ipod, in this case a nano
with 5 v 1 amp switching power adaptor with a usb out, a usb wall charger I think it is.
lead from it to a usb splitter (1 to 4 in my case because that was cheapest)
...the above is to enable to plug in powered speakers and the pod, however I found that non powered speakers in a good box that projects sound is sufficient, mum doesn't like loud music)
a volume thing, I understand they are called 'pots' 3dcq-qvz1201-005-100k(ohm)bx2 is printed on the side of this one.
2 speakers. One may be just as good or better in some ways, simpler and emulates mono.
Look around for a heavyish box that resembles an old radio. Funnily enough I think an old wooden bread box might do.
plug the speakers into a female adaptor and run a lead from it to the pot. Talk someone savvy to solder the right leads onto the pot including a lead to a male plug to go into the ipod.
Get a nice old fashioned knob for the volume control.
Drill a hole in the box and mount the volume control. Before attaching the knob, make a radio like fascia, having cut or drilled holes for the speaker sound.
Inside, mount the bits (maybe double sided tape. cut a notch in the back to let out the cable to the wall charger. Plug the right thing into the right thing
The volume will only turn volume up, or down to silent, like turning on and off. The nano holds more than a days worth of recordings and is always on. Doesn't matter, all the user has to worry about is turning the knob. No reason to know anything more. As it's continually looping (random setting perhaps) whenever it's 'turned on' theres likely to be something familiar but not necessarily repetitive.
One could load classical, 40's talk shows, whatever, on the ipod.
None needs be wiser which is just what suits. Mum doesn't need to worry herself about the innards. It looks like radio, sounds like one, presto, it's a radio. with one knob that 'tunes in'.
