Testing a stock radio? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 06-29-2019, 08:04 PM

I don't think Ive ever seen a thread on how to test a stock radio not mounted in a truck. I must have three or possibly four of these things floating around.

Can anyone go through the process? How to hook to a battery, how to hook up an after market speaker (we all seem to have one or two of those floating around), and what kind of antenna can we use to see if we can pull in those all powerful AM stations =)

**Grumpy old man** · 06-29-2019, 08:14 PM

12 volt battery
radio
jumper cables
8 ohm speaker with speaker wire attached
antennae

Make sure radio is turned off
attach speaker wire to radio plug
attach antennae lead to radio
attach jumper cable positive to radio red power wire
attach jumper cable negative to radio support stud on back of the radio

turn radio on and enjoy high fidelity tunes circa 67-72

Don't turn radio on without 8 ohm speaker attached

Killer Bee · 06-30-2019, 06:29 AM

suggest you read this about vintage radio and speakers first..

http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm

may consider buying a 10 ohm test speaker before you burn up a vintage transistor radio..

I have talked to Greg, happy with the products I ordered, and great customer service..

and while S&M doesn't re-cone, I found a place that does..

http://www.nealspeakerservice.com

Mike rebuilt my 65 plate back to its OE 10 ohm goodness

there's a picture of one in upper left corner of home page..

good luck!

CG · 06-30-2019, 01:13 PM

Good info, thanks guys!

**hooverfish** · 09-21-2019, 08:09 PM

Quick Radio Test:
* you must have a 10 ohm speaker, don't turn on the radio unless this type speaker is connected.
1 First pop the hood of your C10 and rest the radio on top of the battery, with switch turned OFF.
2 Next connect the 3 wires coming from the radio's power plug.
Clip power wire to positive terminal of battery,
connecg the other two (green and black) to a 10 ohm speaker paying attention to positive and negative poles.
3 Then plug in antenna with mast attached to the back of the radio.
4 Then set radio on the radiator support next to battery, this will ground the metal case of the radio.
5. Turn on the radio (it should light up inside) and tune to local AM station.

franken · 09-21-2019, 10:39 PM

"1 First pop the hood of your C10 and rest the "
So my all other C/K 10/20/30 have different radios?
Obviously a 3/4 ton radio is heavier...
Think

06-29-2019, 08:04 PM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,035	Testing a stock radio? I don't think Ive ever seen a thread on how to test a stock radio not mounted in a truck. I must have three or possibly four of these things floating around. Can anyone go through the process? How to hook to a battery, how to hook up an after market speaker (we all seem to have one or two of those floating around), and what kind of antenna can we use to see if we can pull in those all powerful AM stations =) __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

06-29-2019, 08:14 PM	#2
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Testing a stock radio? 12 volt battery radio jumper cables 8 ohm speaker with speaker wire attached antennae Make sure radio is turned off attach speaker wire to radio plug attach antennae lead to radio attach jumper cable positive to radio red power wire attach jumper cable negative to radio support stud on back of the radio turn radio on and enjoy high fidelity tunes circa 67-72 Don't turn radio on without 8 ohm speaker attached __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop Last edited by Grumpy old man; 06-29-2019 at 08:57 PM.

06-30-2019, 06:29 AM	#3
Killer Bee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Barber City, CA Posts: 4,816	Re: Testing a stock radio? suggest you read this about vintage radio and speakers first.. http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm may consider buying a 10 ohm test speaker before you burn up a vintage transistor radio.. I have talked to Greg, happy with the products I ordered, and great customer service.. and while S&M doesn't re-cone, I found a place that does.. http://www.nealspeakerservice.com Mike rebuilt my 65 plate back to its OE 10 ohm goodness there's a picture of one in upper left corner of home page.. good luck! __________________ *I started out with nothing - and I still have most of it*

06-30-2019, 01:13 PM	#4
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,035	Re: Testing a stock radio? Good info, thanks guys! __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

09-21-2019, 08:09 PM	#5
hooverfish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lexington, Ky Posts: 2,147	Re: Testing a stock radio? Quick Radio Test: * you must have a 10 ohm speaker, don't turn on the radio unless this type speaker is connected. 1 First pop the hood of your C10 and rest the radio on top of the battery, with switch turned OFF. 2 Next connect the 3 wires coming from the radio's power plug. Clip power wire to positive terminal of battery, connecg the other two (green and black) to a 10 ohm speaker paying attention to positive and negative poles. 3 Then plug in antenna with mast attached to the back of the radio. 4 Then set radio on the radiator support next to battery, this will ground the metal case of the radio. 5. Turn on the radio (it should light up inside) and tune to local AM station. __________________ Larry 84 Chevy SWB, "Roy", dark blue OG paint, 5.7 LS1, 4L60, Vintage Air, 96k miles. "It's a sorry man who can't find his wife a good job"

09-21-2019, 10:39 PM	#6
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,128	Re: Testing a stock radio? "1 First pop the hood of your C10 and rest the " So my all other C/K 10/20/30 have different radios? Obviously a 3/4 ton radio is heavier... Think



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