== This is a \"Master\" listing with a comprehensive description and material. For purchasing the unit(s) with discount and combined postage, see \"other items\". ==
Breathe New Life Into Your Vintage Valve Radio 📻
With AM broadcasting rapidly phasing out and HF bands polluted by modern appliance hum and buzz, don\'t let your historic radio fall silent. The FA-5 FM Tuner Module seamlessly adds clean, noise-free 87.5–108MHz FM reception to classic tube receivers, preserving the majestic sound of your original timber cabinet tube audio amplifier and speakers.
How It Works (No modification to your dial)* Uses Existing Tuning: No extra knobs, pushbuttons, or keypads required. Use your radio\'s original conventional tuning knob.
* Smart Oscillator Sensing (\"sniffing\"): The module measures the radio\'s local broadcast band (MW) oscillator frequency (1MHz–2MHz with common ~455kHz IF) and maps it across the FM band.
* Dial Range: The original MW scale (approx. 570kHz–1400kHz) neatly corresponds to the 87.5–108MHz FM band.
=== Major advantages of the FA-5 ===
1. Automatic Power-On/Shut-Down:Automatically senses the DC load when connected to a volume pot (<2MΩ). When switched off, it completely shuts down to prevent any crosstalk on AM reception.
2. Permanent powering from 6.3VAC:Easily wire it to your existing heater circuit. A single \"RADIO/GRAM\" switch is sufficient for flawless AM/FM changeover without AM/FM cross-talk. (Alternatively, can be powered from 7...12VDC)
3. 100% AM Preservation: No sacrificing MW/SW, no disconnecting tuning capacitors, and no rewiring of high frequency circuits. The sensitive contactless \"sniffer\" gimmick loop means you don\'t even need to solder to the oscillator circuit, you do not \"invade\", interfere with, detune, degrade the alignment of the radio.
4. Ultimate Sensitivity:Features an additional RF low noise high-gain front-end amplifier stage for exceptional reception of weak stations or in poor areas (like basements).
5. LED Indicators: Dedicated outputs for a TUNING indicator and for FM MODE indicator.
6. Powerful Low-distortion Audio Output:Delivers a strong 1Vrms output driven by an operational amplifier.
7. Plug & Play Setup:Zero calibration or adjustments required. Works perfectly with both capacitive and inductive tuning (car radios).
8. Premium Australian Made: New, not used items: Built locally on a high-quality gold-finished PCB (31mm x 52mm) with genuine components and fully tested.
=== Installation & Antenna Tips ===
Antenna Setup: Connect a separate FM antenna (30–70cm wire, telescopic rod, or outdoor coax) to Pin 3 (marked \"H\"). To share the radio\'s existing AM antenna terminal without shorting AM reception, connect it to the capacitively decoupled Pin 2.
AM/FM changeover can be done by the three broad basic methods, all explained in detain on my website:a) Use an existing \"RADIO/PICK-UP\" switch/knob;b) Fit a switch (toggle or slide) at the back;c) Use a tone control knob.
Documentation and instructions: Detailed schematics, step-by-step application notes, examples (some are in this listing) and guides, recommendations, indication LED connections, etc., are available from the website. I am happy to assist with your project. Please reach out if you have questions about your specific radio model, or regarding purchasing more than one unit.
=== Safety First:Installation is straightforward but should be performed by someone comfortable dealing with high voltage valve circuits. ===
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