22 Radio Receiver Projects for the Evil Genius

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Appendix

Electronic Parts Suppliers

We have listed some electronic parts suppliers. We Circuit Specialist Inc. - Good parts selection, test
cannot guarantee any particular level of service from equipment, kits
these companies and supply this list only as a
convenience to our readers. 220 South Country Club Drive #2
Mesa, AZ 85210
Allegro Electronic Systems - Semiconductor Phone: (800) 528-1417 +1-480-464-2485
manufacturer http://www.cir.com/

3 Mine Mountain Rd. Cornwall C & S Sales - Some kits and test equipment
Bridge, CT. 06754 Wheeling, IL 60090
Phone: 1-203-672-0123 Phone: 1-800-292-7711
http://www.allegromicro.com/ http://www.cs-sales.com/
[email protected]
AmaSeis Seismic Software - Free seismic software
available from: Alan Jones Dan’s Small Parts and Kits - Low tech site, but nice
parts selection
www.binghamton.edu/faculty/jones/AmaSeis.html
PO Box 3634
Amidon Associates Inc. - Toroidal cores Missoula, Montana. 59806-3634
240 Briggs Ave Phone: 406 258 2782
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 http://www.danssmallpartsandkits.net/
Phone: 714-850-4660 1-800-898-1883
http://www.amidoncorp.com/ DATAQ Instruments, Inc. - A/D data-loggers
Email: [email protected] 241 Springside Drive
Akron, OH 44333
Analog Devices Inc. - Now selling their parts to Phone: 330-668-1444
individual semiconductors on the Internet http://www.dataq.com/
E-mail: [email protected]
3 Technology Way
Norwood, MA - 02062 Debco Electronics Inc. - Sometimes has some good
http://www.analog.com/ bargains

Centerpointe Electronics, Inc. - I-F can type 4025 Edwards Road
inductors/transformers Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 45209
Phone: (513) 531-4499
5241 Lincoln Ave. Unit #A-7 http://www.debco.com/
Cypress, CA 90630
Email: [email protected]
http://www.cpcares.com/

273

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Appendix: Electronic Parts Suppliers Digi-Key Corporation - Extensive selection of Fat Quarters Software - FM-1, FM-3 magnetometer
electronic parts on-line sensors

PO Box 677 24774 Shoshonee Dr.
Thief River Falls, Minnesota 56701 Murieta, CA 92562
http://www.digikey.com/ Phone: 909-698-7950
http://www.fatquarterssoftware.com
Downeast Microwave Inc - Microwave components
and kits for amateurs FAR Circuits - Circuit boards for many projects.
18N640 Field Court
954 Rt. 519 Frenchtown Dundee, Illinois 60118
NJ 08825 USA Phone: (847) 836-9148 Voice/Fax
Phone: 908-996-3584 (Voice) http://www.farcircuits.net/
http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/
Freescale Semiconductor - Semiconductor manufacturer
Edmund Scientific Company - Science items, parts 7700 West Parmer Lane
and kits Mailstop PL-02
Austin, TX 78729
101 E. Gloucester Pike http://www.freescale.com/
Barrington, New Jersey 08007
Phone: 800-728-6999 Hamtronics - Radio kits and parts
http://scientificsonline.com/ 65 Moul Road
Hilton, NY 14468-9535
Electronic Goldmine - Many unique surplus parts http://www.hamtronics.com/
9322 N. 94th Way
Suite 104 Kits and Parts - Semiconductors and Toroids
Scottsdale, AZ 85258 http://partsandkits.com/
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/
Linear Technology Corporate Headquarters -
Electronix Express - Parts and kits Manufacturer of high quality op-amps
365 Blair Road
Avenel, New Jersey 07001 1630 McCarthy Blvd.
Phone: 1-800-972-2225 Milpitas, CA 95035-7417
http://www.elexp.com/ Phone: 408-432-1900
http://www.linear.com/index.jsp
Electus Distribution - Ferrite coil formers
100 Silverwater Road, Silverwater Loadstone Pacific - Ferrite coil formers, inductors
Sydney, Australia 4769 East Wesley Drive
http://www.electusdistribution.com.au/productResults. Anaheim, CA 92807
Phone: 800-694-8089 714-970-0900
asp?form=CAT&CATID=34&SUBCATID=83 http://www.lodestonepacific.com/coilforms

Elenco Electronics Inc. - Radio and electronic kits Maplin Electronics - AM Radio chip ZN414/MK484
150 Carpenter Avenue Maplin Electronics Ltd
Wheeling, IL 60090 USA National Distribution Center
http://www.elenco.com Valley Road
email: [email protected] Wombwell
(847) 541-3800 Barnsley
(800) 533-2441 South Yorkshire
S73 0BS
www.maplin.co.uk

274

Maxim Integrated Circuits - IC manufacturer - great Public Seismic Network - 16-bit Analog to Digital Appendix: Electronic Parts Suppliers
documentation samples converter

120 San Gabriel Drive Larry Cochrane
Sunnyvale, CA 94086 http://psn.quake.net/serialatod.html
Phone: 408-737-7600 email: [email protected]
http://www.maxim-ic.com/
Radio Jove Project - Radio Jupiter project
Mincircuits - RF parts, MMICs, mixers, etc. c/o Dr. James Thieman
PO Box 350166, Code 633
Brooklyn, NY 11235 U.S.A. NASA’s GSFC
Phone: (718) 934-4500 Greenbelt, MD 20771
http://www.mini-circuits.com/ Phone: 1-301-286-9790

Mouser Electronics - Extensive electronics Radio Shack - The Internet version of the omnipresent
components, no minimum order store

1000 North Main Street Riverfront Campus World Headquarters
Mansfield, TX 76063-1514 300 Radio Shack Circle
http://www.mouser.com/ Fort Worth, TX 76102-1964
Phone: (817) 415-3700
National Semiconductor - Semiconductor manufacturer http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jsp
2900 Semiconductor Dr.
PO Box 58090 Radio-Sky Publishing - Amateur radio astronomy,
Santa Clara, California parts and publications
USA 95052-8090
Phone: (408) 721-5000 PMB 242
http://www.national.com/ PO Box 7063
Ocean View, Hawaii 96737
Newark Electronics - Extensive inventory of http://www.radiosky.com/
electronic parts
Ramsey Electronics - Electronic kit supplier
4801 North Ravenswood Avenue 590 Fishers Station Dr.
Chicago, Illinois 60640-4496 Victor, NY 14564 USA
Phone: 1-800-342-1445 Phone: 800-446-2295
http://www.newark.com/ http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/

Ocean State Electronics - AM Radio chip RF Parts Company - Small RF parts
ZN414/MK484 435 South Pacific Street
San Marcos, California 92078
PO Box 1458 http://www.rfparts.com/
6 Industrial Drive
Westerly, RI 02891 RP Electronics
Phone: 1-401-596-3080 2060 Rosser Ave.
http://www.oselectronics.com Burnaby B.C.
Canada V5C 5Y
Onset Computers - HOBO Data Loggers Phone: (604) 738-6722
PO Box 3450 http://www.rpelectronics.com
Pocasset, MA 02559
Phone: 800-564-4377
www.onsetcomp.com

275

Appendix: Electronic Parts Suppliers Speake & Co Limited - Manufacturer of FM1, FM-3 Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. - Dual matched
magnetometer Elvicta Estate N-Channel FETs

Crickhowell 63 Lincoln Highway
Powys NP8 1DF Malvern, PA 19355-2143
United Kingdom http://www.vishay.com/

Texas Instruments Inc. - Semiconductor manufacturer Interesting Web-sites
12500 TI Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75243-4136 Amateur Radio Relay League - Ham radio organization
Phone: 800-336-5236 225 Main Street
http://www.ti.com/ Newington, CT, 06111-1494 USA
Phone: 860-594-0200
Toko America, Inc. email: http://www.arrl.org/
1250 Feehanville Drive
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 ELFRAD Group - Low frequency research group
Phone: (847) 297-0070 114 Artist Ln
1-800-PIK-TOKO Statesville, NC 28677
http://www.tokoam.com/ http://www.elfrad.com/
email: [email protected]
Vectronics - Radio kits
300 Industrial Park Road Radio Waves Below 22 kHz -Interesting low frequency
Starkville, MS 39759 web-site
http://www.vectronics.com/
http://www.vlf.it/

276

Index

Headings in italics indicate projects. Page numbers in italics indicate
illustrations.

3-terminal regulators 14, 16 AM Simple Crystal Radio (Continued)
6N2-meter Band Amateur Radio receiver 127–39 antenna 40, 44, 44
appearance 42
6N2 meters 137 coil winding 44
antenna 138–39 detector 41
appearance 128 diagram 41
band plan 139
coil winding information 135 amateur radio receiver 127–39
diagram (block) 129 bands 10
diagram (schematic) 131
frequency coverage (diagram) 130 Amateur Radio Relay Ligue (ARRL) 103, 128
receiver specifications 129 Ambient Power Receiver 186–91
semiconductor pin-outs 136
single vs. dual conversion 130 antenna 188, 190
80/40 Meter Direct Conversion Receiver 94–103 appearance 187
antenna 102, 102 diagram (schematic) module I 187
appearance 95 diagram (schematic) module II 191
band change components 100 earthquakes 191
band tuning range 100 grounding 188, 190
diagram (schematic) 96 amplifier 9–10
overload problems 102 amplitude modulation see AM
semiconductor pin-outs 99 Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) 262–71
tuning 102 16-bit converter 269–71
W1AW code practice sessions 103 16-bit converter (appearance) 270
8 channel converter 264–68
A 8 channel converter diagram 265
Dataq kit (appearance) 268
Aircraft Band Receiver (active) 140–50 Dataq kits 268–69
antenna 149 semiconductor pin-outs 264
appearance 142 single channel converter 262–64
audible communications 141–43 single channel converter diagram 263
coil winding information 147 software 271
diagram (schematic) 144 antennas 3, 9–10
semiconductor pin-outs 147 APM-II 190–91
tuning 150 basic long-wire 44
capacitive hat 184
Aircraft Band Receiver (passive) 150–52 capacitive hat antenna 177, 179
antenna 151–52 dipole 90, 102, 114, 243, 243
diagram (schematic) 151 Discone 126, 138
dual-dipole 244
aircraft frequencies 150 ground rods 231–32
AM (amplitude) modulation 4–6 horizontal long-wire 188, 190
loop 210
wave-form 6 loop antenna 211
AM radio broadcasting 1, 2, 4, 49–51 power supply 184
power supply schematic 185
carrier and modulation signals 51 quadrifillar 259, 259, 261
diagram (block) 51 VHF scanner 138, 149
AM radio receiver 49–58 VHF turnstile 259, 259, 261
AM/Shortwave Crystal Radio 39–40, 46–48 whip 126, 138, 149, 151–52
appearance 46 Armstrong, Edwin H. 3
diagram (block) 47 ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay Ligue) 103, 128
shortwave coil assembly 47 atomic clock 105–06
AM Simple Crystal Radio 39–44
amplitude modulation 40

277

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aurora borealis 213–14 detector 41
Aurora Monitor 212–23 deviation 132
diagrams, reading 18–24
appearance 214 Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) 8
coil winding information 219–20 digital transmission 3
control/display schematic circuit 216 diodes 16
control/display unit 214–15
semiconductor pin-outs 219 germanium 44
sensor 220 LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 14
sensor head schematic circuit 215 preparing leads 28
sensor head unit 214 silicon 14, 44
zener 14
B disk capacitors 63–64
Doerle Receiver - 6SL7 70–71, 78–80
Barkhausen, H. 155 6SL7 tube 78
Branly, Edouard 1 diagram (schematic) 79
bugs (FM) 60, 68–69 history 78
Doerle Receiver - Original 70–78
C appearance 71
coil winding 75, 76–77
cable 15 diagram (schematic) 72
capacitance code 25, 27 history 71
capacitors 13–16, 42 original parts 73
short-wave band frequencies 75
ceramic 13, 14–15 double-sideband (DSB) AM 6
code chart 27
disk 63–64 E
electrolytic 13, 15, 64
identification 12, 25 Earth Field Magnetometer 192–202
MKT polyester 13, 14 appearance 193, 200
non-electrolytic 97 connection diagram 196
polarization 42 diagram (schematic) 195
polyester (greencap) 13, 14 flux-gate sensor 194
preparing leads 28 flux-gate sensor board 197
trimmer 13 flux-gate sensor diagram (block) 194
variable 13, 16 magnetic fields 193
variable (alternative) 22–24 power supply schematic 201
circuits semiconductor pin-outs 200
integrated 14
printed 34–36 earthquakes, predicting 191
Clapp Oscillator see Colpitts oscillator Eckersley, Smith, Tremellen 156
coils 44 see also inductors electret microphone 15
soldering to the pins 32 electric cables 18
color code chart 26 electromagnetism 1–4
Colpitts oscillator 19 electronic components 12–24, 13, 14, 15
circuit 20
Conrad, Frank 50 installation 25–38
converters, analog to digital 262–71 preparing leads 25, 26, 28, 29
cristal oscillator 20 ELFRAD group 225, 232
circuit 21 extremely low frequency (ELF) see ELFRAD
pictorial diagram 21
Cristal radio projects 39–48 F
AM/Shortwave Crystal Radio 39–40
AM Simple Crystal Radio 39 Faraday, Michael 1
FM Crystal Radio 39 ferrite bead (slug) 17
cycles per second see Hertz Fessenden, Reginald 50
FET see transistors
Index D firefighters VHF 117
flux 29, 30
Daily, William 190–91 FM broadcast receiver 59–69
dawn chorus 156 FM Crystal Radio 39, 45–46
de-solder 36–37
appearance 45
circuit 45

278

FM (frequency modulation) 6–7, 61 ionospheric disturbance receiver 203–11 Index
radios 3
wave-form 7 J

FM radio 3 Jupiter 234, 235
Frazier, John 2 Jupiter Radio Telescope 233–45
frequence modulation see FM
frequencies (spectrum) 2, 4 antenna 243–44, 243, 244
frequency drift 61 appearance 235
diagram (block) 236
G diagram (schematic) 238
planet 234, 235
galena crystal 41, 44 radio storms 244–45
geophysical alerts 115 semiconductor pin-outs 241
GPS (Global Positioning System) 3, 115
greencaps 13, 14 L
grounding 188, 190
LDR (light-dependent resistor) 13, 13
H leads, preparing 25
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 14, 16–17
Ham Radio licence 9, 103, 128
Hartley oscillator 19, 19 power indicator light 125–26
headphones 44 licenses 9, 103, 128
health and safety 38
heatsinks 15, 16 US amateur radio bands 10
Henry, Joseph 1 light-dependent resistor (LDR) 13, 13
Hertz, Heinrich 1 light-emitting diodes see LEDs
High Frequency (HF) bands 4 lightning 176–77, 177
history, radio 1–3 Lightning Storm Monitor 175–85

I antenna 177, 179, 184
diagram (schematic) 178
IC (integrated circuits) 16 lightning 176–77, 177
3-terminal regulators 16 semiconductor pin-outs 183
listening-in
IC Shortwave Radio Receiver 81–93 aircraft communication 141–43
appearance 82 public service VHF 117
diagram (block) 83 loop antenna 210, 211
diagram (schematic) 84 loudspeakers 15, 17
evening broadcast listings 92–93
frequency range selection 89 M
popular shortwave bands 91
semiconductor pin-outs 88 magnetic
shortwave antennas 90–91 fields 193
shortwave listening (SWL) 82–83, induction 166
91–93 storms 213–14

Induction Loop Receiving System 165–74 magnetometers 193
appearance 169 Marconi, Guglielmo 2
coil winding information 171 marine storm warnings 115
diagram (block) 167 marine VHF 117
induction loop technology 166 Maxwell, James Clerk 1
receiver 168–74 McClelland, R.S. 2
receiver schematic 170 medium wave (MV) see AM
semiconductor pin-outs 173 microphones 15, 17
transmitter 167–68 MKT capacitor 13, 14
transmitter I schematic 167 MOSFETs see transistors
transmitter II schematic 168
use 173–74 N

induction loop technology 166 narrow-band FM transmission 60–61
inductors (coils) 15, 16–17 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
integrated circuits (IC) 14, 16
105–06
preparing leads 29 Natural Radio see whistlers
NPN see transistors

279

Index O soldering 25, 29–38
check list soldering 34
ohm (Ω) 12 check list un-soldering 37
OMEGA Navigation System 106, 115 flux 29
oscillation 3 guns 30, 31–32
oscillators 9–10, 18–24 irons 30–31, 37
joint quality 35, 36
P mechanical joints 33–34, 33, 34
overheating 32
parts suppliers 272–75 preparation (iron) 32
PNP see transistors preparation (material) 32–33
police VHF 117 printed circuit (PC) boards 34–36
potentiometer (pot) 12–13, 13 remove solder 36–37
power indicator LED 125–26 solder 30, 33
power transistors 14, 16 station 31, 31
printed circuit (PC) boards 34–36 temperature 33
public service VHF 116–26, 126 trimming leads 36
ventilation 38
R to wire 32–33
wire gauges 33
radar frequency band 1
radio frequency (RF) spectrum 1, 3–4 Solid-state FM Broadcast Receiver 59–69
diagram (block) 61
chart 5 diagram (schematic) 62
radio storms (Jupiter) 244–45 inductor coil winding information 66
radio telescope 233–45 semiconductor pin-outs 66
radio waves 4, 6, 7
railroad VHF 117 speakers 15, 17
receivers 9–10 SSB technology 2–3

diagrams 11 modulation 7–8
relays 15, 17 wave-form 8
resistors 12–13, 13, 42 Storey, L.R.O. 156
storms, electrical 176–77
codes 25 sub-carriers 69
color code chart 26 Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance Receiver 203–11
light-dependent 13, 13 antenna 210, 211
preparing leads 26 appearance 205
tolerance 12 diagram (schematic) 205
variable 12 power supply schematic 210
Rosenberg, Leo 2 semiconductor pin-outs 209
rosin flux 30 short wave fadeout 204
use 211
S VLF signal propagation 204–05
Super High Frequency (SHF) 4
satellite navigation see GPS switches 17–18
schematics, electronic 18–24 electronic 16
seismic network, public (PSN) 232 slider 15
semiconductors 16 see also capacitors; diodes; resistors;
T
transistors
substitution 18 Tate, Joseph 186, 190–91
SHF (Super High Frequency) 4 temperature (soldering) 33, 35
shortwave Thomas, William 2
bands 1, 91 thunderstorms 176–77
broadcast chart 9, 92–93 time code receiver 104–15
fadeout 204 tinning 33, 34, 41
shortwave listening (SWL) 8–9, 82–83, 91–93 tools and supply 41
shortwave radio 8
receiver 81–93 hexagonal plastic tool 67–68
silicon diodes 14 transformers 15
single-sideband see SSB transistorized radio 3
sniffer coil 258 transistors 16
solder 30, 33
FET 14
280 MOSFET 14

transistors (Continued) VLF (Very Low Frequency) 4 Index
NPN 14 VLF Very Low Frequency Radio Receiver 153–64
PNP 14
power transistors 14 appearance 157
preparing leads 28 dawn chorus 156
diagram (schematic) 158
TRF AM Radio Receiver 49–58 recording 164
appearance 52 semiconductor pin-outs 161
diagram (block) 52 times of listening 164
diagram (schematic) 53 using the receiver 162–63
semiconductor pin-outs 56 VLF radio stations 163
whistlers 154–56
trimpot see potentiometer (pot) voltage controlled oscillator see VCO
tube #19 71–73 volume control see potentiometer (pot)

U W

UHF (Ultra High Frequency) 4 W1AW on air code practice sessions 103
ultra-low frequency spectrum 225 Weather Satellite Receiver 246–61
Ultra-Low Frequency (ULF) Receiver 224–32
antenna 259, 259, 261
antenna 231–32 appearance 250
antenna circuit 231 coil winding information 254, 256, 258
appearance 225 diagram (block) 250
diagram I (schematic) 226 diagram (schematic) 252
diagram II (schematic) 227 frequencies 261
ELFRAD group 225, 232 operation 259–60
power supply schematic 227 satellite view (USA) 248
semiconductor pin-outs 231 semiconductor pin-outs 256
ULF-spectrum 225 set-up 260–61
un-solder 36–37 set-up diagram (block) 260
check list 37 weather VHF 117
whistler receiver 156–64
V whistlers 154–56
wide-band FM transmission 60–61
Variable Frequency Oscillator (VFO) see VFO wire 15, 18
VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 22–24, 23 soldering to 32–33
WWV broadcast schedule 115
circuit 23 WWV Time Code Receiver 104–16
pictorial diagram 24 antenna 114, 114
ventilation 38 appearance (inside) 106
Very High Frequency see VHF appearance (outside) 105
Very Low Frequency see VLF atomic clock 105–06
VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) 22 coil winding information 112
circuit 22 diagram (block) 107
pictorial diagram 23 diagram (schematic) 108
VHF Public Service Receiver 116–26 LED power indicator 113
antenna 126 NIST (Nat.Inst.Standards and Technology) 106
appearance 117 semiconductor pin-outs 112
coil winding information 123 WWV broadcast schedule 115
diagram (block) 118
diagram (schematic) 119 Z
power LED 125
semiconductor pin-outs 123 zener diodes 14, 64
VHF public service frequency bands 126
VHF (Very High Frequency) 1, 4

281