I Added ALEXA to this 1976 FERGUSON RADIO! | For no Particular Reason

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I picked up a lovely looking Ferguson 3196 bedside radio from a charity shop for less than £5. Why not add Amazon Alexa to it by dismantling an Echo Flex and harvesting some parts!?
Hope you enjoy!
Steve
PS. I'm not an expert in repairs at all. I do this for fun, and it may not be the best or safest way to go about repairing broken stuff. I'm pretty good at melting plastic though. Please don't copy me - I'm an idiot.
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Опубликовано:

28 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 427

@ThePillenwerfer 2 года назад

Looks constipated on the thumbnail.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

I was a bit.

@eclectarama 2 года назад

How does a mathematician cure constipation? He works it out with a pencil.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

@@eclectarama 🤣🤣🤣

@dpowerful1 2 года назад

@@eclectarama The non-mathematicians just work it out on their fingers

@eclectarama 2 года назад

@@dpowerful1 😀

@TheVintageApplianceEmporium 2 года назад

Many years ago I added Bluetooth to an early 80s radio. Was very proud of that creation. And now I need to add Alexa to a 70s machine! You've inspired me, thank you :)

@MrTarekZeidan 2 года назад

To tune in to SW you gotta have an outdoor antenna or a long wire attached to the radio at one end and the other end is out of the house. Great video 😊

@motographics 2 года назад

good idea as a whole.. there is one part which isn't needed though ! the second small amp..... you've got an amp (alexa plug) feeding another small Bluetooth amp feeding the radio amp. 3 amps in total, you could ditch the middle one (Bluetooth amp) and get the same if not better audio quality most likely.

@lthoedt 2 года назад

but no bluetooth which is why he said he'd keep it

@oznewton867 2 года назад

Brilliant. I think that was an awesome thing to do and it truly sets you apart from someone who just repairs. Keep up the good work.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Oz, much appreciated! 👍

@Popeyes66 2 года назад

Steve mate,i did the bluetooth hack to my cd/digital radio. I found the 5v DC power rail on the origininal motherboard and tapped into that,and wired the bluetooth output to the aux in socket . Nice job mate,please keep the vidyaas coming . You are funnier than MMV but he's still a tryer 😂.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

😁 thanks Daveyboy! That sounds like an awesome mod! I'd like to do more stuff like that, there's something nice and rewarding about modernising old tech! 👍

@welshtony1 2 года назад

Im glad im not the only one that hurts himself opening these really old machines haha. Love this project, such a cool idea and could easily be adapted to any old system :D

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

😁 thanks Tony! I thought it was just me, so that makes me feel better if others are hurting themselves too! 🤣

@imtrashbmx8834 2 года назад

just now at the end of the video lol I found out why you weren't actually saying alexa AND you sir are a genuine legend!

@dom6n6c 2 года назад

ive just found your channel and been binge watching your videos, really my cup of tea, love this kind of stuff and your work is brilliant, and you have Vince and Tronics fix follow you, wow , well done, your channel is going to be huge.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Dom! Really appreciate that. 👍

@djscottfrenzy 2 года назад

Sat here with a beer again watching this Steve haha. Again pure genius ✅👍

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

😁 thanks Scott! Hope you enjoyed your beer! 😍

@808music3 2 года назад

Being a nerd for old vintage electronics, I feel I could do transporting back to the 70’s, and get to feel the vibes of those times. Good to keep old vintage electronics, bringing them upto the new era.👍

@cireza_ Год назад

That's the beauty of old electronics devices. You can bring them to the current times. Good luck bringing current electronics devices to 2070 though.

@gamernick1533 2 года назад

Throughout my childhood, my grandfather had a really old stereo/amplifier system next to his chair. It had the most magnificently clunky switches and heavy, metals dials... it was beautiful. It's all I wanted when he passed because I wanted to do the same thing you had done to this bedside radio. After he passed I went to collect it, only to find that someone had thrown it out!! I can't quite explain what that piece of electronics meant to me but it meant far more than it could be worth in function or value. Not only did it hold some of my oldest, nostalgic feelings but it gave THE most pleasurably tactile feelings of a device (pun away!). I wish I had taken note of what brand it was, even if I couldn't have his, I could still have tracked down an alternate of it.

@lauratiso 2 года назад

Hi, Stez! Yes, that DIN 5 is a tape deck connector. Pins 1 and 4 are for left and right, pin 2 is the common ground, and 3 and 5 are left and right outputs (to record a tape in the deck). The outputs come from the pre-amp, so you can use it as an output for a bigger amplifier if you wish to. :)

@honestguy7764 2 года назад

But that is not a “line” output. Its a variable one

@DamienCooley 2 года назад

This is really cool, only thing I would think would make it cooler is if you could integrate the Alexa light into the display somehow. Like make it light up the front tuner display when Alexa is listening? Would definitely add a cool factor to it. :)

@zx85 Год назад

And maybe repurpose one of the buttons on the radio as a mic mute, so She Who Shall Not Be Named isn't constantly listening from just by the bed 😳

@andersmmvfc.8376 5 месяцев назад

You should have twitted the input cable to get less noise. Nice mod butifull radio 📻

@Stonecold724 2 года назад

Seriously, this channel is great. This chan deserves all the subs.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Stonecold! 😁

@lesrogers7310 2 года назад

Great job Steve, i like it! The old Ferguson sounds pretty decent for the size the driver and tiny magnet.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Les! I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sound. Lacking a bit of bass, but the mids are excellent! 👍

@sharptoothtrex4486 Год назад

This is a great job you did, lad. Modernizing radios with Alexa is the greatest idea anyone came up with.

@rorykelly8275 2 года назад

yet again your reactions are priceless.

@Martin-wp9mx 2 года назад

I greet you, I think your videos are great, I could watch you all day... 🤗

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Martin! 👍

@nauthic3p0 2 года назад

Thanks for your videos, I felt confident enough to repair a 1986 GDR record player (RFT SP 3001). And I made it work 👍

@stuartmcphillie7300 2 года назад

Another nice mod. Radio takes me back to when I was a kid...all audio equip had to be the size of a bungalow and teak effect!

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Absolutely Stuart! it's true, they don't make 'em like they used to! 😁

@davep7176 Год назад

Seems like it has amazing sound quality ...I was actually surprised.

@Robv1986 7 месяцев назад

Recently found your channel and I’m really enjoying your content. What you did in this video blew me away. Awesome

@thetruthno1 2 года назад

Nice work, I found a beautiful mid century solid wood cabinet tube stereo at a thrift store that I gave to my daughter, thinking my son in law could get the turntable going but it looks like I’m going to have to do it. In the back of my mind I wanted to get Alexa going on it but I think this might be slightly above my skill level. I have the basic concept but I have a feeling once I start messing with it I won’t be able to trouble shoot it well enough. But this is tempting me!

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

You should give it a go! That would be awesome 👍

@Cablesmith Год назад

One of my favourite videos from you Steve, just a brilliant idea! Possibly the coolest Alexa device in the planet

@dodgydruid 2 года назад

I can't believe I have binge watched nearly all your vids, enjoyed every one too and my cats just lurve your singing... :P

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

😂 glad your cats enjoy! 🐈

@mattgorton8428 2 года назад

This is BLOODY BRILLIANT!

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

😊 thanks Matt!

@whynotagain3639 2 года назад

Turned a perfectly good old clock radio into a spy device. Well done!

@knightnevermore 2 года назад

It's an upgraded and optional spy device, since - other than the original one - this one has a power button now, so it can be turned off at any point.

@FiveStringCommando Год назад

“Hey, wiretap! Could I get a recipe for Chicken Pot Pie?”

@csm0772 2 года назад

Love this upgrade

@IkaNyan404 2 года назад

This was such a fun video to watch, bringing vintage and new together.

@keithfulkerson 2 года назад

It would be cool to take one of those old boomboxes with a little tv in it, and update it with an lcd video player.

@DrPeterVenkman383 2 месяца назад

So you've basically created an internet radio from 1976... Well played Sir 👏👏

@Raziel1984 2 года назад

really cool idea and very nice execution!

@JamesSmith-vz8yr 2 года назад

Nice project man! Great video as usual, cheers!

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks James! Appreciate it! 👍

@jonaszprzybycien6545 2 года назад

The best part is - this radio can still work as intended. Strenghts of both, weaknesses of neither.

@rogernichols8150 2 года назад

Wow what a great idea Steve 💡 👏 😀 👍.....now you got me thinking 🤔 😀 I think I am going to do something like that....cheers mate 👍 👌 😀

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

It's great, I'm really happy with how it came out! There's something special about having new tech inside of old! 😁👍

@pearljameric 2 года назад

I thought the first sound without the amplifier sounded interesting. Especially considering the retro look. Almost like an Alexa time traveler.

@Njazmo 2 года назад

It's not retro, if it's vintage.

@Kyle_v2 2 года назад

I picked up a VHS player for $8 (£6.35) at this thrift store here in the US. It woks awesome and I already converted one video to digital.

@BlazingMediic 2 года назад

Id love to see more videos like this where you add Alexa to stuff that don't normally have it, Great video

@regularcyclist4852 5 месяцев назад

Unlike at lot of retro moders you have managed to keep the original functionality and added to it. Kudos to you for that.

@SMEInfluencers 2 года назад

Ah man, this brought back some memories. My dad had this above his bed all throughout my childhood. Used it as an alarm everyday to get up for work

@falloutguy8878 2 года назад

Steve great job I'm very impressed great job 👌 take care 👌

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks DR! 😍

@bobdavies604 Год назад

I had one in the 70s great radio

@txcforever 2 года назад

This was a great idea. Made me think that I could do something similar with my dad's broken pickup player.

@1974UTuber 2 года назад

Great use of a 1970's bedside radi9. Would have been nice if you could make the dial light up with the Alexa LED. A bit like HAL from 2001 Space Odyssey

@shawnanderson6878 Год назад

Love the mash up content! Keep up the great content!!

@markharby180 6 месяцев назад

Brilliant, this has inspired me to order a soldering iron !

@LittlePixelTM 6 месяцев назад

"Hey Matthew" LOL . Great upgrade :)

@oliverbehegan 2 года назад

'For No Particular Reason' is the best reason.

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Certainly is! Thanks OB Wan! 😁

@dimachesebastian6407 5 месяцев назад

SUPERB. blending old vintage stuff with modern technology is the best of both worlds. Respect the past embrace the future.

@germancarfan360 2 года назад

😂😂 the simon says segment made me laugh out loud, loved it!!!

@JasonPurkiss 2 года назад

One of your best thanks :) and we both said "INPUT" at the same time in Jonny 5 style :)

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

😁 brilliant!

@meowjakx3 7 месяцев назад

This is really cool even without the Alexa! Nice find! In 30 years people are going to be taking this apart again and wondering why there’s an outdated Alexa from a totally different time period. 😂

@ygstuff4898 Год назад

@4:17 -- safety first kids, and second,, and possibly third. 😄

@SixtyDoesStuff 2 года назад

This is maybe the coolest video you've done yet!

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

🤩 thanks Sixty! Really happy with how it turned out! 👍

@ANTandTEC Год назад

Lovley looking radio - very cool 😎 I am in the middle of doing the same (with a slightly newer radio cassette) i am hoping to mount the Alexa lights on the front somewhere.

@davidthomson6837 2 года назад

Mate,, you're a genius 👍👏👏

@RABLEGION 2 года назад

great use of old tech, love it. I appreciate not using the wake word as I hate it when videos wake my echo. I was wondering how you handled the microphone? is it just the internal mic on the echo or did you use a higher pick up mic?

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Robert! I used the internal mic as it seemed to be sensitive enough to pick everything up, even with the case around it. In hindsight, i would try to mount it closer to a vent or external hole of some kind. Alexa can't always hear me if the music is playing loud.

@michaelknowles1651 2 года назад

Nice work, great idea too

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Michael! 👍

@paulstewart2896 Год назад

And it plays Hipsway - The Honeythief. Respect

@smarthome2660 2 года назад

Nice job & I am glad you still have all of your fingers. I put a Sonoff Mini R2 in my Mr. Coffee. I have a reminder on my watch that warns me if I leave it on for 4 hours. BTW I have 10 Alexa's and none are inside of a radio, GG.

@StayCoolKeto 2 года назад

*Hey Mathew what do you see? the A Team, The A Team, I see the A Team* 😎

@JessicaFEREM 2 года назад

you could add a "sound activated relay" to detect if there's sound from the alexa and push the power button when it sees sound. but this also works, it's just always powering the amplifier. I would most likely do the same if i were in that situation

@thomasriedler8174 2 года назад

Very nice Job! I think the problem of driving the speaker directly with the Bluetooth amplifier was, that the original amplifier was still connected and therefore distorted the output.

@KisoX 2 года назад

This is in absolute beautiful idea! I was so worried that you wont use the radios speaker :D Great to see you figuring that out! If i got everything correct, the "Alexa" is turned on all the time and just silenced if you use the radio in its default behaviour?

@StezStixFix 2 года назад

Thanks Kisox! Yeah, Alexa is in low power mode until summoned, but only plays when on the correct input. So you can use the radio as originally intended without even knowing it was there! Also works great connected up to my phone, thanks to the Bluetooth receiver. So I can switch between Alexa and my phone easily. I'm really happy with how it turned out! 👍

@MarkGarbettLlanigan 2 года назад

@@StezStixFix you can connect alexa to a bluetooth source like your phone anyway. Just ask her to connect and you have to find it on your phone but it works

@imaginitivity7853 Год назад

I did something similar a few years ago with a Ferguson radiogram. Big wooden sideboard thing. It served as a TV stand and after I'd gutted it and put decent speakers in it i thought it was quite the retro bees knees. No one else who ever saw it shared that assessment however!

@atnorthabc 2 года назад

What a great idea 💡 old tec with a new twist outstanding

@hinachow1 2 года назад

My new favorite channel!

@UkdangermanRepairs 2 года назад

You sir, are a legend. 👍

@WillswoodworkingYEG 2 года назад

Nice work man!

@clivesilk3501 2 года назад

my mum and dad had one similar for their wedding present in 1974 ... it was a LLoytron fm am bedside clock radio with same red display and fake wooden sides ...

@BarryHuggins-z8x 6 месяцев назад

This would of also been nice if it was done with an Amazon Dot with the digital clock wired in. I would try it myselfself but i havent got anywhere near the skill set to even try. Still a brilliant project.

@RetroJack 2 года назад

I'm so glad I remembered to switch off the mic on my Alexa before watching!

@robertroche4220 2 года назад

Nice one Steve - just came across your channel now & subscribed. I'm 62 and love 70's equipment even though sadly I don't have any at the moment. I just have very fond memories of the quality of sound of that era - and especially bass. I supposedly have a good avr and speakers but can't get into listening to music on it at all - just doesn't have the punch I remember. It maybe because of the range of digital audio sources as well. I'll look at more of your videos - thanks for sharing.

@kimberlybates1187 2 года назад

I did have some issues with my patreon account when that card was canceled but I swapped over to the new one so everything should be good

@REDHOTREACTIONS Год назад

Holy cow... HEY MATTHEW!!!

@RETROGAME-FIX Год назад

I would never ruin that beautiful piece of history.

@mikemarave2275 Год назад

Wow, a "Short Circuit" reference 😮 "Input..." Some deep cuts here 😂

@RideSlide13 2 года назад

Was about to do this myself 🤦 then noticed the smoke coming from the clock at the end 🤣 great idea thou ❤️❤️❤️

@allthegearnotaclue 29 дней назад

If it was smoke, I'm not so sure it wasn't reflection, but either way I don't think it would be caused by anything Steve did, that clock display was coming and going before he took it apart.

@christoffergraff2708 2 года назад

love the work english isnot my first launge

@scotttait2197 23 дня назад

Steve i'm shocked you didnt know 5 pin din was cassete in/ out ... that old fergy could also play from a record deck

@avaricecustoms 2 года назад

Stuff like this makes me wanna grab a old boombox and do the same thing

@mattsephton Год назад

The algo recommended me this old video of yours. Great radio conversion! Your video production values are much better these days. Props to you and/or your editors!

@kennethbarker852 2 года назад

1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth😜

@martinbalmforth2665 2 года назад

Steve you set my fire tablet off every time you said Alexa

@elf0cs 2 года назад

I'm here for explosions!! 🤣😇

@ariecos05 2 года назад

What a novel concept. I love this!

@DTGuitarTech 2 года назад

Love this!!!!! Great job!

@BargainBarons 2 года назад

I have recently found your videos and have become a fan!! We are thrifters in Canada, we go to local yard sales and estate sales. I will be on the lookout for some broken electronics to send you!! Is there anything in particular you have been looking for from Canada?

@chris-vn6sw 2 года назад

Loved the video ! Mate did similar thing with a old army field radio.

@ontwricht 2 года назад

Masterpiece.

@thedutchretrogamer 2 года назад

thank you for not saying alexa nice upgrade

@thedutchretrogamer 2 года назад

thank you have a nice weekend

@ibrahimkocaalioglu 6 месяцев назад

Good job. Should have fixed the blinking clock as well.

@elvishards8161 2 года назад

Love the old retro style with creepy Alexa lol,,,,,FM= Frequency modulation AM= amplitude modulation

@phazonclash 2 года назад

Wow what a unit! I miss the build quality and sturdiness of appliances and devices from the 60-70-80s... we have great tecnologies these days, but most devices using these awesome technologies are so cheaply built.

@qwertykeyboard5901 2 года назад

beautiful radio.

@GlasPthalocyanine 5 месяцев назад

There were tons of dual use gadgets in the 70s, like "tea's mades" with a clock. Or clock/radios that were thrown out when the clock stopped working. Did any of these survive? Can you do anything else with them?