Project: 85.2 FM

[Dash20]

Hey everyone! This work log has been a long time coming, but after almost a month of planning and some building, I have some things to show. For those unfamiliar, I'll reiterate a few things from the first help thread I started:

After doing some looking around, I've noticed most (if not all) mods from the video game Portal are of the weighted companion cube; however, I've never seen a mod done for the radio that appears a few times in the game:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/PortalRadio.jpg

As such, I've decided to make this project my own. For size reasons--and, it just makes sense--this is actually going to be a mod of the Logitech Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 iPod speakers. Here is the victim:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01951.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01952.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01953.jpg

Here is the basic design so far:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/PortalRadioFront2.jpg

I know this design has no antenna or control knob, but these will be added later. At first the width was 19", but that made the footprint WAY too big for me. This design will probably go through some changes as functionality develops. The dock itself will be hidden inside, behind the front panel. Although I plan to locate the controls on the back of the unit (on/off, shuffle, repeat, volume, etc.), the reason for this is twofold: A) The ribbon cable, unless I find a replacement, needs to be close to the main board (it's not very long) and B) it will help stay as close to the original look as possible. The radio will be lit by a combination of turquoise EL wire and/or LEDs.

Anyhow, on to the destruction. Logitech was kind enough to show how to dismantle their speakers in order to dispose of the 10-hour battery once it no longer functions. It's not replaceable, but I don't see this as a problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01955.jpg

Screws revealed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01956.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01957.jpg

Back removed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01958.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01959.jpg

Close-up of the backside of the iPod dock, DC power and audio in jacks:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01960.jpg

Under side of main board:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01961.jpg

Components gutted... FINALLY! As you can see, the base speakers have no wire connections and are driven by the reverb of the other speakers. Not being an audio fancy-pants, I didn't know this, so this plays a part in the final design. I'm thinking of housing them in 1/8" hardboard.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01962.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01963.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01964.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01965.jpg

I have more pictures I will upload later, but the game is afoot. I will post questions in separate threads (if necessary) so as to keep the work log clean, but please, feel free to add any input. Cheers!

[blueonblack]

Looks like quite a project, you're in for some serious work. I love the concept, keep at it. (Here, have some rep for the design, too.)

[Luke122]

Components gutted... FINALLY! As you can see, the base speakers have no wire connections and are driven by the reverb of the other speakers. Not being an audio fancy-pants, I didn't know this, so this plays a part in the final design. I'm thinking of housing them in 1/8" hardboard.


Those are passive radiators, and you should try to incorporate them into your final build, as they will add a bit more low end to your audio output. Plus they look cool.

1/8" would probably work, but go with thicker if you can (weight will climb pretty quick with thicker stuff). A thicker housing can help give better sound from the speakers too.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Glad to see this coming together! Subscribed.

[SXRguyinMA]

this should be neat +rep for the design so far, and I 2nd keeping the heatsink :up:

[DonT-FeaR]

wow.... this is gunna be cool... cant wait to see how this comes out

[rendermandan]

Glad to see you finally started this!. +rep

[985323]

This looks awsome, +rep for Portal

[nevermind1534]

I'm glad to see this project get started +rep

[Dash20]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. As I solve each little "speed bump" in the design, I get that much more stoked about this project, and you all play a big part in that.


Those are passive radiators, and you should try to incorporate them into your final build, as they will add a bit more low end to your audio output. Plus they look cool.

1/8" would probably work, but go with thicker if you can (weight will climb pretty quick with thicker stuff). A thicker housing can help give better sound from the speakers too.

Noice, thanks for the tip! I only chose the 1/8" because I'm actually using it to build the skeleton for the housing (that's today!), so I figure now I'll either double up or buy more if I run out. I'm not too concerned about weight, so I should be good there.

Anyhow, nothing too exciting here, but progress nonetheless. I went to Active Surplus the other day in Toronto... anyone who's been there knows it stimulates a nerd-rection for all. :D Apparently though, my needs are still too specific for them almost every time I go, so I did not end up leaving with my longer ribbon cable. More on that as it develops.

Here's the speakers cut. I think I'm well past the refund point! I tried desoldering them at first and after my iron not being hot enough, I brain farted and realized how much easier/better it would be to just cut them. Here's hoping the speakers still work when I put it all back together. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01990.jpg

Here's a mock-up of the base for sizing purposes. The black line is roughly where the front panel will be.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01991.jpg

After more cutting, the components have more freedom:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01992.jpg

Here's the dock after cutting off the speaker grills with my Dremel. Still some trimming to do, but it's small enough for sizing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01993.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01994.jpg

Laying out the dock and radiators for sizing:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01997.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01998.jpg

Male/female DC plugs. Since the Portal radio is deeper than the original dock, I have to make an extension for the power jack and audio-in jack. Some of you may remember my plan to desolder the original jacks and move them back, but I found that two invasive for me... and my desoldering skills kind of suck at the moment, so... :rolleyes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TheDashMan/Portal%20Radio/DSC01996.jpg

Anyhow, back to work. :)

[Luke122]

Any updates on this project?

[tk421storm]

Yeah, I'd love to see more.

[Datech]

Looks great Dash. FYI, someone submitted the first page to StumbleUpon. I thought my links were messed up when I hit Stumble and ended up on TBCS. If you keep this going it will probably get a ton of page views.

[TheGreatSatan]

Very cool. Looks like something Slipperyskip would do

[Dash20]

Hi guys,

Wow, has it been this long? Contrary to belief, this project is not dead... just very slow-going due to the day job, mostly (even thought I work nights :b). Looks like my subscription to this thread isn't quite working. No new pictures so far, but I'm working on the shell right now, which is basically an MDF skeleton with a plaster bandage shell. Over that, I hope to make a fiberglass shell. I hope to have more pictures soon.

Happy modding to the rest of you! :)

[madd0ct0r]

http://1.2.3.12/bmi/www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/images/smilies/postpics%5B1%5D.gif

More pics at least. The underlying frame of speakers is important after all.

[flauzus]

You have a nice concept Dash, I agree, too many people do the weighted companion cube, so I made a duplicate of this radio for my kids to take to Otakon last weekend.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1749/otakon.jpg

All this radio does is loop the music from the game. Your project is a lot more versatile and ambitious. I look forward to seeing it's completion.

You may want to check out how I made my shell.

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19738