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Thrift shop find (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 weeks ago by to c/electronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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Midland Model 74-102. Manufactured February 1989. I found this in a thrift shop yesterday. It had a 9V battery so I gave the dial a turn, and sure enough, it still works!

I can't justify the cost of a new weather radio, but this guy only ran me four bucks. Now I need to get my hands on a 12 volt barrel jack power supply.

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[–] 13 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

First thought: Get a USB-C to barrel jack adapter that triggers to 12V. And Ikea sells great USB-C power supplies that support 12V operation and cost only 4€ (in Germany) :)

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    • [–] 7 points 2 weeks ago* (2 children)

    No way! We had one of those when I was a kid! 😆

    It kinda started a thing for my dad, as he then got an analog barometer, started keeping a log, built and installed an array on the roof... until he got the eyebrow from Mom. 🤣

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  • [–] [S] 7 points 2 weeks ago* (1 child)

    You're never gonna believe this, but I also have an analog barometer! I keep this on my wall at work. I found it at an antique shop for $15 a few years ago. It's beautiful, ornate, and functional.

    I also have a clock with an analog thermometer and hygrometer. They're fun to have. It's also nice to verify that I'm not going crazy when I think it's too warm in this place. My ideal indoor room runs about 68°. Yes, my friends and colleagues think I'm crazy.

    I've been a total weather nerd since I was a little boy.

    I also admit Honda may be a little over-represented on my racetrack.

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    • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    Does anything still broadcast to the frequencies it listens to? I don't know which services are still around or where these days.

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    • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

    Definitely need to swap over to some other power source, as 9v battery will cost more than the unit!

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

    There are 9V Batteries you can recharge from usb-c. Maybe an option.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

    I think your power supply idea is great.

    I probably have 50 different power supplies from old devices. I keep them in a box, each one is labelled with output voltage and current. Use them for projects all the time.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    Just double check the polarity!

    I’ve had at least one fro the 90s that was shell + pin - opposite from most.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 2 weeks ago*

    The pin is positive on this guy. I just dug up an old power supply that came with a modem I'm not using anymore out of my box of random electronic whirlydoos. The voltage and polarity are both correct, and the jack fits the port. We're totally in business!

    Oh, the wife is gonna hate this thing when there's a tornado in town at 3AM. Here's the alert tone. Check the volume on your headphones first.

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