|
October 3rd - Signal Corps Speaker
In the Dodge, I have an original Signal Corps speaker connected to an amplifier and MP3 player. This plays air traffic conversations to bring the non-functioning radios to life. I wanted something similar in the Jeep, but without the big car battery and amplifier needed for the large original speaker. For the Jeep, I decided to make a dummy speaker in which I could hide a small amplified speaker and MP3 player. So off I went to the scrap wood box to have a dig around and see what would be useful. I found some 9mm MDF and 6mm ply, plus some aluminium
sheet and steel perforated sheet. The box went together fairly quickly with a
large circular hole in the front. The steel mesh was epoxied to the inside of
the hole. The aluminium sheet was slit with a cutting disc in three places, to
allow the louvres to be pressed in. This was then epoxied to the front of the
box. |
|
|
|
|
|
Lots of cellulose high build primer was applied to fill the grain on the rest of the box and an aluminium lid made. Once all sanded, filled and sanded again and it was all smooth, it was given a sprayed coat of hammer finish hammerite. The front was drilled for some screws, which on the real speaker hold the speaker to the front panel and the front onto the case. |
|
|
|
|
|
A small aluminium plate was cut for the data plate and a waterslide decal made with the data on. this was screwed in place with some tiny screws. The whole speaker was then given a sprayed satin clear coat. |
|
|
|
|
|
I haven't finalised the mount and position in the Jeep yet. It needs to be removable to allow the dummy radio to tip open to access the storage below it and the rear Jeep locker. I think I'll make some wooden trays like in the Dodge, which will slot onto the Jeep side panel, but lift off again when needed. I'm very pleased with the look of the completed speaker. |
|
|
|
|
|
-----
October 4th - Speaker Mount A 1/8 inch plywood mount was made along the lines of those fitted in B-17's. So that I could still access the inside of the dummy radio, it was to be removable if needed. Three bolts were fitted into the back of the radio, with a nut and washer tightened on the outside. On top of those was another nut with a large washer soldered onto it. The first nut and small washer, spaced the larger washer away from the radio back, allowing the speaker mount to slot down into position. |
|
|
|
|
|
Here you can see the slots in the mount prior to sliding it down into place. The next picture shows the speaker mount and speaker in their fitted positions. |
|
|
|
|
|
The 1/8 inch plywood is a sung fit between the radio and the washers, so it shouldn't vibrate loose. With a good fit confirmed, the side of the Jeep was refitted. The speaker only covers a small part of the rear window and doesn't block the view of other traffic. |
|
|
|
|
|
Shortly after the fitted pictures were taken, the speaker and mount were removed to give the mount a couple of coats of varnish to seal the wood. It was refitted later once it had time to fully cure, and a short video made of the MP3 player and amplified speaker operating inside the dummy speaker. |
|
|
|
