 'Default for all web sites' select 'Allow Audio and Video' and Save Changes at the bottom.
Close and restart Firefox; the new settings should now load and audio.
73
David
M0VTG
I have been experiencing problems for a week or so with receiving the audio from websdr.org but have found the following solution for those of you who may be finding similar problems. I use Firefox and Windows 10 but I understand that other browsers are having similar problems under both Win 10 and 11. I can only offer a solution for Firefox and Win 10 but this may help you solve the same problem elsewhere.
Start Firefox and hit the tools tab.
On the dropdown hit settings.
Select Privacy and Security on left.
Scroll down to Permissions.
Hit Select to the right of Autoplay.
On the pull down menu at the top marked 'Default for all web sites' select 'Allow Audio and Video' and Save Changes at the bottom.
Close and restart Firefox; the new settings should now load and audio.
73
David
M0VTG
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Bagnold Sun Compass Presentation
Presentation given on 28th January on the Bagnold Sun Compass given by Malcom M0OLG |
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FT991 and HRD
Here are instructions for using ft8 with HRD. It relies on using a USB cable to make it work and it doesn’t work with anything else. Submitted by Ian (M0XCF) |
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INTERESTING READ FOR NEW LICENCE HOLDERS
Submitted by SID (M0SRS) |
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Interference broad band, etc
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8759459/Old-TV-causes-broadband-outages-village-18-months.htm
lA short synopsis below:
· Alun and Elaine Rees were unaware that their TV was causing broadband issues
· Villagers living in Aberhosan, Wales, plagued with internet issues every morning
· But problem baffled engineers from Openreach who found network was working
· Crack team were called in and found a signal from an old TV set was the problem
Openreach engineer Michael Jones said the company's chief engineering team helped to solve the mystery by using a spectrum analyser to look for a phenomenon known as 'Shine' (single high-level impulse noise).
After exhausting their options, they were forced to call in the Openreach Chief Engineer team, a crack team described as the company's 'SAS', in a bid to fix the problem.
Suzanne Rutherford of Openreach said such issues are not as rare as people may think.
'Anything with electric components – from outdoor lights to microwaves to CCTV cameras – can potentially have an impact on your broadband connection,' she said.
She advised people to ensure their electrical appliances are properly certified and meet British standards.
Submited by Sid M0SRS
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8759459/Old-TV-causes-broadband-outages-village-18-months.htm
lA short synopsis below:
· Alun and Elaine Rees were unaware that their TV was causing broadband issues
· Villagers living in Aberhosan, Wales, plagued with internet issues every morning
· But problem baffled engineers from Openreach who found network was working
· Crack team were called in and found a signal from an old TV set was the problem
Openreach engineer Michael Jones said the company's chief engineering team helped to solve the mystery by using a spectrum analyser to look for a phenomenon known as 'Shine' (single high-level impulse noise).
After exhausting their options, they were forced to call in the Openreach Chief Engineer team, a crack team described as the company's 'SAS', in a bid to fix the problem.
Suzanne Rutherford of Openreach said such issues are not as rare as people may think.
'Anything with electric components – from outdoor lights to microwaves to CCTV cameras – can potentially have an impact on your broadband connection,' she said.
She advised people to ensure their electrical appliances are properly certified and meet British standards.
Submited by Sid M0SRS
ADDING A NEW CALL SIGN TO QRZ.com
There are two ways to add a callsign to QRZ.com; one is simple and one is difficult. Either way, this can only be done by an existing member who is able to log in the QRZ.com. Therefore, new members must request an existing member to sponsor them. This article describes the simple way.
Once logged in, the sponsor should enter the new call sign M0xxx which will result in the following:
Your Search by Callsign found no results for M0xxx
M0xxx looks like a callsign from England (DXCC Entity #223).
Would you like to add M0xxx to the database? Yes...
Click on Yes... which will result in a new screen. Fill in the *required fields and hit the Save button at the bottom. Leave all the other fields for the owner of the call to fill in as they wish.
There will be a delay while a moderator authorises the request and the sponsor may get an email asking for further information.
It is recommended that new users 'explore' the system to discover exactly what can be entered.
M0VTG
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The Radio Society of Great Britain publishes a booklet: Planning Permission: Advice to RSGB Members.
The booklet includes all the information an amateur needs to produce a good planning application and hopefully obtain planning permission. The booklet is made available for Members of the Society. https://rsgb.org/main/operating/planning-matters/advice-booklet/ What’s in the booklet? Subjects tackled include:
The booklet is only available from RSGB Headquarters, or to download from Membership Services. As this is a service for Members only, it is not available for sale as are other Society publications. |
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LOCATORS - WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CALCULATED?This article is an attempt to help those who may wish to calculate their IARU and WAB locators. A quick look through the RSGB course notes did not reveal any mention of either of these location systems and I hope that the information will also be of help to newly licensed hams. There are two main location systems in common use in the UK. One is mainly used for international purposes and is the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) system and based on the Maidenhead Locator system. The other system is the Worked All Britain (WAB) system. Many GPS systems are able to display the Maidenhead Locator as well as National Grid References (NGR) etc. THE IARU (MAIDENHEAD) SYSTEM. RSGB Yearbook describes how this system works and how to calculate your location. Known in amateur radio circles as the IARU Locator, the system breaks down as LLNNll (i.e. 2 upper case letters, 2 numbers, and 2 lower case letters). For international purposes, normally only the first 4 characters are used, the remaining 2 being used more locally but not exclusively. Calculating locations from the Yearbook is somewhat tedious and, so long as you know where you are it is possible to obtain the data very easily using free software available on the internet. As an example: Ramsey Rural Museum is a museum which takes part in Museums On The Air annually. Using the link: http://gridreferencefinder.com And zooming in on the map to the position of the museum (use Google Earth as a cross-reference to determine exact position if necessary) and right clicking will generate a pin point on the map. Under the map are displayed a number of parameters the 4th and 5th being latitude and longitude in decimal notation; I got 52.450393 and -0.096603692. Now open a second browser session and link to: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/grids.php Choose decimal degrees and enter the lat/long figures in the appropriate boxes omitting any minus signs. Degrees North is already selected but you may have to select degrees West or East depending on which side of the Greenwich Meridian you are. (If the longitude figure was preceded by a minus sign, select West. This applies to most of the UK). Click on Convert to Grid Square and read off the location (in this case IO92wk). THE WAB SYSTEM The WAB system is based on the Ordinance Survey Grid Reference System. Going back to the first browser session, the one where you got lat/long from (now you know why we didn't close this session), read off the the Grid Reference (the 1st parameter at the bottom of the page) in this case I got TL 29448 85307. This is the Ten Figure Grid Reference and is far too accurate for our purposes. We need only a Two Figure Grid Reference which is derived from the first figure in each group i.e. TL 28 and this is what you should quote if asked for your WAB location. OTHER USEFUL DATA Sometimes you may find it useful to have to hand other data: I keep a card by my rig displaying the following, complete picture: Postcode, Lat/Long in degrees and minutes, NGR (to six figures i.e. the first 3 from each group), WAB, IARU. To calculate Lat/Long in degrees and minutes, go back to Grid Square Converter, select Deg/Min/Sec, and press Convert to Lat/Long. I got 52 degrees, 26 minutes, 15 second North; 0 degrees, 7 mins, 30 seconds West which I rounded to 52 degrees 26 minutes North; 0 degrees 8 mins West. NOTE: CONVERTING LOCATORS TO LAT/LONG WILL GIVE THE DATUM POINT FOR THE LOCATOR SQUARE. If you used Google Earth earlier you will get more accurate figures. --M0VTG Any errors, omissions, and comments please to M0VTG. P.S. Since writing this article, my thanks to G8AKL for a link to a site which provides the IARU locator and lat/long more directly: http://f6fvy.free.fr/qthLocator/fullScreen.php |
