Original Sound

There were a number of different early Falcon radios and most were made for Ford in Australia by AWA Amalgamated Wireless Australia. At first glance there appear to be three styles. The XK push-button and XL-XP with manual or push-button tuning. There are in fact more than nine types. In the main they are fully transistorised from the XM-XP era but the older XK and the XL are a hybrid, with valves and transistors.

The XK unit is easily identified by the way that it fits into a unique curved shaped hole in the dash. Other differences unique to this radio are the on off, volume and tuning knobs which are closer together that those on the XL-XP models. The XK model has five push buttons and a main-output unit piggybacked on the tuner pre-amp case which is interconnected by a plug and socket.Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. The 5 Star XK Push-button Radio with the main-amp piggybacked on the tuner pre-amp case		Fig. 2. The 3 Star XK Manual Radio in the single wedge shaped case.

This main amp unit came in two versions giving the three and five star options to the range. The three star model had a single push pull amp, while the five star amp was double push pull. The manual radio on the other hand was housed in a single, wedge shaped case. Figs. 2 & 3. The introduction of the XL saw a change in the size and shape of the radio slot but some XK radios where fitted to XLs using a chrome adapter plate.

Fig. 3. The Manually tuned, part valve part transistorised, AWA Ford radio as fitted to the XK Falcon.

The new square look XL push-button radio had the on off switch moved to one of six new slim push-buttons but still retained the white knobs and the three and five star amp options, unlike the manual tuning model which were only ever released in a three star version.
The manual also retained the on off, volume control knob while the push-button area was cast with a 4 segment blanking section.		Fig. 4. The XP Push-button Radio

These newer square and wider models, whether they housed transistors only or valves and transistors in single case, do not fit into the dash of an XK.

Over the course of the XM the internal hybrid valves of the XL models were phased out in favour of the all transistor unit. The only external difference to a radio built for an XM was the introduction of black knobs and a multi State dial was introduced on the XP models. Figs. 4 & 5. The star markings on the push-button models, signifying the main amp type, remained the same.

Fig. 5. The wider, fully transistorised AWA Ford radio as fitted to the XP Falcon.

As transistors became smaller and cheaper so competition became greater. The Astor name replaced Ford's on a range of transistorised radios produced for the early Falcons by them including one for the XK.

		Another innovation, made possible by miniaturisation, was the plug-in 'Picnic Radio' . The first of its kind in Australia and two and a half years in the making. Officially known as the AWA Auto-portable 8, and when pulled from a special cradle mounted behind the dashboard radio slot, it could run on its own nickel-cadmium batteries for 30 hours on a single charge received from the car's electrical system. Fig. 6.
Fig. 6. The AWA 'Auto-portable 8' especially made to slide into the Falcon's dash.		At 66 Guineas, or $973 in today’s dollars and about double the price of the cheapest manual Falcon radio, it is not surprising that there are only a few around.

After-market radios were rarely bought because of the high price, in most cases they were ordered with the car and paid for as part of the total car payment agreement.

If you're looking to buy an old radio and you can't hear it working consider it not to be working. In some ways the valve type are better as they are less likely to go wrong but on the other hand if they do they are harder to get bits for.

Never power up the radio without a fuse and the speaker in circuit. If there is a minor fault with the radio it will become major one with no fuse. Like engines they don't like being run without a load so connect the speaker. Replacement speakers can be obtained from Dick Smiths, Radio Shack etc. They're not quite right but will do providing only one is used. Don't run one in the front and one in the back.

The circuitry is very simple compared to a modern AM/FM unit and good fitting will make a big difference to reception. It is most important that the radio, which weighs a lot, is mounted firmly so as not to move about resulting in poor electrical contact with the vehicle. There is a special point in the light switch fuse box for the radio power take off and good sized cable should be used as the valve unit in particular draws a lot of current.

When installing an aerial, before drilling a hole in the bodywork inspect for adequate clearance and accessibility behind the panel, particularly with a retractable or motorised unit. Then clean any paint away from the under side of the hole, as again, the aerial base must make good contact with the car body. Improved reception can also be obtained by providing a good ground plane for the aerial. Attach a wire between the under side of the bonnet and the firewall. Aerials give the best reception when vertical so one mounted horizontal on the roof will not work as well as one on the guard. Try not to use any noise suppression if you can, but if you have too, only suppress the generator and/or the regulator not the distributor.

Once fitted, the aerial must then be tuned in. Turn the dial to about 1200 k/c, but not on a station, then adjust the aerial tuner on the side of the radio, sometimes a screwdriver slot, for loudest noise.

© BigH 2001

DISCLAIMER While this method has been tried and works, NO responsibility will be excepted by the Author, the Club or any of its Members.