AM Receiver

source: Andy Collinson Description: This is a compact three transistor, regenerative receiver with fixed feedbac ! "t is similar in principle to the #$%&% radio "C which is now no longer available! The design is simple and sensitivity and selectivity of the receiver are good!

$otes: All general purpose transistors should wor in this circuit, " used three 'C&()C transistors in my prototype! The tuned circuit is designed for medium wave! " used a ferrite rod and tuning capacitor from an old radio which tuned from approximately **( + &,(( -.! /& and /0 form a compund transistor pair featuring high gain and very high input impedance! This is necessary so as not to unduly load the tan circuit! The &0( resistor provides regenerative feedbac ,between /0 output and the tan circuit input and its value affects the overall performance of the whole circuit! Too much feedbac and the circuit will become unstable producing a 1howling sound1! "nsufficient feedbac and the receiver becomes 1deaf1! "f the circuit oscillates,then R&2s value may be decreased3 try ,4 ! "f there is a lac of sensitivity, then try increasing R& to around &*( ! R& could also be replaced by a fixed resisor say 55 and a preset resistor of &(( ! This will give ad6ustment of sensitivity and selectivity of the receiver! Transistor /5 has a dual purpose3 it performs demodulation of the R7 carrier whilst at the same time, amplifying the audio signal! Audio level varies on the strength of the received station but " had typically &(+%( m8! This will directly drive high impedance headphones or can be fed into a suitable amplifier! Construction: All connections should be short, a veroboard or tagstrip layout are suitable! The tuning capacitor has fixed and moving plates! The moving plates should be connected to the 1cold1 end of the tan circuit, this is the base of /&, and the fixed plates to the 1hot end1 of the coil, the 6uction of R& and C&! "f connections on the capacitor are reversed, then moving your hand near the capacitor will cause unwanted stability and oscillation! 7inally here are some voltagee chec s from my breadboard prototype!This should help in determining a wor ing circuit:+ All measurements made with a fresh )volt battery and three 'C&()C transistors with respect to the

battery negative terminal! /& 9b: &!5&8 /0 9b: (!;&8 /0 9c: &!5%8 /5 9b: (!,08 /5 9c: 5!4;8