Attaching a Line-In to an old Philips Radio Cassette Recorder - (model number DR193)

This is a write up of how I attached a line in to an old radio cassette recorder.
I had an old Philips Radio Cassette Recorder (model number DR193). The radio was for MW and SW frequencies. The cassette player and the radio no longer worked. The single speaker worked - this I knew only by the noise it produced when I worked the radio needle.
There was no line in, just a line out.
So, I opened up the radio to see if I could somehow cut a wire here and there and attach a line in. In the end I managed to add a 3.5mm pin to the radio and now it can play any device with a 3.5mm jack.

I must mention here that I do not know the reason it works and I just managed to make it work by chance.

Before starting on I must also mention that I got the idea for this project by reading the excellent Instructable by TheRealAnubis (http://www.instructables.com/id/Adding-a-line-in-to-a-boombox-with-a-tape-player/)

Step 1 Tools of the trade

Apart from not having any knowledge of how to go about the objective, I did not have any proper tools either! Hopefully, if you decide to follow this, you'd be better equipped.
The stuff I used was
1. A simple screwdriver
2. A Philips head screwdriver
3. A pair of forceps
4. An old gel pen refill
5. A used safety razor blade
6. Electrical tape

This may seem a bit unusual list but let me explain

The screwdrivers are obvious. The Philips head screwdriver was used to open up the body and the regular one to open a single screw holding the board.
Forceps and pen refill - This helped a lot with handling the thin wires. The inside of the radio was a bit crowded and using fingers all the time was a bit hard. These two helped a lot.
Razor blade - To peel back the casing of the wires. I could have burned that but these provided a lot more precision. If you decide to use one then hold the wire from below and make the blade go upwards - away from your fingers (or forceps)
Electrical tape - I did not have any soldering equipment so I used the tape.

Comments

[TheDutchOwner]

It could go easier if you know how to solder. I did this to my Philips Alarm Clock, which is probably older then the cassette player *hehe*, and i just soldered the cable to the speaker leaving the ones to the board untouched. Radio works, alarm works, iPod and other audio devices work :)

[lemonie]

Good job.

L