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A modern Datsun 260Z FM radio with Bluetooth support!


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I am looking for testers for a new custom made 260Z FM radio. I have included the "official" text below, but feel free to contact me in any way.


The following page and the video below introduce this topic the best: http://borsjewebdevelopment.nl/radio.


 


[sharedmedia=videos:videos:274]

 



This is a modern radio for a Datsun 260Z. I have started this project a few years ago, and as it got out of hand, I decided to take "that extra step" and make it reproducable. It has taken me through around 4 fully functional prototypes; on a breadboard and ones worth 2 hours of soldering. The final version suits my needs and probably those of many others. It supports FM radio and offers a 3.5 mm jack socket for audio from your iPhone or practically any other (smart)phone. A complete lists of functionalities:


  • A FM radio with a 87.5 - 108 MHz range
  • Radio station name display (RDS service name)
  • Radio station text display (RDS text)
  • Up to 8 saved stations (fully customizable)
  • A 3.5 mm jack socket as of 08-17-'16
  • Stereo sound
  • A 12V/5A antenna retractor switch (operated through touch screen)
  • A 2x 40W amplifier
  • A 0.8A 2.0A USB socket to charge your smartphone/navigation as of 08-17-'16
  • A CNC milled 2.5 mm black anodized powder coated front panel as of 08-17-'16
  • Installable without cutting the 260Z dashboard frame
  • Bluetooth support as of 08-17-'16

As the final version differs from my final prototype in the way that it's almost solely consisting of SMD parts and adds the functionality of an automatic antenna switch, I'm looking for Datsun owners to help testing. If you're interested, please contact me on pepijn@borsjewebdevelopment.nl!



Edited by BorsjeWebdevelopment
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Thanks!

 

My final prototype has been ordered, and I had some spare time to make pictures of the interface in it's 'natural habitat' (tuned in ;)).

I couldn't upload them to the gallery here, so you check them out on http://borsjewebdevelopment.nl/radio/.

 

 

Or only in this post:

tuned0.jpg

 

tuned1.jpg

Edited by BorsjeWebdevelopment
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The USB port was added only to charge the phone, so you also need to plug in the 3.5 mm jack if you'd like to play music from your phone.

It has 2 sound channels; right and left. 4 outputs are technically possible, but the amplifier can - in that case - only provide 4x7 W @ 4 Ohm (compared to 2x40 W @ 4 Ohm).

 

(Pre-amp) RCA outputs are not added by default, but I can provide a very easy tutorial to manually solder them yourself. I can also add them for you.

However, I will try to get this on the final version if it doesn't cause too many problems!

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  • 11 months later...

The initial estimated time required to finish the final prototype was quite a bit longer than expected, as can be seen by the date difference of my last post in this topic :). After overcoming every delay known to mankind I feel it's time to update you once again: the project has been under constant improvements and received some major updates to provide everything you'll need in a car radio.

 

First of all, the front panel has been restyled: the aluminium is engraved after it's been powder coated black to indicate volume level, signal strength, FM frequency and LED status. Furthermore, the 3.5mm jack has been dropped & the on/off switch is removed. The antenna switch is also made electronically instead of a mechanical switch. Status LEDs have been added to indicate FM or Bluetooth and whether the antenna is (or should be ;)) moving.

 

The 3.5mm jack has been dropped as it wasn't worth the extra complexity after Bluetooth support was added. It gave some headaches to let the Bluetooth part work properly, but I'm very confident it'll work perfectly once done.

 

TL:DR; view the final prototype in 2 new videos: 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Very cool.. Keep me posted once you get ready to start shipping.

 

kerrys914atyahoo.com

Thanks! Will do!

 

If you're interested for more details, I'm currently working on the manual, which describes most features and gives a bit more insight in the control: http://borsjewebdevelopment.nl/z/manual_v0.1.pdf.

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  • 2 months later...

The layout has been finalized, the panel you see in the picture will be the one you receive. Although it looks pretty good the real life version is even more beautiful!

 

I had to remove a big relay on the board which could supply power to an old-school automatic antenna. I have replaced it with a smaller switch, which can be used to provide +12V or GND to a modern automatic antenna.

 

Furthermore, I will be providing an additional product (~€19,95) which can be used to change the 2 channel output into a 4 channel output! A pre-amp 3.5mm socket is available too, so don't worry if you require more!

 

All parts are being ordered, I will be shipping around the January 1st. (Pre-)orders can be made within 4 weeks from now, and I will be providing more media material soon!

 

240Z version will probably be ready around this time as well!

post-50604-0-57114700-1479656475_thumb.png

Edited by BorsjeWebdevelopment
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  • 2 months later...

Pre-order yours on http://borsjewebdevelopment.nl/z now!

 

I've learned the hard way not to announce development durations, but it has finally been done: the radio is ready for pre-ordering! We're still waiting for some subcomponents to arrive, so expect shipping to start within 2-4 weeks.

Note the list with functionalities as there have been some minor changes.

 

post-50604-0-96160600-1485693345_thumb.jpg

post-50604-0-50278600-1485693444_thumb.jpg

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Very nice. There are only 2 issues I see, one is the price seems a little high and two the screen is small and while driving you will have a very difficult time utilizing the touch screen. It's hard enough with a double din touch screen much less one half the size. Good luck though. 

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Thanks! I always appreciate feedback, so I'd like to get back to you on those points: the touchscreen uses roughly 90% of the screen for its main function: searching up and down for radio stations. I'm no small person nor are my fingers, but pressing the right side of the screen always works out (you feel the right of left edge which gives a nice confirmation that you're at the correct side). Of course reaching the settings page requires more precision, but is meant for intentional use at max.

 

About the price, unfortunately it is indeed higher than anticipated, but I'm not making a profit considering the costs and assembly time per unit. Getting a powder coated CNC'ed panel, custom made PCB, high quality knobs, housing, cables, etc. at these quantities takes up almost all the price. I have great ideas for a future version, so you'll be supporting that as well.

 

Nonetheless, I'm very confident the radio is a quality product and hope everyone who orders one will feel the same!

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