Dan's Review of the Automatic Radio Model FTC-2008 FM/TV Converter

 

 

I wonder how many Herculodge readers remember FM converters similar to this Automatic Radio Model FTC-2008. These converters were popular in the late '60s and enabled owners of cars equipped with AM-only radios to listen to FM broadcasts.

 
 

Today, classic car enthusiasts like me continue to use these small, under-dash units to maintain the originality of a vehicle's factory-installed AM radio while adding the ability to receive FM stations.

 

I believe this is the first online review of the Automatic Radio Model FTC-2008 FM/TV Converter. Installation in my 1965 Rambler American convertible was easy. I drilled two small holes under the ashtray and securely bolted the converter's mounting bracket to the car's dashboard. This also provide a stable ground connection to the Rambler's negative-ground electrical system.

 

Next, I connected the FTC-2008's single power lead to a spare terminal on the car's fuse panel under the dash. Then, I unplugged the car's antenna coax cable from the factory radio, plugged it into the FTC-2008 converter, and plugged the coax cable from the converter into the car's radio. It took only a minute to affix the converter to its bracket.

 

The FTC-2008 utilizes one integrated circuit, two FETs, six transistors, and nine diodes in a superheterodyne-type circuit to drive an AM (1400 kHz) oscillator converter. Thus, FM signals received by the car's original antenna are converted to an AM signal, passed to the car's radio via coax cable, and tuned by dialing the car's AM radio to 1400 kHz.

 

With Rambler's fender-mounted whip antenna extended to 31 inches, the FTC-2008 receives FM signals very well -- with sensitivity comparable to the factory-installed Bose audio system in my SUV. On the road, the FTC-2008 delivers rock-solid reception with no noticeable fading of my favorite oldies station while driving up and down hills on rural roads.

 

My only gripe is that audio quality is compromised due to the frequency-response characteristics of the Rambler's 45-year-old AM radio and its single in-dash speaker. However, this is a disadvantage that I'm prepared to live with in order to preserve the car's originality. Also, the FTC-2008's ability to receive and convert TV audio signals is a thing of the past; television broadcasts are all-digital today.

 

 

Overall, I would recommend the FTC-2008. It's quick and easy to install, and it locks onto FM stations as well as any contemporary mobile FM receiver. Put the top down, crank up the oldies, and you won't even notice the mediocre audio quality. Suddenly, it's 1965 again.

 

 
 

Comments

[Carlos]

Highly decent.

[Michigan Radio Addict]

I had something like this years ago in my 1964 Chrysler Newport (with the pushbutton automatic transmission). That was my first car when I got my license back in 1980.

The car was huge -- it was like the old Jay Leno jokes about the 1955 Buick Roadmaster. "You don't need to use the radio; you can just bring in live acts."

And..."This car seats six -- for dinner."

My family had a 1961 sky-blue Rambler 4-door when I was a kid. That was a decent enough car, but nowhere near as sexy as the Rambler American.

Yours looks great; I'm definitely envious.

[Angelo]

About 10-15 years ago, the old FM converters were literally being thrown away---I had at least two of them and donated them to Goodwill. But now it seems as though a lot of people who restore old cars want to get their hands on one.

[Tom Welch]

I had a FM converter in my VW bug b/c the dealer wanted a $145 for a real AM/FM radio then.

[Scooby214]

I have one of the old Realistic converters that I bought for my dad's truck back in the early '80s. It doesn't lock onto stations as well as most modern analog car radios, but it is nice to use in restored autos. I rescued it out of my dad's old '64 Chevy that caught fire. He ended up selling off the Chevy. The converter was exposed to some water after the fire, but it still works. I didn't want to see the thing go with the burnt out Chevy.

Brian