As seen in my previous post, my first radio's functionality wasn't looking promising. About a year later I came across another D8443 in much better, barely used condition. In this case, the gears were definitely the problem, relatively clean interior, outside of digging out broken orange gear bits. In between this new box, I also picked up a D8300 (87) clean dual-cassette for $20. It worked for a short while before I tried out the continuous play feature and it's gears broke. But back to the newer #2 D8443... I had taken apart the previous box enough that I knew what to look for.... so replaced gears, adjusted head, new bands all-around (even a working tape counter). I have to say, this radio sounds much louder than my JVC PC-X100 and definitely the D8300.
Some things left to do...
Adjust the speed. it seems a hair bit slow
fix or find the battery cover, due to two of the three tabs need to be replace (though I might craft something)
possibly look at adapting for rechargeable
overall, lube, oil, grease whatever it needs to extend its life ...
My reason behind all of this? I have a massive tape cassette collection that started as a teen. Each week I would purchased 1-3 new releases. In the 90s I worked as an artist with a rock magazine in Boston and would routinely get "promotional only" new release tapes as well as some local demos that were being submitted for review. These tapes were played in radios, walkman, car stereos until each were phased out by mp3s or Napster. My digital collections had none of the respect that the physical records and tapes had (not a CD fan)...
So, for over 30 and 40 years, having what I believe is "The music of my time" available to play, but not being able to hear it the way I know it should sound, has fueled my desire to bring this back, resurrect these experiences.
I do thank/blame what happened in 2020 to have me recognize what it is to chase, find and respect what brings us passion. This isn't about being an 80s teen or a 70s kid. I think this is universal.
I am also thankful I didn't fall in love with 8-Tracks, BETA/VHS tapes, and Laser Disc players... Whatever the passion, chase, sometimes it's not the journey story but the end that matters most.
Thanks to all that encouraged my adventure and Thank you BoomBoxery for being such a great source!
Some things left to do...
Adjust the speed. it seems a hair bit slow
fix or find the battery cover, due to two of the three tabs need to be replace (though I might craft something)
possibly look at adapting for rechargeable
overall, lube, oil, grease whatever it needs to extend its life ...
My reason behind all of this? I have a massive tape cassette collection that started as a teen. Each week I would purchased 1-3 new releases. In the 90s I worked as an artist with a rock magazine in Boston and would routinely get "promotional only" new release tapes as well as some local demos that were being submitted for review. These tapes were played in radios, walkman, car stereos until each were phased out by mp3s or Napster. My digital collections had none of the respect that the physical records and tapes had (not a CD fan)...
So, for over 30 and 40 years, having what I believe is "The music of my time" available to play, but not being able to hear it the way I know it should sound, has fueled my desire to bring this back, resurrect these experiences.
I do thank/blame what happened in 2020 to have me recognize what it is to chase, find and respect what brings us passion. This isn't about being an 80s teen or a 70s kid. I think this is universal.
I am also thankful I didn't fall in love with 8-Tracks, BETA/VHS tapes, and Laser Disc players... Whatever the passion, chase, sometimes it's not the journey story but the end that matters most.
Thanks to all that encouraged my adventure and Thank you BoomBoxery for being such a great source!
