Customers for the Bluetooth Retrofit cover the range from seasoned radio restoration experts to homeowners who want to preserve a family treasure. We also provide kits to woodworkers and hobbyists who make high-quality Bluetooth players with an ‘old-school’ user interface. This page will help you understand what is required for the retrofit. The instructions and our instructional video provide even more information.
Skills and Tools
You need to be able to work with basic hand tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and wire strippers. It’s likely that you’ll have to cut a speaker adapter plate from 1/4″ or 3/8″ plywood, so a handsaw or jigsaw may be required. You’ll also need to use a soldering iron to solder wires onto potentiometers and switches.
What Else Will I Need?
The kit includes all the bits and pieces you’ll need for the retrofit. You can see them all in the Instructions. But you’ll need a few things:
The retrofit won’t work with the field coil speakers used in antique radios, so you’ll need a replacement that fits your radio. Sources for speakers(~$20.00 to $50.00) are shown in the instructions. You’ll likely need to make a mounting plate to secure the new speaker into your cabinet which will require a small amount of 1/4″ or 3/8″ plywood.
The kit doesn’t include a power cord. You can use an old cord from a personal computer or monitor. You can also buy one like this from Amazon.
The kit does not include solder. If you don’t have a soldering iron or solder, consider this one from Amazon. It costs about $12.00, and is perfectly adequate for the retrofit.