FM Radio

This simple fm radio receiver circuit consists of a regenerative rf stage, TR1, followed by a two of three-stage audio amplifier, TR2 to TR4. In some areas 3 stages of audio amplification may not be necessary, in which case TR3 and its associated components can be omitted and the free end of capacitor C5 connected to the collector of TR2.

The critical part of the fm radio receiver is the first stage, TR1/VC1, where the wirings must be kept as short as possible. Coil L1 is formed by winding 8 turns of 1mm (20 swg) enamelled copper wire on a 6 mm diameter former, which is then removed. After that L1 should be stretched carefully and evenly to a length of about 13mm.

Transistors ListTR1 = BF199TR2 = TR3 = TR4 = BC547

The tunning capacitor VC1 is one of the two fm sections of a miniature fm transistor radio with built-in trimmers (VC2). The “earthy” end (moving vanes and spindle) is connected to the 22pF capacitor C1. The value of the rf choke L2 is not critical, anything from 1µH to 10µH being suitable.

The output is suitable for ordinary earphones connected in series to provide an impedance of 64Ω.

Tuning-in the fm radio receiver

To operate the radio receiver, potentiometer VR1 must first be advanced slowly (towards the end of the track connected to battery positive) until, at about the half-way point, a sudden slight increase in background noise will be heard, indicating the onset of oscillation. It then should be backed off, very slowly, until oscillation just stops; it then should be possible to tune in some stations.

The correct frequency range of 87 MHz to 108 MHz can be obtained by adjusting VC2 at the high frequency (108 MHz) and slightly stretching or squeezing together the turns of coil L1 at the end (87 MHz).

The critical part of the fm radio receiver is the first stage, TR1/VC1, where the wirings must be kept as short as possible. Coil L1 is formed by winding 8 turns of 1mm (20 swg) enamelled copper wire on a 6 mm diameter former, which is then removed. After that L1 should be stretched carefully and evenly to a length of about 13mm.

Transistors ListTR1 = BF199TR2 = TR3 = TR4 = BC547

The tunning capacitor VC1 is one of the two fm sections of a miniature fm transistor radio with built-in trimmers (VC2). The “earthy” end (moving vanes and spindle) is connected to the 22pF capacitor C1. The value of the rf choke L2 is not critical, anything from 1µH to 10µH being suitable.

The output is suitable for ordinary earphones connected in series to provide an impedance of 64Ω.

Tuning-in the fm radio receiver

To operate the radio receiver, potentiometer VR1 must first be advanced slowly (towards the end of the track connected to battery positive) until, at about the half-way point, a sudden slight increase in background noise will be heard, indicating the onset of oscillation. It then should be backed off, very slowly, until oscillation just stops; it then should be possible to tune in some stations.

The correct frequency range of 87 MHz to 108 MHz can be obtained by adjusting VC2 at the high frequency (108 MHz) and slightly stretching or squeezing together the turns of coil L1 at the end (87 MHz).