1970's Stereogram - Bluetooth Upgrades & Modifications

Mark builds a bluetooth interface board, and 4 channel audio mixer from scratch. The Stereosound Stereogram project is completed!

[@stepheneyles2198]

I know this is a year-old video, but just in case anyone reads this: When you're drilling sheet material make sure there's something physical (i.e. a bolt through one of the drill table slots) which can prevent the workpiece from rotating in case it gets stuck on the drill. Years ago a colleague lost the end of his finger while drilling a small metal plate. The company we worked for refused to pay compensation due to his not taking precautions. Fascinating video, thanks for sharing!

[@greenshortscouk]

A better option is to get a hand Whitney punch set. No.5 or a No.XX, deep throat version.

[@xpump876]

Good advice

[@bobfrankish8883]

Hey Mark, just found your channel and subscribed. This really takes me back to great times. I worked for Stereosound Productions in Brighouse, West Yorkshire from 1970 to 1978 and was in charge of the electronics test department for about 3 years before I left. Everything was produced in-house in 1974, apart from the RF modules which were bought in from Mullard at the time. Later tuners were sourced from Korea I think and assembled into sets along with amplifiers still made in house. I am 70 now and still do a few repairs for people, I tend to specialise in valve equipment which was always my passion from being a hobbyist aged 15. I still have new old stock spares for Stereosound equipment, I just can't bear to throw them out, such great memories. It was really good fun working there at that time and all the test engineers were good guys.

[@peterlarkin762]

Fair play to you. There are still a good many stereosound units here in Ireland working away. Ive restored a few of them! Tricky to get the germanium transistors now. A lot of the capacitors were made locally to me in Shannon by Callan (a US company owned by an Irish immigrant). I make diy hifi, but it must be an amazing feeling having your products still in use 50 years later!

[@bobfrankish8883]

@@peterlarkin762 Wow! Just seen this reply Peter. They were great times, make no mistake. Yes, I remember those capacitors, black body I recall, they gave some trouble from new, mainly the polarity on the casing stamped wrong, so the girls who assembled the PCB's would insert them the wrong way round. I possibly could still have some NOS transistors in stock, can't remember if I ditched them or not. There was one amplifier called the 1020 which used all discreet silicon transistors, but not many were sold, it was quite unreliable unfortunately. All later amplifiers were IC outputs, which were not as interesting for me. If you ever service any more Stereosound units, there is a ticket on the electronics that is signed with the clocking-in number of the person who handled each stage of production, so if you see any with number 64 on the ticket, I will have tested it and aligned the tuner if it has a radio!

[@JohnChrysostom101]

How cool like an autograph!

[@bobfrankish8883]

@@JohnChrysostom101 I guess so, in these days of complete automation it's nice to remember the personal touches.

[@peterzinn9070]

I see many other guys say the same about you. You are very knowledgeable, talented and skilled.

[@chrismaton01]

Brilliant Mark. Have you ever thought of running the country!

[@forestreveries]

better not, he's into the covid scam :/

[@danstewart8218]

Mark - I wished we'd seen more of it once you'd finished; like you did with the Ducati... But wow, blimey; that Circuit Board: what a work of Art! Fantastic. 👍👍

[@CleoKawisha-sy5xt]

it's just a circuit board

[@Mcqlfc]

Awesome job Mark. You are a genius!! I thought I was the only one with a Sky LP!

[@kthwkr]

What album is that? Never mind I found it. John Williams, Herbie Flowers, Kevin Peek, Tristan Fly, Francis Monkman Where Opposites Meet.

[@mortensteen]

THAT is a work of art, Mark. Absolutely brilliant! Would have love to seen a few more shots of the finished product at the end, and some more showing off, but holy mother of Earth, what a job you did. :D

[@MendItMark]

Thanks! Really appreciate the kind words!

[@Dutchamp]

Clever design Mark, love the work on your channel.

[@lenbeedle]

Splendidly brilliant. It is as though I were witnessing a fine masterpiece born on to canvas. Simply mesmerizing. Well done!

[@dangaAgadanga]

Tonight’s telly sorted. Parts 1 to 3 and then back here. Seriously, I’ve been binge watching your great videos. I’m only feeling sorry that I might be half way through your playlists 👍🏼

[@koraypekericli]

Brilliant work! Soooo nice to follow you around doing so many different things one after another! Wonderful!

[@fretlessfender]

Not to be offensive, but Mark, you'll never get rich this way! As a one of project, I understand, but as a commercial repair shop... the things you do mate, is incredible! It makes fascinating videos so if that is the intention good for you! People like you are in short supply, so please keep up the good work and I will follow your progress till end of times! You are upthere you know with the best! Carlsons lab, Techmoan, glasslinger... now if I only could present you with 1.000.000 followers...

[@mikemidulster]

I think he must already be rich judging by the amount of equipment he has.

You are an electromechanical Artist and dominatesall possibly crafts. I salute you. Cheers Patagonia Argentina

[@FutureLineRoy]

So good to see some real repair and soldering as it should be done. I get sick to see the video's where they look for broken parts or a shorted capacitors. You are the real deal.

[@kshepard71]

Hey Mark. Great video series. You do outstanding work! Should you run out of fine grit sandpaper at some point, you should be able to use your green paper towels as a stand in! Lol

[@johnnyg1700]

Smashing job there Mark with the upgrades and I really enjoyed the series. My only recommendation, if I may, would be to place the etched PCB in some tinning solution to prevent oxidation of the copper. 👍👍

[@MendItMark]

Good point! I used to do this... And the UV soilder mask. Lots of hassle - but very rewarding!

[@martinhow121]

@@MendItMark a blow over all of it with ladies hair lacquer (extra strong hold!) after soldering is a quick way to improve things.

[@ivc5150]

Mark, you are a genius. Love your videos.

[@gargunza4141]

Service with a smile! Great job.

[@hpevans9041]

Great series Mark, talk about multi skilled!

[@rayofcreation3996]

This is a work of art. What passion! Wow!

[@davenone7312]

Your knowledge is on another level. It is amazing to watch you work. I, too, was an Electronics Technician in my earlier days, so I can certainly relate to your work and fully appreciate what you do. You should have used the same type screws for your new back panel as the original panel next to it used. Panheads not countersunk. Also I would have used some standoff spacers for the 2 new boards you installed instead of screwing them down directly to the board.

[@CleoKawisha-sy5xt]

no one asked about your screw preference

[@tonedriverss8629]

Beyond amazing ! Fantastic work !

[@lokesh5]

Outstanding .. 200% job satisfaction

[@jstro-hobbytech]

As i tell my students. Dont hide your pinky! Again amazing work

[@LifeByKpop]

Beautiful job! I'd love to have that system.

[@peekpt]

Hi Mark, FIY for the noise I just used a simple RC filter on the input power. 56 ohm Resistor in series and a 330uF cap on the power input of the module. Simple as that. You source the power from any 5v you find on your Radio/PA It will take 1 second to come on, but bye bye noise. I usually do a 5v regulator that will pick 7-25v anywhere in the circuit then 56 ohm in series along the positive wire and put a cap on the power terminals of the module

[@FrankWoodPhotography]

Superb. Your channel is going to explode!

[@shaunberry7893]

This is a great channel, brilliant work.

[@codebeat4192]

Repair to the next level. Amazing job, really. Love the attention to details, explanations, the tools and doing it the best you can. Have you ever thought about to buy a little CNC machine to make such PCBs? Great channel and personality, subscribed!

[@skip1835]

and - - it is true if you play the " Number 9" song on a turntable and turn the record backwards with you finger, it really does say "turn me on dead man" - - - during the Number 9 era there were rumors of Paul being dead.

[@chrisduggan5827]

Love the Channel! Great tutorials and info!!

[@2626sylver2626]

I will share it in Facebook now outstanding job/precision and knowledge 👏

[@donlunn792]

Beautiful job.

[@jhareng]

Mark you deserve a pint of Abbot, forget the IPA. Top class work, know where to come. Tried importing an etcher kit 12 years back, works on aluminium and steel?

[@jhareng]

Just seen Mend it for Money on All4, blew Alastair out the water Episode 6, one of the few real talents on there. Even better getting the job Episode 11, i do wonder if the competion would be so highly rated should he have won.

[@IlBiggo]

Half of the world: "DON'T BREATHE THE FUMES IN! YOU'LL DIE! USE AN EXTRACTOR!" Mark: "luckily I like it."

[@technicaltrialsandtribulat4574]

Great vid, watched it twice now!

[@AMMCElectronics]

I think the smoke straight to our faces is because we're grounded when we hold the soldering tool. The smoke particles could be charged because is moving up and they closes the circuit in our face which is nearly above the smoke source. But that's my theory, for sure must be verified by an expert.

[@ericrobinson5250]

Hi Mark, I've just stumbled on your channel. I have subscribe and just want to say it is very entertaining and easy to watch. Even though I don't have any electronic knowledge I am really enjoying your videos. What a clever chap you are. Have you done and workshop tour? That would be very enjoyable I would think.. Keep up the good work!!!!!

[@chrisfry3464]

Hi Mark are you up to looking at a couple of SM450 (mackie) amp chassis ?

[@jaycee1980]

Luckily SOD-123 package will go onto the MELF pads without any issue! and they're much less of a SOD to solder ;)

[@Kopter6]

Mark I really appreciate what you do and accomplish on KZbin. The PCB you did for the Bluetooth is top notch, could you tell me what software you used to do the layout? All the best!

[@MendItMark]

I used Design Spark from RS Components. However, it’s gone very unstable on my laptop in its latest revision, so I’m now using KiCad.

[@Kopter6]

@@MendItMark Thanks for the info Mark, KiCad has a lot of horsepower under the hood.

[@policewitnesspoplar4865]

Hi, excellent channel, could you release this mod as a kit please? it's exactly what I need for my Bush DAC10

[@mikem9403]

Excellent video

[@dhdove]

Hi Mark, I’ve just found your channel (and subscribed) and loved watching this restoration of something I remember as a child. A couple of questions: You mentioned a cartridge upgrade early on but didn’t show it, also did you inspect/check the speakers and consider upgrading them? Best TonyS

[@mcg6762]

I use the toner transfer method and I find it way easier than UV exposing and I can use cheap copper boards without photo resist

[@dzwings20]

Respect

[@rudijoris9555]

I'm curious what version of Bluetooth are those modules that you use. Are they updated to the latest. It would kinda suck if it was only version 4.2 when 5.3 is out and better. Anyway, it was a great video as usual.

[@saduniwathsala]

Excellent👍

[@MrJohnberth]

Stereosound was made in Brighouse west yorkshire

[@calypso22]

Brilliant!

[@adrianmckernan3397]

Great channel Mark. I was wondering how your Bluetooth switch PCB works. Does it take a logic level output from the bluetooth module and then switch the relays after a certain delay?

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

FYI: The developer is nothing but simple sodium hydroxide. Drain cleaner pellets. I have a bottle of them and I always make a bit of fresh developer with a few pellets. Best etching fluid I found to be Hydrochloric acid 10% with a dash of hydrogen peroxide 30%. Etches your pcb in a minute tops and details are preserved quite well, although you can always dilute the solution if it really goes too fast. This method does fume though and needs good ventilation.

[@Jimmermgb]

Great Mark, another fantastic project and upgrade... I wonder if the bluetooth module could retrofit even further back to my 1965 Rockola 430 jukebox!? I am not necessarilly interested in extra inputs other than the bluetooth upgrade..Does it work with any provider... I have an Apple Music account?

[@TheManLab7]

I also like the smell of flux, tin and lead fumes 😊 I wonder if it's healthier than inhaling cancer sticks 🤔 Who knows? 🤷🏻‍♂️ I really wish I knew electronics 😔 I used to be a sparky (electrician). But after my bike accident, it's something I'll never be able to physical do anything, due too loosing my leg up to the groin. I also can't even wear a prosthetic, as my pelvis was smashed to bits. So for quite a few years now, I've just been using my crutches and my scooter to get about. I also broke a few other bits quite badly, which has taken 30mm of my height. There's also quite a few other bits that happened, but there sort of all good now. I also gave me a mild brain injury due too lack of oxygen to my brain. It took me quite a while to learn the alphabet again and I'm now dyslexic. It affected my frontal lobe as I must of been laying on my back on the scene. I was GCS 3 for quite some time, as they put me under on the scene as I was really poorly ☹️ Anyway. What it's affected me the most is my short term memory, learning new stuff, remembering thing's, I get confused quite easily, I get distracted REALLY easily and I know there's more but I can't remember. I need to ask my mum about all the other bits I went back to college for a couple of years and I REALLY struggled. I had to ask the teachers the same thing countless times and I also had to get them to put things in the most basic laymans terms. But even THEN I struggled. When I'm learning new stuff. For some reason, it just doesn't sink in and I have to ask then a couple of times. But when I was at college, I had to ask the same question COUNTLESS times. I do get really annoyed, sometimes agitated and sometimes pissed off because I can't remember new things I've just learnt. So when it comes to learning a completely different new subject, where you actually need your brain to learn a shit tonne of stuff. I'm absolutely fucked then. WELL. This comment ended up in a complete different direction 🤨

[@techNK12]

Sir how to aviod the noise of bluetooth module..

[@dannydoyle3687]

Why don’t you blow on a solder joint

[@donnmullins3184]

I have a vector research amp I really want to get fixed, huge power can you tell me anything about it. Is it worth repair, I appreciate any thing you could tell me about it donn j. Mullins Fresno CA

[@philiptate8810]

This is probably a really stupid question (my electronics knowledge is basic at best), but at around 34:00 does it not matter that some of the pins on the chips are shorted with solder? (Obviously it doesn't matter, Mark knows what he's doing, I'm just curious!)

[@ericrobinson5250]

OOPS have just seen that you have already done a workshop tour. Will no have a looksee, Cheers

[@peronnikbeijer213]

SBD -> Surface bent design BY the way, you know the fumes are toxic, right? Why not install a little fan?

[@ceemills]

Do you think discrete op amps are worth the quality improvement?

[@jimalcott760]

Where is Mend it Mark…????

[@johnwalker6752]

Best channel on KZbin

[@Jrer241067]

How much would you charge to make one of those Bluetooth modules for me?? I have a Technics Amp ,but it’s in two boxes Pre Amp and Power Amp. The Power Amp drives the speakers the Pre Amp has all the inputs from the components. It’s quite High End,but at the time no USB or Bluetooth devices had been invented,so these weren’t offered. The switching inside the Pre amp seems to be done with High End relays. So like many people I expect wold like to be able to connect Bluetooth speakers,Headphones,phones,tablets and have the option to stream music. Cambridge Audio do a good unit,but it’s 1600.00+ Let me know you’re thoughts👍👍jason

[@NELSONPRIYANKARA]

I am from Sri Lanka. I know a little English. But keep watching the video

[@thomasmleahy6218]

I reckon most people that have or have inherited electronics from the past aren't even aware that this type of service is available. So you do your counterfeit production on days you're not doing electric repair, yes?

[@rhiantaylor3446]

While I agree that the start-up sounds with the small adapters are a pain, isn't there an easier fix ? Just power it from an external 5v adapter that consumes

[@tazmaniachill]

Hi Mark I subbed earlier today but accidentally I unsubbed 😂 rectified that now, you would make a great teacher, just wish there was some one around when I really wanted to learn, I am 70 this year, but still like to dabble, built a few nixie clocks for me and those that get all excited over retro stuff 😂 kudos Mark, wish you well with your channel ❤ As an aside, my most magical moment.. I was 15 and was so lucky for one christmas, birthday pressie, I got an Elizabethan reel to reel tape recorder (built not far up the road from me) it was awesome, had the famous ‘magic eye, tube. And when got an electrical apprenticeship bought an akai 400D, then a Teac stereo recorders, happy days going down the Tottenham Court Road looking in the shop windows for new hifi equipment… happy days 😂

[@leonardpeters3266]

Hurrah.

[@iblesbosuok]

I think you forgot supply coupling capacitors for those opAmps. Cmiiw

[@Spellfork]

I think I have some kind of phobia regarding small electronic components

[@kenielsen]

Absolutely amazing work! I did find the through hole "SMD" print quite inspiring 👍 Job well done😊

[@marcel7755]

wow👍👍👍👍

[@radumitroi4]

Absolutely underrated channel. Great job, thank you for sharing this with us.

[@SitiSarah-f9w]

🙏👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@Jammerk40]

What a beautiful job! You made an old record changer radio into more then it was! Now you can do Blue Tooth ,CD , Etc. Very nice! I love how you refinished the cabinet!

[@beatnikjones26]

Love how you don't really skip any aspect of the process of your repairs or try to speed things up like some electronics channels do. Fantastic channel. Subscribed 👍

[@Paul8661]

I just discovered your channel, you are a master of your craft and I look forward to watching your entire library. Thank you for sharing your skills with us.

[@mikemattingly2859]

Brilliant! You sir, are a genius electrician. I enjoyed the whole restore series! Id give my left kneecap to be able to accomplish what you have. I wish I could get my Kenwood ct 400 tape deck to you to refurbish, but im in USA. I would know it would be done right! I salute you, sir!

[@aarondrabitt9578]

I love this surface mounting of through hole components....absolutely brilliant at audio frequencies...

[@michaelclutton8446]

What a superb job, your a talented guy. I think the way you put the video together with a bit of humour is superb

[@FastAsFunk]

Just brilliant stuff Mark...! Only found your channel recently and am loving the content and style of delivery. The attention to detail that goes into the repairs and restorations is a genuine delight to see. Thank you very much for taking us along for the journey...!

[@chillidogkev]

Absolutely super series of restoration and upgrade videos Mark. Watching these and others, I'm beginning to wonder if there is actually a piece of equipment or a specialist tool that you don't own! 🤣🤣🤣

[@rolandbogush2594]

Brilliant work, Mark. Very impressed at your range of skills!

[@marktubeie07]

Fantastic job Mark, so much fun to watch. I think there would be a market for this kind of update to those of us who love Stereogram restorations.

[@farktard2740]

@40:50 "like watching your Dad do something" made me laugh so hard! well done Mark, keep up the good work :)

[@christhekiwi109]

Mate you're a genius, truely remarkable the work you do. I'm glad I found your channel.

[@WayniKlaru14344]

Brilliant work, Mate. It's a piece of vintage audio that you can find only at the museum but you restore the life of the machine and extend and added an ultra modern gadget. This is superb. I am speechless. This will take another 100 years of fun and enjoyment and the life of the machine and probably outlasting the life of the owner. 😀✌

[@jlev505]

You’re work is truly amazing. I am learning a lot from watching you. Keep up the great videos. It is truly appreciated.

[@leongailberger7676]

Hey there, are you willing to give out the schematics?

[@CraftyZA]

Any chance of sharing or selling that BT gerber file?

[@BarnSt0rmer]

I had a stereogram thing like that once when I was a kid. It was down at the local tip one day when we took a load of junk down there and somehow it ended up coming home with us. Back then I was more interested in taking things apart to see how they worked and salvaging components from them, I wouldn't have had the first clue about how to start fault-finding and repairing things back then, and I'm sad to say that it ended up back at the dump (or the cabinet part of it did). There were loads of things I took apart when I was a kid, Hi-Fi separates, VCR's, all sorts of electronic things that didn't work, and it gave me a pretty good understanding of how things work. One thing's for sure, if I worked at the tip these days I'd probably be bringing things home with me every day of the week, I can't stand the thought of things going to waste. All that lovely high-end stuff that goes in the bin every day makes me sad.

[@AleksandrSharabrin]

Классное видео, позитивный чел

[@macstar8317]

What a great repair. You deserve way more subs. Great work!

[@azmoz1321]

Nice work Mark, looks brilliant , like you’ve never been inside. Im sure your customer was delighted 😊

[@nesertema4583]

amazing job! one detail, at 40:00 I would put flathead screws instead, to match it with the original ones 🙂

[@allantoft9961]

I really want to learn how to solder after this but i get the feeling that you make it look a lot easier than it actually is...

[@daveblack1000]

fantastic series of videos. Just got a similar player from my grandma that has passed away. looking forward to trying to replicate!

[@precbass]

Fascinating to watch.You know your stuff my man.

[@johnmarchington3146]

Mark, you made a really nice job with that design of the PCB. When I was working in electronics it was all through-hole design I'm pleased to say. I think I would have been hopeless working with smds.

[@steves2694]

No matter what our skill or hobby, we all have those fookin hell moments. That's what makes the end success even sweeter.

[@hsm0113]

This is absolute craftsmanship Mark! Could these 'Bluetooth Upgrades & Modifications' be done on a classic car radio? Well done mate.

[@MendItMark]

Yes they could, as long as the right power supplies (5V) are created.

[@BungleBare]

There’s a KZbin channel called Pete C/Cortina City. The guy who runs it restores Ford Cortinas as his hobby and is a bit of an electronics whizz as well. He’s done videos on installing Bluetooth to period car stereos, and has a Cortina that he can use as his daily transport that, despite looking like it just left the factory, he has Bluetooth and the facility of hands-free calling in. It’s a really neat, invisible install, and he goes into it in detail in his videos. In some videos earlier this year he’s bought a load of 8-track players and got them all working, and I think he’s going to add Bluetooth functionality to some of those too.

[@hbhmhbhm]

@@BungleBare Pete C Has a great channel, the level of detail he goes to is amazing, the Cortinas he has restored are very lucky indeed!