This document describes the circuit design for a simple pocket radio. It uses two integrated circuits - a ZN414 TRF radio IC and an LM380 small power amplifier IC. The ZN414 acts as a complete AM radio receiver, requiring only an aerial and tuning capacitor. It produces an audio output that is too weak for a speaker, so the LM380 amplifier IC boosts the signal to a level that can drive a loudspeaker. Additional components include resistors for biasing and feedback, capacitors for tuning and decoupling, and a volume control. A printed circuit board layout is recommended for stability.
This document describes the circuit design for a simple pocket radio. It uses two integrated circuits - a ZN414 TRF radio IC and an LM380 small power amplifier IC. The ZN414 acts as a complete AM radio receiver, requiring only an aerial and tuning capacitor. It produces an audio output that is too weak for a speaker, so the LM380 amplifier IC boosts the signal to a level that can drive a loudspeaker. Additional components include resistors for biasing and feedback, capacitors for tuning and decoupling, and a volume control. A printed circuit board layout is recommended for stability.
This document describes the circuit design for a simple pocket radio. It uses two integrated circuits - a ZN414 TRF radio IC and an LM380 small power amplifier IC. The ZN414 acts as a complete AM radio receiver, requiring only an aerial and tuning capacitor. It produces an audio output that is too weak for a speaker, so the LM380 amplifier IC boosts the signal to a level that can drive a loudspeaker. Additional components include resistors for biasing and feedback, capacitors for tuning and decoupling, and a volume control. A printed circuit board layout is recommended for stability.
This document describes the circuit design for a simple pocket radio. It uses two integrated circuits - a ZN414 TRF radio IC and an LM380 small power amplifier IC. The ZN414 acts as a complete AM radio receiver, requiring only an aerial and tuning capacitor. It produces an audio output that is too weak for a speaker, so the LM380 amplifier IC boosts the signal to a level that can drive a loudspeaker. Additional components include resistors for biasing and feedback, capacitors for tuning and decoupling, and a volume control. A printed circuit board layout is recommended for stability.
cal, and if a value very different from that specified is used, it may result in instability. With the given values for Ll �1 andCl,a high Q tuned circuit is produced resulting in good selec- tivity. The values of both coil and capacitor may be altered if a tuning range other than medium — I N e� waves is required. It is possible
D 0 by careful changes in values to tune from the Iong wave band up to the 160m Amateur band.
_J AUDIO AMPLIFIER
By J. Herron As the output from the ZN414
is unsuitable for direct connection to a loudspeaker an amplification vIRTUALLY impossible today In a silicon diode, the junction stage is incorporated in the form I T Is to build a pocket radio which does not conduct until the poten- of IC2, a general purpose audio tial across it reaches a certain i.e. type LM380. This i.e. has a can compare in price and perfor- mance with the mass produced minimum, about 0.6V. When the fixed gain of 50 and can deliver which are cur- diode does conduct the voltage to 2 watts. Japanese radios up a across it remains steady -at this The component which rently on the market. To build with two diodes only radio of similar performance voltage. Thus needs to be mentioned is C5. This connected in series we obtain and would involve a great deal of time decouples the power supply much 1.2V, which is within the limits eliminates instability. It is impor- and would probably cost more than if you had purchased of the i.e. Resistor R3 is a current tant that this is mounted close to one in the first place. limiting resistor for the diodes. the i.c. However, the cost is not the most factor in this important hobby, it is the experience and TUNED CIRCUIT knowledge gained and the excite- The tuned circuit, consisting of ment of putting together electro- Ll and C2 selects the required nic components to produce, in this frequency. After amplification case, a source of entertainment and detection within the i.e. an and information. audio output is available at pin 3, This receiver is not intended to and thus across the volume cºn- compete with the far superior trol VRL but provides feedback superheterodyne type of radio, Resistor R1 was designed with simplicity in the output of ICI and its between R2 together with All the wiring details are shown mind and the use of a p.e.b. makes input. Resistor a suitable for the voltage sets the over- in Fig. 2. A printed circuit board it project the supply in the is shown and novice constructor- all gain, and in most oases will be layout be interests of stability this should be sufficient. However there may where more sensitivity is used. It is possible to use some DESCRIPTION times CIRCUIT then the other form of wiring, such as strip- required, if this is so Two integrated circuits are used, board but this is not really to be value may be adjusted to suit. one is the ZN414 t.r.f. radio i.e., the other an LM380 small power of the Pocket Radio. amplifier i.e. The circuit diagram Fig. 1. The complete diagram of the radio is shown in Fig. 1. The ZN414 is in itself a com- aerial and plete a.m. receiver (less and as such could ION/OFFj tuning capacitor) be used on its own without an R2 01 Cs if only headphone recep- loon amplifier * - SEE TEXT INa002 tion is required. Ri ok n ^ � 0-ipF This i.c_ requires a supply of Y Yv 02 td C7 between 1.1 and 1.5 volts, and L4 * IN4002 IC2 6
unless this is reasonably stable, aa6zFóó� 2
LM380 é00pF whistles and distortion will result. ,2 ICI � ,ir ZN414 3.4.5 L51¡ ob- Perhaps the easiest method of VR1 7.10. C6
. I�F 3 8C! l ,11,12 6 7pF taining this voltage is the system c, � 1 . }26pF
°}°T C3: Sib shown in the circuit. Here two ITUNINGI D•22prF VOLUMEI diodes are connected in series across the supply voltage.
I979 Everyday Electronics, June HH D COMPONENTS Resistors R1 1001<0 R2 10052 R3 15W All #W carbon = 5
Potentiometer VRl/S1 5 kilohm log. with ganged switch.
Miscellaneous IYW3 L1 80 turns 28 s.w.g. enam. ICI UNDERSIDE copper wire (see text) LS1 80 60mm diameter loudspeaker `' I r" . �l � i��l!¡+ �'I I?t B1 9V PP3 battery Ï �,. i ¡((jj¡tit ! ; I�:�i ( i , � tt� il��iitif [1zÍi+ilJlis ;IÈt 11 j Plastic case type PB1 or simi- lar, minimum size 115 x 75 x 40mm; printed circuit board; ferrite rod,10 x 75mm; 28s. w.g. enamelled copper wire; bat- ery clip to suit B1 ; one 14-pin i.c. socket; small round con- trol knob; tuning knob 40mm diameter; connecting wire_
Fig. 2. Complete wiring details for
the radio. At top left is shown the topside of the p.c.b. and its position in the case. Note also the positions ofthe battery and coil. It is important that they are placed in these posi- tions otherwise the lid will not fit in place. Next comes the rear of the front panel showing the connec- tions required to the various con- trols. Finally at bottom is the under-
'1 side of the printed circuit board,
which is shown full size.
- Everyday Fleet?oni.cs, Jame 197.9 367 recommended. Incidentally for those who have never made a is an ideal project to p.c.b., this start with as it is very simple to build. All interconnecting wires should be as short as possible, particu- coil to larly the leads from the the tuning capacitor, and frºm the capacitor to the board. If the beginner is unsure about his ability to solder, particularly it is recommended that a 1cl, mounted on the printed circuit board. is used. Components three-pin transistor socket
CASE COIL The prototype was built in a The coil, L1, is a home-made commercial plastic case, type component and is constructed by of 28 s.w.g. PBL There is of course no reason winding 80 turns close why a different case already to enamelled copper wire, hand cannot be used, providing it wound on a paper former, which is not metal and has minimum is then slid over a lomm ( a inch) 3
The is un- dimensions of 115 x 75 x 38mm. ferrite rod. length as it is at least No drilling details are given important providing the they and the size of the case will 75mm long and can also fit in extent on the depend to a large case. C2 was size of components used. The tuning capacitor old miniature The p.c.b. was mounted on the salvaged from an bottom of the case using two 6BA radio, but a readily available type screws and nuts_ The battery can can be obtained from a number be held in place by double-sided of suppliers. It is not essential to IN USE to the value specified as adhesive tape or Blu-Tak. keep After construction has been the tuning range and the board and is quite wide. In- completed, other wiring checked for errors deed, it may be an advantage to the battery may be connected. use an old capa- Connect the battery and switch until citor already to on, rotate the volume control hand, and change a "hissing" sound is heard—this the number of is white noise being picked up by turns on the coil, the radio and suggests that it is particularly if working correctly. a different tuning Rotate the knob of C2, where- range is envis- upon a number of stations should become audible. If none are heard aged. then this is probably due to the coil being in the wrong position on SPEAKER the ferrite rod. Sliding the coil same The speaker along the rod while at the to time adjusting C2, you should be was attached a the front panel able to find a position where small number of stations come in at using two all is clamps and roughly the same level. If 6BA well the coil can be stuck in posi- countersunk screws. Alter- tion. Blu-Tak or similar is suit- natively the able. can be The receiver gives good recep- speaker stuck down using tion of local stations, and after an impact adhe- dark many overseas stations can and sive if it is de- be picked up. The number their level depends to a large ex- sired not to mar tent on your location -and of course the front panel. Letraset or the time of day. similar can then Although the ZN414 is not being to its full capacity, it be used to label utilised front nevertheless gives quite good the panel I1 as required. results despite its simplicity.
