Re: 1941 Packard Radio/Antenna Question

Posted by HH56 On 2021/9/26 14:43:03
No, not directly. The antenna input feeds into the first radio section where the over the air signal gets processed for all the different frequencies and variations in amplitude before a single signal gets selected and is sent on to the rest of the radio. The iPhone is already putting out a line signal of nothing but processed sound information and that output would need to go straight into the final audio section to be amplified and sent on to the speaker.

There are some options. One is send the radio back to the shop and have them add a line in jack for using the iPhone headphone output. You could alternately have them add a bluetooth module if you wanted to wirelessly stream from the iPhone. Some modules can accommodate both line in and bluetooth but the downside to modules is some may need changes to the radio chassis which are not reversible if someone ever wanted to have only the stock radio again.

Another option is to purchase something like the RediRadhttps://redirad.com which does plug into the radio antenna jack and only needs a power source. It has the circuitry to convert the iPhone line output back into RF and send it out on an unused frequency so it can be fed into the radio antenna jack. You then tune the radio to that RediRad frequency to play what is coming in from the iPhone. For your car you would want their AM only, positive ground unit. There may be something besides RediRad available but finding another that works on 6v positive ground may be the harder part.

If you bought a hidden antenna, it could also plug into the RediRad and give you the benefit of picking up the regular AM broadcast stations. When the RediRad line input is not being used the antenna signals would be passed straight thru and still be selected on the radio at their regular frequencies. Amazon has any number of small or completely hidden antennas that can be mounted in various out of the way spots but they are not as strong or sensitive as outside antennas. You also need to avoid placing them in locations entirely shielded by body metal so near glass is the best placement option.

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