What is this component? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: n2eee
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 08, 2017, 11:37:48 pm
content: Hello all,My first postI'm a freshman Electrical/computer engineer, and I can't identify this component.It looks like an array of 4 variable inductors, like found in an AM/FM radio.I brought it to my local amateur radio club, none of them could ID it.it has 5 visible pins, 2 of them are chassis ground.Images of the component can be found belowhttp://imgur.com/a/IoEcbThanks and 73,N2EEE

author: mzacharias
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 12:37:11 am
content: Looks like a filter of some sort - I saw stuff like this in Super VHS vcr's back in the day.

author: Mickster
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 12:45:17 am
content: Shielded RF coils?http://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-Box-Mixed-IF-RF-Coil-Transformer-f-Old-Ham-Radio-Tube-Transistor-Receiver-/391776014014Regards.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 01:14:42 am
content: Looks an RF filter, the cans may also have ceramic capacitors inside.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 01:19:45 am
content: Quote from: n2eee on May 08, 2017, 11:37:48 pmIf it's junque can you take the metal cans off and post pic?

author: tablatronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 01:22:39 am
content: Yup some kind of inductor heres a variable versionhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/rydepier/5870296407

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 02:25:10 am
content: It's more than an inductor or simple transformer. It has a PCB with tracks and some interesting solder joints.I'd be thinking along the lines of:Quote from: mzacharias on May 09, 2017, 12:37:11 amWith a very high probability of:Quote from: Bud on May 09, 2017, 01:14:42 am

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 05:01:55 am
content: Perhaps an early-era SAW filter? It's funny they used RF/IF transformer housings and oddball trace routing

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 08:08:11 am
content: IF or RF bandpass filter, and since it's from an AM/FM radio it will be IF. I've seen it before but not very common.Made out of a few carefully coupled IF transformers.

author: tablatronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 12:08:09 pm
content: Heh ohh there was more pictures lol take it apart!

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2017, 01:15:55 pm
content: If you own a network analyzer (analog spectrum analyzer and white noise generator), you may be able to model the device since it has a basic GND, in and out. My best bet is if the radio doesn't have any 3 pin ceramic filters, that this arrangement would be the IF filter of 10.7Mhz for FM, or the AM radio IF filter at around 500KHz. Basically a high quality band pass filter at either one of these 2 frequencies. Note that for FM radio, there are sometimes alternate IF frequencies like 25Mhz, or, if your radio has a 2 stage mixer for the antenna like car radios, the device may be for letting in an unusual spread of frequencies.