[AI2V]

Your 116 is in good hands with Mr. Ramirez. The 116's of all types are exceptional radios- and quite expensive in their day.

The beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) is used so that a listener can hear Morse code transmissions, principally from ham radio operators. If you don't plan on becoming a ham radio operator, the dits and dahs will be very boring. The BFO is also used to allow you to hear voice communications also principally of ham radio. Generally speaking it wouldn't be worth the trouble to introduce a BFO into the circuitry of a 116.

To make your 116 play with the modern audio toys you will need an external signal source and AM modulator. They are readily available on the Internet but the name escapes me. Be advised that the audio bandwidth of the 116 will be in the area of 5KHz- it will not be the same fidelity as an FM signal or most audio equipment. AM broadcasts are strictly limited to 6KHz so there was never a reason to build an AM receiver with anything wider than 6KHz. If your hearing is lousy like mine, it won't make much difference.