My slimline G.E. 3-5287 mini boombox from the early '80s has an "AUX" and microphone inputs.Since its not possible to feed a turntables output into an AUX in,what typically was that input used for many years ago?Of course today we have the need to input digital media,MP3s,portable CD players,MDiscs perhaps.The only thing I can think of might be tape to tape dubbing.This would explain at least in part why the AUX inputs disappeared from boomboxes in the late '80s.Many boxes by then had dual tape decks.Can anyone think of another potential use for AUX inputs back in the early '80s?That was before MP3,MDisc,and even CD.

All I can think of is 8 Track tapes. It was a dead/dying format commercially by then, maybe that was a big selling point for some units to be able to convert your old 8 Track collection over to the superior compact cassette?



Rock On.

Duplication of open reel tape to cassette (for use in the car, etc.)?
Connecting a receiver with an external antenna when indoor reception is poor?
er... radiogram??

Remember, CD came along in 1982.

All the above answers are correct. What made the 80's boxes so great was that before we had the "executive systems" of today, the "loaded" boombox basically served as the mini-system for an office, dorm or apartment. If anyone saw the Technics SA-C05 with the sub that was on ebay recently, or better yet, the RX-7XXX series with optional rack, you get my drift.

The whole idea behind mini's having these was media sharing much like you can with Zune's, etc. with the exception that you had to have a cord. Imagine your buddy has a tape the you think is awsome, he plugs his end into the headphone out 1/8" you take the RCA side and plug into your AUX. Five minutes later, you have the song, or if you have all day, a copy of the tape.

Back then every concept was viable ( built in keyboards!?!?) and if they thought that the idea of hooking up another cassette (or in some instances, a turtable) to a mini was marketable, they did it. Ah, the glory years...

Gluecifer-That's a real good point about 8 tracks.I can see that as having been a real selling point.I'll bet the compact cassette seemed like a miracle of technology when it first came out.

DM4U-Here it is.A real classic type mini as it is loud and silver colored.So many of these types had a single "TONE" control instead of separate bass and treble pots as does this G.E..Aux inputs are one of the most appreciated features as they are just as important for today if not more so.It took manufacturers way too long to realize the renewed interest in an Aux-in on modern portables.Unlike the classic L &R RCA jacks,these days it usually appears as a stereo headphone jack/mini jack style input.

Isolator-Funny you should mention using a home stereo tuner.I've done this recently and am astounded at the difference in the sensitivity to pull in stations.Though a good use for aux jacks,I would doubt that manufacturers would have envisioned this setup.It would be like them saying the radio portion of their box was poorly designed.

As for CD,I'm thinking the new technology was pretty expensive until around 1985 which the boombox museum page sites as the death year for the classics.Though also a great use,wouldn't a CD player cost as much as a higher end boombox back then?Besides my 3-5287 was made in 1981 if I understand G.E.s date code correctly.This suggests that CD was not a consideration especially for a lower end of the line model such as this.

Oldskool-I always look forward to your posts.Your obviously "livin' it" when it comes to this hobby.As for your scenario,it really takes me back.I'm feeling the excitement again!

It wasent really used for anything in particular.
The AUX or auxiliary.
AUX input became standard on stereo amplifiers.
So it was used on boomboxes too.
Was a good selling point to.

Sence a boombox is a tape recorder too
like a reel to reel tape machine.
You should be able to connect it to anything.

Taping from a VCR could be done too.
Connected to the tape-out on a stereo amplifier you can record your records.

yeh, when you consider the b-box as a tape deck rather than a system in itself, it all begins to make sense...