Radios and Driving

[AngliaGT]

The TR6 hasn't had the radio in it since shortly
after I bought it.The Cortina has an AM radio (kind of
cool short/wide '60's style).Since we don't have anything
decent to listen to on AM I almost never never turn it on.
Besides,it's hard to hear over the sound of the engine.
The rest of the cars are mainly appliances,so the radio
is a distaction from boredom.

- Doug

 

[aerog]

I don't listen to the radio very much except in the mornings or on long trips. If I'm with someone the radio usually stays off... but my goodness, listening to the radio in the background is nothing compared to the full blown HF ham radio station I had in my Explorer. All HF bands (except 160meters), including CW (aka morse code), UHF, and VHF. Typically used it just on the open (and relatively unpopulated) highways in West VA, VA, NC, and KY.

Golly, hope the flames are tame /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[GregW]

Besides,it's hard to hear over the sound of the engine.
- Doug

Time to get some amps installed then! Maybe a second alternator while yer at it.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Music keeps me calm and from a road rage state of mind, especially in the winter around here when the roads are full of "white plates" getting in my way



mark

 

[TR6oldtimer]

With the top down, no radio. With the top up radio off at 60 mph (might still be on but can no longer hear it). With the hardtop on so is the radio.

That's as I remember it, because the TR6 has not been on the road for over 12 or so years. But I'll get back to you on my radio use in the 6 in the next couple of years.

 

[DrEntropy]

Music keeps me calm and from a road rage state of mind, especially in the winter around here when the roads are full of "white plates" getting in my way

I will admit: during the winter of '78 while driving thru the snows in the GTV going to a "mill rat" job, I had Jimmy Buffett tapes on to keep my sanity. To THAT I can relate.

 

[drooartz]

On the boredom scale, I drive a Hyundai Accent; enough said. Radio works well, though. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

When I've not been in between motorcycles, I've gone all summer riding to work and never miss the radio. I go either way, but it's nice to have the tunes available when required -- I've been known to learn songs in my car on the way to gigs as well.

 

[Steve]

Steve, if I had the selection of entertaining cars that you have to choose from, I don't suppose I'd listen to the radio much either. Likewise, with the roads out there. They are more than entertaining enough.

But here I am in the flatlands, where the biggest mountain in the state is probably all of eighty feet high. Straight roads with no interesting features or landmarks. Automatic tranny, miserable weather.

Without music I would go insane!

 

[DrEntropy]

But here I am in the flatlands, where the biggest mountain in the state is probably all of eighty feet high. Straight roads with no interesting features or landmarks. Automatic tranny, miserable weather.

Without music I would go insane!

Sounds a lot like Florida... except for the miserable weather bit.

 

[Basil]

I can tell you that when I finally get my Spitfire, with its headers and Monza exhaust, Dual Weber's and Kent cam back on the road, I won't be listening to much radio - in fact I'll probably drive with ear plugs!

 

[vping]

I opted not to have on in the GT. I like to listen to all the mechanicals and make sure she's running right. The '74 has one but I rarely use it as it sounds like crud. 'sides I like to listen to the sound of the Peco when I wind her out!

 

[Basil]

I opted not to have on in the GT. I like to listen to all the mechanicals and make sure she's running right. The '74 has one but I rarely use it as it sounds like crud. 'sides I like to listen to the sound of the Peco when I wind her out!

I have one for the Spit and will probably put it in to fill the hole - but there is almost no point in trying to listen to it while driving.

 

[Rob_P]

I have had my share of cars with no radio. if i know i will be hitting a tough stretch of road pretty hard (and i don't really do this anymore) then I would happily turn the music off.

But for me, I love the top down, wind in my hair and just cruising along with some good tunes. I don't even need a place to go, can just drive along all day.

I guess that's why i have the direct ipod plug in AND the xm radio hooked up in the B!

Rob

but when i had 2 wheelers, never even missed the tunes.

 

[GregW]

There's always mood setting music (Lou Rawles) for watching the submarine races.

 

[terriphill]

My Midget had a hole and thanks to the generosity of a certain forum member, I was able to fill it with a period AM/FM radio. Looks great. I actually ran the speaker wire, but never had the guts to cut holes behind the seats to mount them. I found a 4" speaker that I can fit behind the speaker front, but I've never gotten around to hooking it up either. Maybe, I just like the sound of the motor and I feel more in tune with the traffic around me when I can hear it. So, no tunes in the Midget.

 

[DNK]

I like music and I also like to listen to my favorite talk shows. Why? I don't really know...probably the same reason I always need something to read when I'm "taking care of business."

Boss ,your at it again!

 

[Nunyas]

My MGB was the first car I ever had that did not have a working radio in it. For driving around town, I believe the lack of a radio lead to me eventually becoming less patient with the other drivers on the road, particularly inattentive ones. I can remember driving in the same type of traffic conditions with my previous car and the same bone headed maneuvers didn't bother me nearly as much. Then again, I tend to listen to Dave Matthews Band and the like... stuff that usually helps me relax...

However, driving the back roads in the mountains, I found the lack of a radio allowed me to concentrate on the road, car, and tune my ears to listening to the engine, tires, transmission and suspension. After having experienced some of the drives I've had in my MGB without a radio, there is no way I'd ever do those types of drives again with one on.

There is one situation where I can't imagine driving without a radio. The drive I made from Ft Walton Beach, FL to Tampa Bay, FL. I'm convinced that it is impossible to make that drive entirely on the interstates without a radio. Naturally, you can do the drive without getting on the interstates, but it would take a LOT longer to do it. Come to think of it, I can't imagine driving on ANY long straight roads for hours on end without a radio...

 

[AweMan]

The ONLY vehicle I listen to the radio in is my MotorHome, the reason is you are sitting right on top of the engine. The 8 bladed fan is loud and annoying. You can`t hear much else anyway!
I do have an AM, FM, CD .mp3 player in it and my truck. I seldome listen to the truck player unless i`m parked, camping, or working in the yard.

P.S. I have tried several other fan, clutch fan combinations in the M.H. NO CIGAR they make it run HOT!

 

[Steve_S]

I drove an 18' box truck from LA to Las Vegas once. My co-pilot was climbing the walls because I forbid the radio from being played. On the way back I had to let him have his way so we turned it on. It was like a druggie finally getting that much-needed fix.

 

[bugimike]

Besides, when driving an LBC one has to be "in-tune" with every little squeak and groan the car makes just to have the peace of mind that one will actually make the destination. An LBC provides a "symphony" of noises to accompany one on any drive, short or long, and it is always "mood music" (what you hear will determine how you feel about the drive, whether purrfect or panic)!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif