Common and specialty parts needed for homebrew radio RF ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: lordvader88
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2018, 07:22:02 pm
content: I finally made a 2 transistor regenerative receiver and it worked. I was looking at the output on the scope before I dug up a earphone and I thought it sure looked like audio being modulated and it sure was. I learned the basic saturation model for BJTs in the process and know some basics of AC loop analysis of oscillators.I'm not into SMD scale , or software defined radio yet.So for hobby level AM radio and up to say VHF (just listening btw, no plans to transmit anything),, Some things I have already, more or less for lower end RF stuff isS9018 BJTBF199 BJTsome VHF/UHF BJT2n5485 Nch JFETJ112 "J176 Pch JFETLM7555 timer1N34A Germanium diodes1N60only 2-3 variactor diodesfast Schottky diodesassorted 2 pin quartz crystalsfew random ceramic oscillators and filterspico/nano ceramic'ssome NPO ceramic caps (had them for years, I just thought they old ugly '60s era caps)30pF cermat trimmer caps2-3 6pin variable cap3 3pin vari-caps1uH-4.7mH resistor style leaded inductorsassorted inductors from 1990-2010 TVs/radios/etchardly any canned tuned RF transformers, LC tanks, that I know work or are marked. I have a few I need to fix the wires back onto.I do have some 4 pin inductor forms w/adj. cores I can make tiny tiny transformers on.1cm green, yellow ferrite rings (ebay cheap so no idea what they are tho)10cm ferrite rods.26AWG and 36AGW magnetic wirecable TV coaxPlenty to keep busy but it takes months for stuff to get here so I want it before I need it.Some things I don't have isOPAMPS for active filters above whatever LM358 can do, and RF in generalLitz wire, more wire gauges in general for coil makingmore types of ring cores for toroidmore variable capsvariactorspractically no common or specialty ICs for anything RF like VCO, PPL (besides AM/FM radio ICs I hope to hack)no copper clad boardsno V/A analog panel metersWhats some more stuff I should have lying around ?

author: gibbled
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 02:43:11 am
content: Ta7624's are fun and easy to get going.A few lm386's or any other class a/b audio amp chips are handy too.Unetched copper clad boards to build on dead bug or manhattan style.

author: ericj
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 17, 2018, 02:43:44 am
content: You have a good start. You didn't mention the most common resistors and capacitors. You can go through them pretty fast and it's hard to buy just a couple when you need them. Get an assortment at least 5 and maybe 10 of each. Lots of 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 uf discs too. Look for a kits with a good assortment, then fill in as you need them later. It takes time to build a decent "junkbox".Take a look at Hans Summers site:http://www.hanssummers.comHe's big on making do. His interests are also very broad. You'll learn a lot from him. Another great site is:http://qrp-popcorn.blogspot.caYou'll have to dig around a lot on his site to find anything, but be persistent and you'll find circuits that interest you. Both will help you learn to make do, yet get good results. Very handy when you can't run down to a local electronic store for something.Eric KE6US