Notes:
All general purpose transistors should work in this circuit, I used
three BC109C transistors in my prototype.The tuned circuit is designed
for medium wave. I used a ferrite rod and tuning capacitor from an old
radio which tuned from approximately 550 - 1600kHz. Q1 and Q2 form a
compund transistor pair featuring high gain and very high input
impedance. This is necessary so as not to unduly load the tank circuit.
The 120k resistor provides regenerative feedback,between Q2 output and
the tank circuit input and its value affects the overall performance of
the whole circuit. Too much feedback and the circuit will become
unstable producing a "howling sound". Insufficient feedback and the
receiver becomes "deaf". If the circuit oscillates,then R1's value may
be decreased; try 68k. If there is a lack of sensitivity, then try
increasing R1 to around 150k. R1 could also be replaced by a fixed
resisor say 33k and a preset resistor of 100k. This will give adjustment
of sensitivity and selectivity of the receiver.
Transistor Q3 has a dual purpose; it performs demodulation of the RF
carrier whilst at the same time, amplifying the audio signal. Audio
level varies on the strength of the received station but I had typically
10-40 mV. 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 "cold" end of the tank circuit, this
is the base of Q1, and the fixed plates to the "hot end" of the coil,
the juction of R1 and C1. If connections on the capacitor are reversed,
then moving your hand near the capacitor will cause unwanted stability
and oscillation.
Finally here are some voltagee checks from my breadboard prototype.This
should help in determining a working circuit:-
All measurements made with a fresh 9volt battery and three BC109C
transistors with respect to the battery negative terminal.
Q1 (b) 1.31V
Q2 (b) 0.71V
Q2 (c) 1.34V
Q3 (b) 0.62V
Q3 (c) 3.87V