Howard 482 FM converter

Not what I'd call a major project but this is a recent project that kept me happy for a few days. This is a Howard 482 FM converter. Receives FM and converts it to audio that you can plug into your old radio that has a phono jack.

There are several similar models out there. Maybe the most common is the Pilotuner T-601 by Pilot Radio. IMHO, the Howard is a much better unit.

I did the routine replacement of paper caps and electrolytics. These guys also have a bunch of white coated disc ceramics that can be dodgy and I had to replace two of them. Several resistors way out of spec. It only required slight realignment to be perfect.

I guess the biggest aggravation with this model is the knobs. They are made of some sort of plastic that outgasses badly and can be a real bear to clean up. I think I spent more time cleaning the knobs than working on the electronics!

The little wooden case is easy to refinish. The cheap wood doesn't need grain filler or anything special The black trim is my own fetish, it looks a bit frumpy otherwise. (Guess I should have cleaned out the corners a bit better before snapping the pic )

All in all they are nice little units and are the ticket to getting FM on your older radios.

Nice have seen a few befor..Ihad the pilot tuner 601 sold it..Dont see the Howards as much as you do the Pilots..Sprman : )

Anyway to make them work on 30, s console sets. Without
a lot of work. ? Nice looking set.

Sure. If there's not a phono connection its easy to add one if its a typical circuit from about the mid-30s going forward. Generally just tap into the 'top' of the volume control via a cap ~0.1uf.

How does the Howard perform? Any drift?

IMO, its much more sensitive than the Pilot. They are both non-AFC type of circuits. It would be hard to say if one drifts more than the other. Basically the same as any FM set up until the mid-50s when AFC became the norm in that it takes occasional touching up.

About to do a similar rebuild on a Howard 482 from long beach Cali. Mine is in rough shape. It's going on a 1941 silvertone chairside.