Thursday 3 March 2011

CRYSTAL TESTER

This circuit will test crystals from 1MHz to 30MHz.  When the crystal oscillates, the output will pass through the 1n capacitor to the two diodes. These will charge the 4n7 and turn on the second transistor. This will cause the LED to illuminate.

XtalTester

Simple circuit helps high-power VHF transceivers cool themselves

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Some compact, high-power VHF transceivers get very hot when transmitting and can benefit from forced-air cooling. The simple circuit shown in Fig helps such radios cool themselves. It senses RF leakage from coaxial cable and turns on a cooling fan whenever the radio is transmitting.

Inductor Ll consists of 10 turns of insulated hookup wire-H2O to 24-wrapped tightly around the coax and taped into place. You need not alter the coax in any way. (Although my test circuit worked well with 10turns, your version may work better with more or less turns. You can optimize Ll by connecting a voltmeter across Rl and adjusting Ll for a peak read ing while transmitting.) Dl rectifies the signal. Cl filters the resulting de, which is applied to Ql's base to turn QI on. RI keeps QI turned off during no-drive periods by pulling Ql's base to ground.

The circuit has other uses. For instance, it could drive a TRANSMITTER ON indicator to warn you that your mobile mike is jammed between your car's seats with its push-to-talk button held down. Or, combined with a timer, it could serve as part of a transmitter-time-out warning circuit.

Author - Jay F. Hamlin, WB6HBS

Modulation Transformer for QRP AM transmitter projects

One the stumbling block for QRP enthusiasts, interested in building AM transmitter related projects is need of modulation transformer. I have simple solution for this. You can use audio output transformer from old radio receivers.

modulation-transformer

Wayne Burdicks modified Neophyte receiver for shortwave reception

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The modification described here provides coverage of 6O·meter tropical broadcasting (4750-4995 and 5005-5060 kHz), the standard-frequency-and-time allocation at 4995-5005 kHz, 49-meter international broadcasting (5950-6200 kHz) and frequencies used by the aeronautical mobile, maritime mobile and fixed services between 4520 and 6250 kHz.

Wayne Burdick put his Neophyte receiver on 15 m and modified its audio response for better CW reception as shown here. The parts associated with U1's pins 6 and 7 serve as frequency-determining and feedback elements in U1's local-oscillator subcircuit; C1,C2, RFC1 and RFC2 reduce the receiver's audio response above 1 kHz; and R1 and C3 reduce hiss by decreasing U2's response at higher audio frequencies.

T1's secondary winding consists of 26 turns of #24 enameled wire on a T~50-6 toroidal core; the primary is 2 turns of #24 enameled wire over the secondary'S pin 2 end. l1 consists of 26 turns of #24 wire on a T-SO-6 toroidal powdered-iron core; RFC1 and RFC2 are Mouser Electronics 43LJ4l0 chokes. All electrolytic capacitors are 16 V.

See Fig and Table,. C21, a 220-pF capacitor, and S2, an SPST toggle switch are new components. S2, BAND, switches C21 in parallel with the original Neophyte's ClO to select added "low-band" option.

Simple QRP Transmitter

Qrp-transmitter

The figure shows very simple QRP transmitter for novice ham operators.The circuit misses morse key or modulation input. You can easily modified this circuit both for CW and AM operation.

Simple RF Crystal Tester

XtalTester

This circuit will test crystals from 1MHz to 30MHz.  When the crystal oscillates, the output will pass through the 1n capacitor to the two diodes. These will charge the 4n7 and turn on the second transistor. This will cause the LED to illuminate.

RF probe

rf-probe

RF  probes are  simple just  a diode, capacitor and  usually a resistor as well and  are  quite useful in homebrewing. The  output  from  the junction  of  the diode and capacitor is a DC voltage equal to  the peak voltage of  the signal applied But the usual way of  refemng to AC and RF  voltages is by the RMS  value, which is 0.707 times the  peak value. We could connect a voltmeter to this point and  read the peak value, then multiply by 0.707 but it's simpler to use the resistor. It  forms a voltage divider in  conjunction with  the input impedance of  the meter such that the output  is  approximately 0.707  of the peak,and thus the numbers on  the meter correspond directly to RMS witb no conversion needed.

A simple low power HF CW oscillator transmitter

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A simple low power HF CW oscillator  transmitter is shown schematically in Fig. By using a crystal-controlled oscillator, we gain frequency accuracy and stability. This transmitter would actually work and generate a few mW of RF  power at the crystal frequency.

Green Powered Ultra low power QRP Transmitter

QRP-TX

Believe or not, the above circuit shows very low power QRP CW transmitter which  emitts just 3 milliwatts. This circuit can be powered with 1.5v button cells or natural power sources like lemon,potato etc.

Simple Variable BFO for CW and SSB reception

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The figure shows a simple variable beat frequency oscillator to resolve CW and SSB signals. L1  & L2 is centre tapped 300uH Inductor coil.The circuit runs on 1.5 v.

Active Antenna using Operational Amplifier

active-antenna

 

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The circuit shows active antenna using operational amplifier OP27 or LT1252. Both are having cut-off frequency of 100mhz.

Simple Morse Oscillator

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The figure shows simple morse oscillator circuit for beginners, built around two 2N3904s.

Active Reverse Polarity Protection For your Rig

reverse-polarity

This Circuit provides simple reverse polarity protection for your rig. It improves your battery life since power droploss and voltage drop are less.

Simple Speech Processor for SSB rig

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The given circuit shows a simple speech processor for SSB rigs.

Some Rules on VFO Stability

Shortened  list of VFO  rules:

1) Keep RF power output  to  a minimum. (Depend on subsequent stages to build it up--WA8MCQ)
2)  Feedback to maintain  oscillation should he minimized.
3)  Shield the Ls and C's of  the VFO tank components.
4) DC supply instability and ripple should he minimized.
5)  Decouple DC coming into the oscillator carefully.
6)  Lightly couple  the  oscillator to the buffer.
7)  The huffer  stage should have  constantinput impedance.
8)  The  huffer  stage  should have  low reverse gain.

9)  The  fT specification  of  the oscillator device should be  at  least 20 times  the operating  frequency.
10) There should he a means of stabilizing oscillator amplitude.
11) Use  low-temperature coefficient, low loss  caps  such  as  NPO,  silver-mica, polystyrene.
12) Use parallel caps where RF current is high.
13) Use  good quality  air  variables:  brass plates, double-end bearings.
14) Use a solid air-wound coil on a ceramic, glass or plastic form.
15) Use Q-dope on home-made coils.
16) For coils with slugs, use low-temperature coefficient iron-powder material.
17) Keep slug penetration into the coil to a minimum.

18) Inductors  and  capacitors  in the VFO tank shouldn't  encounter any airflow.
19) Keep stray inductance and capacitance low:  short  lead  length, wide  ground return path  (big  ground plane),  no
double-sided PC board construction.
20) Reduce mechanical vibration:  mount all critical  components securely; wiring should  be  solid, heavy gauge wire.

RF Dummy Load

dummy-load

The figure shows a simple dummy load circuit eight 100 ohm resistors.

dummyload

Low-cost DIY Short-wave transmitter

TRANSMITTER

 

This low-cost short-wave transmitter is tunable from 10 to 15 MHz with the help of ½J gang condenser VC1, which determines the carrier frequency of the transmitter in conjunction with inductor L1. The frequency trimming can be done with VC2. The carrier is amplified by transistor T4 and coupled to RF amplifier transistor T1 (BD677) through transformerX1*.

The transmitter does not use any modulator transformer. The audio output from condenser MIC is preamplified by transistor T3 (BC548).The audio output from T3 is further amplified by transistor T2 (BD139), which modulates the RF amplifier built around transistor T1 by varying the current through it in accordance with the audio signal’s amplitude.RFC1 is used to block the carrier RF signal from transistor T2 and the power supply.

The modulated RF is coupled to the antenna via capacitor C9. For antenna, one can use a 0.5m long telescopic aerial. Details of
RF choke, inductor L1 and coupling  transformer are given in the figure.

Crystal controlled AM transmitter

amtx

Sorry for spanish text in circuit.

For modulation transformer you can use audio output transformer in transistor radio receivers.

Two Transistor Marsh Transmitter for 80M/40M Bands

oscillator

 

 

two-transistor-transmitter

This can be adopted for AM operations too.

CW / AM TRANSMITTER

The circuit is almost ridiculously simple, and construction is even simpler. It is basically a single transistor oscillator with a very low output impedance, suitable for driving the base of another transitor amplifier stage.

cw-am_01

The oscillator uses a single coil and crystal. The coil is tuned to the output frequency, which may correspond to the crystal frequency, or a harmonic, for example you my like to use:

The above table does NOT contain rules. You may have a 3.5MHz CW crystal, but there is no reason why you cannot tune the oscillator to 7MHz. It will work with the fundamental, 2nd harmonic, 3rd and 5th. The output power will reduce at higher harmonics and frequencies are chosen.

The power amplifier is quite straight-forward. The amplifier is biased as a linear amplifier with the collector load matching the 200 Ohms collector impedance to 50 Ohms with T2. L1 and L2 plus the three capacitors for an output low-pass filter.

Modulation is applied to the base of TR2. The MOD link is removed and pin 2 is varied from 0vDC to 12vDC to vary the TX output power from zero to full power. Pins 1 and 2 may therefore be coupled directly to a morse key and you have an HF bands QRP CW transmitter. The capacitor across the 10K resistor will also adjust the keying envelope. Leave it at 1n0 for radio control use, but increase it to 100nF for good morse. On the band this transmitter sounds surprisingly clean and well formed. Since the oscillator is continuously running, there is absolutely no chirp. Adjusting the tuning of T1 will adjust the frequency by a couple of KHz.

SP1 CW Transmitter

transmitter

Source – SPRAT Issue 132.

Acorn Valve Transmitter

acorn-valve transmitter

Dual Variable Ceramic Resonator Oscillator

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VHF AERIAL AMPLIFIER

 

VHF-Amplifier


This amplifier circuit can be used to amplify VHF television signals. The gain is between 5dB and 28dB. 300ohm twin feeder can be used for the In/Out leads.

G0/NO GO Crystal Tester

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This circuit has a LED which indicates GO/NO GO Status of crystals.

New Role for an old pen

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One Transistor Transmitter for QRP operation

am-transmitter1

It is one transistor transmitter based on crystal.It uses primary of shortwave oscillator coil as tank coil. Shortwave osc coil and variable capacitor can be salvaged from old shortwave radio.

QRP 50 Ohms Dummy Load

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28Mhz CW Transmitter

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Simple Zener Tester

zener tester

Simple RF Fired CW Monitor

555

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Simple NE602 DSB Transmitter

DSB

 

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No Cost Field Strength meter

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Using multimeter on AC ranges grounding the negative lead and raising positive as antenna makes simple Field strength meter.

Active antenna for shortwave reception

active-antenna

The active antenna is a two stage amplifier using FET followed by bipolar transistor.The FET offers high impedence to a small antenna.For TR1 you can use MPF102 or 2N3819.

Ceramic Resonator VFO

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Universal VFO for QRPers

universal-vfo

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