Old TV tuners - useful for a wide range VHF receiver (video) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: vk3yedotcom
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2022, 07:19:52 pm
content: Here in Australia we were unfortunate enough to have TV channels very close to the 6m and 2m amateur band.That created all sorts of problems when those channels were used. Luckily they aren't today.The silver lining is that old TV tuners can be used for reception of amateur and adjacent frequencies in conjunction with a tunable IF receiver in the 20 - 60 MHz range.Here's some demonstrations:

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2022, 03:46:08 am
content: an interesting project for its time.I have tryed various TV tuner receiver cans, as a VHF UHF voltage controlled tuner, step down receiver feeding a TA2003P radio ic set-up for 40MHz 90MHzbut digital modes have killed the project for me.

author: MathWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 03:09:02 am
content: I have a little box of the RF front end's from TV/VCR's. They looked nice and are shielded so some day I hope to use them for something.1 is the old style TV tuner from the 1960's. Even if the frequency ranges are no use to me, someday I might replace the components for lower freq circuits, in some RF project that needs a big sturdy tuning selector.

author: JoeyG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 03:17:57 am
content: Tuner modules are still availablehttps://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=Philips+tuner+module&_sacat=0Example data sheethttps://tvsat.com.pl/PDF/C/cdm1300l_ph.pdf

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 05:35:18 am
content: It's interesting if you have a tuner around that you want to repurpose, but otherwise analog scanner receivers are plentiful and easy to find and they are a lot more versatile. I have a Radio Shack Pro-2004 and a Pro-2006 that I use almost daily.

author: 9aplus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 08:16:27 pm
content: Couple years ago the TV tuners with separated RF preamp can, was on sale in my localelectronic shop... Tempted to try, purchased two for approx value of 5$One is still in use from time to time, with N connectors attached.Useful gain ends on 1,1 GHz...

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2022, 08:45:14 pm
content: An interesting obsolete tuner, still available from surplus houses, is the Mallory "Inducto tuner", which has continuous tuning over the VHF TV band.https://fairradio.com/product/545t001/https://fairradio.com/product/458u246/https://fairradio.com/product/456c452/I'm not sure, but the inductors may be flat spirals that wind up with rotation.Has anyone tried using these for VHF receivers?

author: vk3yedotcom
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2022, 07:04:06 pm
content: Follow-up video, using a crude crystal set type detector & audio amp.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2022, 08:11:19 pm
content: Quote from: vk3yedotcom on November 28, 2022, 07:04:06 pmif you can get i2c and arduino most TV tuner cans be hacked.then your get the 35Mhz output in to the receiver of your choice.however the old TV turret tuners as shown in the video are hard to find nowadays.most I find are 1990s i2c type contraled TV tuner cans on a crt TV motherboards.I was slightly disappointed given the effort, time I put into this hack.also as seen in the video most of the time your just getting FM broadcasting.update-figure out this lotcan=case ground & ant-in is obviousIF intermediate frequency 25 35MHzBMAFCBL lowAGC automatic gain controlBH highBTBUtwo other tuners one is PLLif anyone is interestedall you need to know here-https://www.maximus-randd.com/tv-tuner-history-pt1.htmltv tuner history from 1945 to the 1990s 2000's

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2022, 08:01:22 am
content: anyone seeking cheap and plentiful 20pF variable RF capacitors for a DIY regenerative receiverif you got old clock radios or other analog AM-FM parts at hand.443DF Model 20 & 270pF shaft type radio 2x dual variable capacitor for analog AM-FM broadcast receivers.the FM side has two 20pF variable capacitors , each has its own trimmer capacitor.extending knob axle can be done with a 2mm screw & hollow round tubing.

author: vk3yedotcom
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2022, 02:32:44 am
content: Part 3 - with a superregen tunable IF

author: stellavox
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 26, 2023, 03:01:08 pm
content: Mallory Inductuners were used on many early surveillance receivers made by Watkins Johnson and others in the "mechanical tuning age", because they could cover a wide tuning range. Some receivers had 4 or 5 gangs for pretty good front-end selectivity.