20 B4ESM PROJECTS

AC LINE FILTER 19 AUDIO SQUELCH • CW MONITOR TAPE DUBBING FILTER ~ FM TUNING METER TWEETER CROSSOVER. WATTMETER @ & MORE

PAGES 4-14

1OllOWCC:S PRClJECTS

WIRElESS MIKE FOR FM • SCREAM GEN~RArOR III GUITAR TWANG AMP ELECTRONIC TOUCH ALARM. FUZZ AMP CRYSTAL TESTER

SPEECH CLIPPER • BLACK-OUT ALARM • MINI·L1GHT BLINKER

'AM REBROADCASTER • RC FROM WALKIE-TALKIE

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE PAGES 15-16

121 ocmNG & USEFUL PROJECr> YOU O1N BUILD

IHPORTANT

The various circuits described in this book are for 117 volts A,C, Necessary changes in the power: aupp.l Lee and component; substitution may bE necessary in some of the circuits.

Published by G C Jain for Business Promotion Bureau through the courtsey of PagE! Publications of Qus hustralia and Printed a~. GOYAL OFFSET PRINTI:;:RS

308/6-£, Shahzada BaRh, Dava BaSiL Delhi-11f035

With rhi-, 197" issue of "101" the Editors

. have gathered ;, number of new ctrcuus

labled passlvr, It i, a group of :W circuits usually comisting only of resistors, capacitors, diodes or inductors. We define passive circuits as those that do not connect directly to I' battery. AC supply. solar cell or similar power source, A mpl i fica t ion devices such as discrete transistors or operational Ie amplifiers are not used in passive circuits.

As an example, the BC-CB DUPLExrR project prevent, transmitted and received CB R F power from entering your auto rad io even though both USc the same CB whip anicnna. The duplcxer is a passive circuu, corn-

posed entirety of resistive, capacitive and inductive dements, That electrically permits tbe .55 to [,r, MHz .'\)\,j vigria! tu pu« only to the AM radio, nor It) the C B set. Similarly, a 27.135 M~hCB 'ign,1I (CH151 picked lip by ,he SII"''' antenna will he clccrronicallv routed directly to the en sei-hypa"illg completely the AM radio.

So, passive circuits vou find ill Ihi, issue do not require ;.my tY~le ()f "gain" devices; they are, in addition, iairly simple projects that arc tlse~ to improve the operation or make measurements of other electronic equipment How "boll I YOLI geIT;n)! active with a passive circuit ([Jd"y')

Audio Wattmeter

Here's a n easy way to measure an a m pi ifier's output power without trying to converi voltage to power measurements. Resistor R I provides the loac for your arnplifier and should be rated at least twice the maximum amplifier power output for example, if your amp puts out 25 watts, R'l should tie rated at least 50 watts. The meter scale must be hand calibrated, and will take some time and effort, but once dane it' 5 done for good. Re move the

4 -

scale cover from meIer M 1 a nd borrow an f"C va ri able auto! ra nsform Dr, or 'connect a 1000 Hz signal generator to the arnplifier output. Connect the output of the autotransformer (or amplifier) to binding posts BP I and 8 P 2, and connect an AC voltmeter (VOM) across the binding posts. Set R2 to off-full counter-clockwise if correctly wired. Adjust the autotransformer (or amplifier) output until the AC meter indicates 20 V rms-s-the voltage fer 50 watts

cPI INPUT 8P2

across 8 ohms, Adjust potentiometer R2 for a full scale indication on meter ML Se~1 R2's shaft with a drop of Glyptol or nail polish. Reduce the voltage across the binding posts in accordance with the table shown arid mark the meter sca~e accordingly,

PAILTS usr FOR AN AUDIO WATTMHEk

BPI, BPZ-lnsul"ted bbdin'J posh CI, CZ-100 uF, 50 VDC

01, 02, 0], D4--Diode, HEP-I34 'tol1-0-1 mA DC meter

Rl-B-ohm, 100-wattt r",i.tor, see ted RZ-15DO-ahm linear taper potentiometer

Walts at 8 ohms

50 40 30 25 20 15

~:~___ljl~

2,8 1

~ 0.5

20,0 17,9 155 l41 126 110

Load Matcl;1er

Most audio circuits transfer their maxi mu rn power at minimum distortion only when the output impedance is matched to the load irnpeda nee. But it is often necessary to connee: equipment of differing impedances, For example, how do you correct an arnplifier with a 600 ohm output into an amplifier with a 50 ohm input? Usually, if the 50 ohm input is connected across the ampllfier with a 600 ohm output, the excessive loading caused by 50 ohms will sharply reduce the output of the 600 ohm arnplifier, and will generally increase the distortion sharply.

A rninimum loss pad is the device used to match a high impedance to a low lrnpedance. Though there is a Iways a signal level loss through a pad, the circuit shown provides the absolute minimum loss that

:sIGNi~ OUT

Rl,..tZdZ, - 2>1 R2·Z,Z.

RI

II MUST BE GREATER THAN l'

can be obtained while providing a precise match. If the resistance va I UIlS work out to odd va lues, such as 134 ohms, use the closest standard value, Though 5 percent tolerance resistors are suggested, almost as good 'performance will be obtained Wflh 10 percent resistors.

Remote Speaker ~etup

Even if your hi-Ii amplifier does not have output termi nals lor re mote speakers, it is easy enough to add them without complex switching equipment. With few exceptions, modern solid -state am pllfiers have 110 output transformer and a utornatically match a ny speaker irnpeda nee between 4 and 16

ohms. The only i rnporta nt con sideration is MAltl SPEAKER REMOTE SPEAKE·~

that the total impedance connected to the r+' __ -, .....-_..-'1 ---,

left and/or right speaker output is never less than 4 ohms, or the amplifier will attempt to deliver so much power output, the output transistors will selt-destruct. If your main speakers have an impedance of 8 or 16 oh rns, simply add remote speakers as shown: switch S1 turns the remote speakers L- __ ---' on and off. Since transistor amplifiers usually put out more power at 4 ohms than at 8 or 16 ohm s. add i ng the extra spe. xers does not substantially reduce the volume at the rna i n spea ke rs because the am pi ifier sees a lower impedance load and attempts to drive more power output into the combined speaker load. II your speakers are 4 ohms, and you plan to use 4 ohm remote speakers use the circuit modification shown, Switching in the remote speaker will result in the main and remote speakers

6

being series connected for a total load of 8 ohms.

LEFT

RIGHT

: SI-SWITCH DPS'f

~~ELr!

~a-160HM:

I \

MAIN SPEAKER REMOTE SPEAKER

FROM ~

lEF T AMPLIFI ER MAIN

• 4n

520' .:

, REMOTE

, ql1

FROM ~;-S2-SWITCH DPDT

RIGHT AMPliF loR : MAIN

, 4n

52b .•

REMOTE 411

FM Tuning Meter

LAST IF AMPLIFIER

~;

RATIO DETECTOR

-+

MI

RI

R)(

...... ----- ..... --'1 ~~-~ ....... ~--AUDIO OUTPUT

Those inexpensive Ilortable Pu blic Service Radios do a fine job of receiving police and fire calls. But if you're not tuned precisely to the center channel of the base station, it's more than likely you don't hear the much weaker signals from the mobiles. With an FM Tuning Meter hooked onto your public service inhaler, you'll be able to copy any signal that can light its way into the a nterma lerm i na Is. The schernat ie shows a detector circuit common to most public service portables. Resistor Rx and capacitor Cx form the de-emphasis network. Connect one end of sensitivity control R 1 to the junction of Rx and Cx as

. 'AITS LIST FOR FM TUMING METEII M'-50 e. tOO .1. "'~ e r, .er. cwfth. 111-1 ",...,.h", ",i.i.""e I'0tentio",ettlr

shown. Meter M 1 is the zero center miniature type; one rated either 50 or 100 microa mpe res wi II be satisfactory. Adjust R 1 50 the meter poi nter is not driven offscale when the signa I is detuned to the extreme of the sideba nds. Proper tu ni ng i 5 then indicated wt.en the meter Sl10WS center scale.

{gD Record Restorer

Old 78 rpm collecto.'s·item records cut back in the early days when performers sang in front of a large horn usually have a peak in the midband that drives the sound into your mind Ii ke a Ii ngerria i I scratched across 'a blackboa rd. The overs II sound quality is easily tamed. and made more natural and modern, by attenuating the shrill peaks with a Record Restorer. a device that suppresses, by hi·li standards, the midband frequencies. The Record Re·

HI 270K

c: C2

0.2 uF .02 uf 0.2 uF

"!~~

-=

OUT

storer should be assembled in a metal cabinet to prevent hum pickup. Connect the output 'of your phonograph to the restorer input. Con neet the output of the restorer to you r ta pe recorder. Set potentiometer R2 to maximum resistance and adjust potentiometer R3for the most pleasing sou nd. It R3' 5 adju stment is too tittle, or too much as evidenced by a "hole" in the sound quality, trim thl) restorer witt: R2 until you get the optimum equalization.

~TS LIST FOR Ii£CO~D RESTORER C 1. C3-O.2 uF ",viClr <Clpacilor, 25 VOC er- bettoC!r

C2-O.02 ~F "'vIG' capClcllor, 2S .... DC o. beller

Rl-210.000·okm, 'h·watt .'e,i.to.

R2, R3-25.COO·ohm pctefttiomet..r, Heene tCiper

Mike Desensitizer

Many cassette recorders do not have a high level (aux) input; they are meant only lor use with microphones. I f you try 10 dub directly from another recorde r ' s "line" cutput; or from across the speaker, the relatively high sig nal level overloads the micro. phon>! input, causing severe distortion. Good dubs can be obtained by attenuating the high level signal almost 50 dB. so the attenuated signal is essentially equal to microphone level. This recorder bridging cord provides about 50 dB attenuation in a single, easy-to- handle assembly. Connect resistor R 1 in series with the shielded cable hot lead, Connect the free end of Rl to recorder plug PL2 and one end of resistor R2. Fold R2 back adjacent to Rl and solder the free end to the cable 5 hleld, .loop a wi re from the s h ie Id to the PL2 outside

SHIELDED

CABLE RI ro MEDIUM

FROM PL j I lOOK PL2 ;MffDENCE ~IGH ~(GOOTOKlCOOni

LEVEL· - - - - - L."..,...J "'ICflOF'>iONE

OUTPUT R2 INPUT·

10K

PARTS LIST FOR MIKE DESENSITIZER

1"\.1, HZ-,PI.g. to match e.Iofin9 tap" "q"ipmenf Shi*lded cable Rl-IOO,OOO·ohm. '1"watt r-e sts+eeU-IO,OOO·ohm, 'i,·waft rests+er

(sleeve) terminal. PLl should match the output jack of the recorder you dub from,

Stereo Shutoff

AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF SWITCH ON PHONOGRAPH

I

L

0: -

"~

II ha ~pcn s to ju S t abour everyone. One min. ute you 're l(,stening to the bi-fi, the next you're cal.led away to answer the doorbell or a phone call. Yow forge! all about the music, the record plays til rOUSh. the a utomatic turntable shuts Off-but (he amphIi er stays on u nt il you ha ppsn to pass by and nolice the glow j rom the pilot lamps. Yet, this simple circuit, which you ca n th row togelher in less t ha nan hour wi I: automatically I u rn off t he amplifier when the iumtableshuts off. There.l'ay coil' voltage is taken from acres 5 the phcno motor; when tile turntable motor is on. relay K'l closes and ~pplies power to AC socket SO 1; when the II)rntable shuts off. removin~ voliage trorn the motor, K 1 open s,

PAnTS LIST FOR SHIIEO SJ.jUTOF~ 1<1-117 YAC utuy with eo.'ucl.' rat • .! ,,~ le"s' ~ ampere. <I' n 7 \lAC (R:o' dl" Shack 215·201)

51-5 wi I,eb, 5",5 r (,h" lolf byp a.d I SOl:-AC .oekel

disconnecting power Jrorn the outlet, ge· cause the : urnta ble au tornatlc shutoff swilch might not be able to carry the amplifier load, the AC power lor SO 1 is (allen off before the automatic ~hutoff switch. Switch 51 bypasses t he relay contacts and applies power to the socket even when the tu rntabte is off.

CB Sniffer Probe

It's often d iffie u I t if not im poss i ble to de. teet RF in rnini-power RF clrcults such as used in walk ie·talkies; generally. service grade test equi prnent ius! is n: I se nsitive enough. Next tirna you're working on a, CB ",,,lkiE·lalkie &nd C3 n't tell if a lower power RF amplifier is working, jus t throw toge! her a C,s 511,i ffer Probe from remains of the old junk box. Belter yet, why not be prepi! red i n advance because aJi new components will COSI less than $10. A small plastic rod about 6 inches long. cemented to Ll, will a 1101'1' you 10 use I he sniffer 3i5 11 probe, Toalign, place the sniffer near the antenna 01 a known good wal~ie-li3lkie. key the transmitter. and using an insulated 81 ignmenl screwd river adj ust t ri m me r capacitor C I lor maxim I'm brilliance 'aT neon lamp It.

d NE-Z

PARTS LIST fOR CD SNI.FFU ~RODE l

L Cl-S to 3'0 pF I,d"''''''r copo,dfoc

H-NE·2 "eon la,"p

LI-Rf doh. Ohm,;fe .Z·H4 or "quiv,

Tape Dubbing Filter

Nex.t limB a friend asks you 10 dub his old 76 nr worn 45 record collection 011 tape, don't start 1(:llinll nirnnow it will come out w;'1 h more scratch and n'lise tl-an music. No need 10 apologize, Just pass his recards 1 hrallgh the lap~ Du bbl ng rilte, an d he'lI neue. hnoV/ whO happen - ,0 I he noise -II wi!l all be gone. The liller connects bel ween II-.e signa I sou 'C~ S ucn as a record player and YOIlI tape rero,(l""It"s cut·tlff j req uency sta rts ~I ~b()"1 5000 Hz, attenu

atiort increasing at the higher noise producing frequencies. Control R2 allows YO'J 10 shift the "corner" frequency slightly up or down to obtain more or less high frequency attenuation as needed. For proper operation, the recorder input impedance should be at least 100,000 ohms. Some solid state recorders with input impedances less than 100,000 ohms will reduce the degrse of high frequency noise filtering.

This unit should be built in a metal enclosure.

PARTS LIST fOR

THE TAPE DUBIIN$ FILTER

Cl, CZ-100 pF dis" copcd+or. 50 VDe or better

II-l00,.OOO.obm •• 'h·watt rltllslor R2-·1 DO,DO().ohm pot .. ntlomet.r, '""Y taper

Tweeter Crossover

AC Line Regulator

L:~~~J

EXISTING WOOFER

NEW TWEETER

Any single voice coi I ~ peaker is ha rd pressed to handle both low and high fre quencies simultaneously-and it's the highs that suffer most. A much cleaner sound can usually be obtained from speakers 6 inches or larger if the highs are pumped through a tweel-'!T. It can be any small speaker rated 4 to 6 ohms of approximately 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The back-to-back capacitors. C 1 and C2, permit only the highs from. about 1500 Hz up 10

Shrinking TV pictures, color shifts. hi-fi amplifiers t hat don't put 0 ut a nywhere near their rated power, photographic enlargers requiri ng extra -Iong expos ures. These are just a few of the symptoms associated with low line voltage. Maybe it's the local elec tric company "browning" you out because they can't meet the electric su rge to power summer cooling (or winter heating}, or perhaps your electric wiring capacity is just too low for all the appliances On your line. Whate~er, that ex pe nsive modern eq uipmen! pooping aut from low line voltage can be brought back to I ife with an AC varia ble transformer, often called a variable autotransformer,

pass into the tweeter. By keeping the lows out of the tweeter, the highs come out cleaner, and there's no chance of the greater low freq uency power "blowing" the tweet~r. Potentiometer Rl is used to match the twee\er's output level to that of the woofer-because small speakers are generally much more efficient than large speakers If you eliminate RI, the highs will lit· era Ily scream in you rears.

PARTS LIST FOR TWEETEII. CROSSOVER

cr, C2-25 uF elec!rolyt;c capClcitor. 25-SO VDC

R 1-50·ohm w.ir"b';,,~cI pote.tiom .. ter, I 0;1'" 2 waHs.

Misc. Cone tyP& tweet .. r. such a. the Lo'oyeHe '19,01562 aru .ultable for us';: with this circuit.

Pli

MJ

0-150 VAC

The autotransformer normally has an operating output of from 0 to 150 VAC, so that's a reserve of at least 30 volts. When the power line dips, simply crank up the

autotransformer u nl>! the meter ind lcatas between 115' and 120 VAC. The device works the same way if your line voltage ru ns too high: sim ply crank the transformer down to tire desired voltage.

Autotra nsforrners come in rna ny wattage ratings: make certain the one you get ca n hand Ie the load . As a safely feature, have at least 25 percent reserve ea pacity. II the

load is 150 watts use an autotransformer rated at least 200 ;"'atts:

~ARTS LIST FOR AC Lito.!: REGULATOR 1011-0·150 'lAC mcle<.

PLI-AC plug

T1-AC pow,,< lin~ yar;cbl., oat,,'ran.· fcrm~r 'Oll",lt~ Iyp~ ¢r e'lwiv"I~Ht.

..... tnt' -

Z~Matcher

Headphone outputs aren't standard. On some equipment the phone output might be low impedance such as for hl-fi typtl headphones; on olhereq uipment the phone output m igh! be "high Z" such as 5000 or 10,000 ohms. Connect low-Z phones to a high·Z outputand the volume level will fal:1 to next·lo·nothing, ;;nd tl:stortion might soa r to unpleasant values,

Sut ~5a 1] Z-Matcher, actually a low-Io·high matching transformer. and you can USE" just about any phone on any circu it. Don't let the 4 and 10,000 ohm markings fool you. Any low-Z phone from 4 to 20 ohms canfleets to the 4-ohm transformer terminals; any high-Z phone connects to the 10.000 ohm term ina Is. For exa rnple, if you are using 8 ohm hi-Ii phones and a recorder with a 5000 ohm phone output connect the a·ohm phones to the 4·ohm terminals and the 10,000-ohm terrni na Is to the recorder. An exact match isn't crltlca I.

PARTS USY FOR Z·MATCHEIl

iI-".udl~ .. ",t~'"t .,,,.,fer.,.<>t; 4·@ e ~ ...

I>r;"'~r,. HI.(I{)O ~~m .ec .. ~<I"rl' {AI. II,.,:; 10S-05l2; Lmf .. y@tt" l3-g~O~S: lite ~ltr~u"'i"ld ty~e A·)5 9Q' ",,'e •• ln.,,1 ""pU~"IIOft. J.

Tube Quick Check

TEST LEADS TO CHECK CONTINUITY

Most tube failures al e caused by open filaments, so you ca n save a 101 ct Ii me when troubleshoot ing rad i05, TV and comm unications gear by U sing til i s al most i nsta n· ta neous Iii be checker. Simply pi ug a tube

into the match ing socket if the filament is okay, lamp 11 will light It you have any oddball tu bes that use sockets other tha n the standard three shown, sim plybu ild them inlo Ihe checker. The contl n uity test leads a 150 allow ycu 10 C he~l\ ti laments in tu bes that won 'I fit the sockets.

PARTS LIST FOR TUIE <;IUICK.CHECK

&1-6 val! battery,. Bu<qes; Z4 or 1 .. ~len

type

11-#40 pHD! I"mp SOl-Octal .ock~t 502-7 p;n see ke+ 503-9 pin .acket

IJ

Can Controller

J ~ TO LEFT

510 _L TL. : .. SPEAKE.FI

... »).._~ '" TO fliGHT

r' r- ~SPE~KER

LEfT CHANNEL (

COMM~) :J_ !

RIGHT CHANNEL \.

'*-)-----------

FROM 3TEIIEO AMPllF I Ell

Even il your stereo set doesn't have a head, phone output you ell n sti II get the intimate sound of headphone listening by adding this easy to build stereophone controller. unlike a simple switching system, the controller has Individual level controls lor both the left and right cans (phones), thus allowi ng you to balance the phone volume wilh· out upsetting the amplifier centro] settings. When the speakers are re-connected by switch S 1, the a rnplifier is at its norma I volume level, Volume controls R 1 and R2 should be wirewound types rated at least 2 watts if your stereo II mplilie r has II power output greater than 10 watts. It your am-

Jl

plifier's output is less than 10 watts, RI and R2 COl n be any wirewou nd type rated 2 watts or less. Resistor R3 and R4 only serve to protect the phones agai;lst damage in the event you have the controls set for luli volume when you switch to phone operetion,

rAILTS LIST fOR CAN CONTROLLER

JI-St~.eo pnou t .. c~ t" match plo, aR h.adphnu

ill. U-50.ohm wlrewound variable r-e'Iilt.r. I .. te.t

RJ, R.4-150."hm •. 'h.,walt ••• iolo. 51-Switch, DPDT

Speaker Extender

Your CB rir or SW receiver, or hi-f arnplifier can do double duty by feeding signals around tMe house, But to avoid blasting the sound in one location while it's a pipsqueak somewhere else, connect an L pad at each speaker, then run the transceiver gain near-

CB

TRANSCE IVER

EXTERNAL TO

SPE AK£!! J"'ICK

JACK 0 !o-_-+---+_:.... .... __l

12

Iy w1de open, The l pad is a special lmpsdance-match i ng vol ume cent rol t hat lets you adj:Js! the volume at each individual speaker from full off to lull on. without af· feeting· the volume at the other speakers. Regardless of the impedance of the speakers you're using, best results are obtained with 8 ohm L pads

PARTS LIST I'OR SPEAKER EXTENDER L 1, L2-8 ohm L pod r LafoV.H" 9'·61400, f .... t •• ee: L<lfay.H. 97·611'U for 1110"0, er e<!.ly~I."tl 'LI-Plu'l to mold you. ",.', •• 01 .pu~. "" lack

RF Sniffer

"ARts LIST FOR ItF SNifFER

11-#4'1 pnot rom" ll-C .. n .• ce ted

The ea siest way to start servicing low power ham transmitters is to first localize where the power gets lost. An R. F. Sn iffer made from an ordinary "49 pilot lamp and a few turns of wire will instantly indicate if there's RF in a tank circuit. Carefully, so )'Ou don't get near the high voltage, bring the sniffer close to the tank coil. If RF is present, lamp II will glow-no glow, no

11 GE~9

u

RF, Coil Ll ~an be any diameter from about oae-hatf to one inch or greater, Use about 10 tu rns for 80 meters, 5 tu rns fa r 40 and 20 meters and 3 turns for 10 meters,

BC-CB Duplexer

If «ou're tired of having your friendly new car dealer knock $100 or so off the trade-in allowa nee beca use you d rill holes in the body for C8 antennas, simply replace the existing auto radio antenna with a cowlmount CB whip, installfhe CB Duplexer and no one will know you ever had a CB whip on the car. Cowl-mounted CB whips generally are exact replacements for auto antennas, The Duplexer automatically connects the antenna to either the car radio or CB rig. When lransm itti ng on CB the series tuned circuit of Cl·Ll passes the RF along to the antenna, whilto Rl blocks the RF from feeding through to the car radio, When receiving broadcast slat iO~5 C I·Ll represents a high impedance, thereby blocking the signals from entering th:; CB rig where they wou ld short-out. Instead. th e broadcast signals pass through Rita the car radio.

Build the duplexar in a small metal en-

TO CAR ,,::""';:LI:;--'V\R;..I ~--, RADIO .::r

TO ca. TRANSCEIVER

I'UTO

cow L- MOU NTEO C8 ANTENNA

PARTS LIST FOil THE IC.C' DUPLEJCEIt

Cl-10 pF '·immH capat;tD'

Ll-RF choke, Ohmlt .. Z·lH or equiy. Rl-S60-obm, '11 -watt r~.i.to.

closure, Plugs Pl1, PL2 and PL3 should match the existing jacks on t~e radio equipment, usually PL·259 for the CB set and a Motorola-type for the AM or AM/FM auto radio. To adjust C I, connect an SWR meter between PL2 and the transceiver and adjust Cl for minimum SWR,

the metal can and solder if possible. The diode rectifies the RF voltage. while the capacity of the shielded cable provides fil· lering. The output of the probe is positive, wit h the VTVM i nd icatin g t he peak va I ue 01 the RF waveform. To determine the RMS

RF Probe

Three components are all that's needed to make a VTVM measure RF voltage up to 200 MHz (depending on Ihe diode used). The orobe should be Luilt in a metal can with shielded wire for the connecting le(ld 10 the VTVM, Co nnect the shielded wi re to

[J

PAII.TS UST FOR RI' 'ROllE FO~ nYM CI ....... SO.pF disc capacitor

Dl-1N60 diode

RI-20.mttgohm, 'h.watt r.slstor

value, multiply the VTVM reading by 0.707. The maximum RF voltage that can be applied is limited by the diode. A lN60 is limited to 30V peak RF voltage. For higher voltage-handling capacity, substitute a

TO

RF SIGNAL

01

higher voltage small signal detector diode.

RF Filter

C:l, ;:;2, C3. C4-0.5 III' mylar upadtOT, 150 VDe 0' better

L1, LZ-9S' tu ... s of #16 enameled wire c:lo-sewoLtrrd on -a lj .. r .. in. wftod dowel "I'P'oximlltelv (, In<hes 10"9·

P!.l-3.w;,,, AC plug

501-3·wi,. AC ."ekel

It's not uncom rnon for the R F output of a medium to high power transmitter to leak into the AC power lines, causing your signal to be picked up by r31:1io, TV and hi-f sets. Actually, just about all transmitters from the 5 watt CB rigs to the Amateur's full-gallon can sock it to the power lines. Mast often, it ta'kes a brute-force filter to squash the interference. First, try the filter 'right at the tra nsrn ilter; if it doesn't cure the problem you might have to place a filter at each radio, etc., which is picking you up. This filter rnus~ be constructed in a metal cabinet. The ground end of all capacitors

.L1

--l I I I I

J

I 4-

I ALTERNATE. GROUND, SEE TEXT

L2

should return to the electrical _ ground th rough a 3'w) re pi ug. If this does not elimi nate the interference, I itt the ca pacitors off the electrical ground. connect them to the cabinet, and ground the cabinet separately.- Either way, the cabinet must be' grounded-directly to a .water -,ipe or through the electrical (third wire) ground.

SWL's· Squelch

II '#47

It's almost a universal rule that two-way radios have a squelch control. a device that mutes ihe backg rou nd noise unli I a station is received. Even public service radios now i neIurie a sq uelch, so why pu t up with ear-jan ing noise when listening on your SWL receiver. ",st a couple of #47G!El pilot lamps scrounged from old tube radios ~ C__"_ __ _J

(Continued 011 po.ge 66)"~""'''''''''''''''''''''''''

14

TO A 4 TO 30HM SPEA~ER

TO RECEIVER SPEAKER OUTPUi!"

•

D Rebroadcaster

AUDIO I"IPUT~TIII

FROM CB SET

EXTERN,Al 4 n

SPEAKER

OUTPUT

One way to keep an ear on the Amateur . or Citizens band wh ile working ,a round the house or searing steaks 'out on the patio, is to install a lot of remote speakers. An easier way is to feed the a udio signal from your CB or amateur receiver into a broad cast band Rebroadcaster and radiate the signals' throughout the .house and yard. A small transistor pocket rad io tun ed to the rebroadcaste r frequency wi II a lert you in· stantly if a call is received on your cornrnunicatiuns gear. Best of all, since Ihe radio travels with you, you're never away from your receiver.

p"tTS LIST FOR RltnOADC.l.UEI er, c.-..OS .F IIIK u,ulter, 25VDC .' .... r

Cl-10 •• 41 pF III ...... Ie. c.,.clt.,.

ItO VDC .... tte. ~

ea, C5--I.OI .F III,e e.p-"te., 25 VOC

........ ,

U-Oulll.te. cell. 101111 •• 2022 ql-H.H tr.nld .. " HIP.nO

.1-6200 'h·w." rell&fe •• , .. te ..

"-0 , o1., •• r, 4 .hu .. 1110

.r uoa •• ,,"

Build the rebroadcaster ina metal cabinet. The power supply can be a transistor radio type 9 volt battery, though a line supply is preferred for more dependable .continuous operation, The unit draws about 10 rnA, Power input and anten na length are limited by FCC regulations, If -the input current exceeds 10 mA, increase the va lue of R 1 in 20% increments until the current is below 10 rnA. The antenna wire cannot ex, ceed 10 teet. Adjust slug L1 so the rebroadcaster operates on an unused Be frequency, The a udio input connects to the speaker or headphone output of your com, rnunicatibns equipment. Adjust the volume on t he receive for a h iglo, und istorted transmission by the rebrcadcaster

D Motel Alarm

Here's security for the traveller. Just con nect this alarm to the doorknob of your

motel room and a loud buzzer will sound if anyone touches the doorknob. Transistor

15

PARTS LIST FOR MOTEL ALARM

',--1> I<olt bottery .... ,." Z4 o •• ",,1 v, IP1-1"lIloI.«I bl.tll .. , ,olf

IUI-4 volt bVIHr

C1, C2-~U5 'dh. eo,"cll ••• - 25 'DC or M .....

Cl-50 pF' ,n.... m'cCI cII,oclt.r. 5110

'DC

(;4--25·150 pF ... 1 ........ c:-O.n IF. 2S 'DC

(;6--50 wF ,,'.ctrolytlc n,lIcllo •• 25 'DC

o. MHo.

£II, D2-Dlod.,IN60, HEP·U5 Dl-Dlocle. , .... "4. HE,.n,

LI-15 uH ..dj ..... bl. RF coli 11011110.

420~1

PlI-'uthbutton switch 1 •••• U Ijn-2N1394

1j12-2Nn" '

Rl-47.01l0.ohm. 'h·w,," resistor'

.' p.:z_, 0.0 IIO·oh",. '/> ·wolf ""51do. 1t3. R6-10IlD.ohm, ';' ·w.,tt .".I.tor R4--S60.ob .... 'h.wo" .esistor R5-5600·ohm. 'h.w"tt re.iot.r 51-Switch, S'ST (on.O'II'I

SCII-Sillcon C"ntrolled Rectifie., Gen. .r,,1 Elulrlc C6U (Listed in EDI C"t"logl

circuit Ql is an oscillator with a connect ion through bindl ng post' SP 1 to the door1lnob. As long as Ql oscillates, its rectified cutputis applied to Q2 which holds the SCRI gale almost at grou nd potential. When someone touches the doorknob, hand capacitance "kills" the 'oscillator, thereby reo moving that cut-off (holding) bias from the SCR 1 gate; the 5CR conducts and sounds alarm buzzer SUI. The 'alarm can only be turned off by opening reset switch PB l. The alarm should be assembled in a small metal cabinet with insulated binding Post BP 1 at the top. A small wire loop attached to ,BPI secures the alarm to the doorknob ---,the a larm actually hangs on the knob. To adjust, carefully set C4 in small Incrsments until touching your finger to BPl causes the buzzer to sound, If C4 is overadjusted. hand ca pacitanca will not "kill" the oscillator. Best operation is obtained if the door is made of wood.

D Professional Burglar Alarm'

This professional type burglar alarm can be used to protect windows or glass a reas by .lsing window foil that "breaks" a circuit as the glass is broken. It's an alarm that is triggered when the protective circuit is opened. All protective door and window

16

circuits must be normally closed and series connected so that an open i ng of any protective device will trigger the alarm. 0nce the alarm is triggered it can be turned off only by opening master switch 51. The recommended power supply

-6V

N.C. DOOR SWITCHES

VI

~ T_O_P_R_O_T_E~C_T_'V_E _.

Lri.rt.ri CIRCUIT 4

WINDOW FOIL

is an AC powered 6 VDC source or a lantern battery; standby current is about 100 uA. To adjust, _ connect a voltmeter (10 VDC range) across resistor R 1, open the protective circuit and ad] ust potentiometer R2 so the meter indicates a voltage rising Iowa rds 1 volt. The ala rm bell should ri ng before 1 volt is reached on the meter. If it does not, there is a wiring error. Finally, set R2 for the 1 volt meter reading, remove the meter and restore the protective circu it.

. ""'RTS LIST FOR

PROfESSIONAL BURGLAR ALUM

Cl-S0 .F, , YDC el .. ~frolytic capacitor QI-NPtol translstar. GE·20 or equl~. RI-t GaO-.hm, 'I> watt ,,,,'st,,r IIl-Z50,OaO.obm potentiometer 51-SPiT ... itch

SCRI-Slilcu eonlralleel rectlfi"r .at .. eI I Z PI" or higher f Ge.erol fleetrl~ Cl06 ."riel'

Yt_. ype alarm bell

Automatic AC-DC Power Supply

PARTS LIST FOil:

AUTOMATIC AC-De POWER SUPPLY

IT-6Y la.tern battery

C'-IOO of. 16 YDC electrolytic capaclto.

Dl, D2-SlIlcon rec:tilier rat..d 2S PlY _ at , A or higher

ItYl-blay, 6 YDC approximately 20 mA I Polto, .. Brumfield 11:550-6 or "qD'V.)

TI-12.6 volt center.tapped filament tran.form.r roted 1 A or hi"her_

Both home-brew and battery operated burglar alarm kits are made fail-safe with this automatic AC power supply. Normally, power

01

" voe '-<0--1-1-0 ... TO

ALARM

-=- BI

-1-

for the alarm comes from the line powered 6VDC pOI"e, source; th is prevents circuit alarm systems and signal lights from prematu rely exha usti ng Ihe battery. If the AC power line should fail for any reason, relay RYI releases to switch in standby battery 8 L As soon as the power Ii ne is restored, RYl pulls in and again disconnects the battery. Relay RYI '5 contacts are shown in the power line off (battery on) position.

o Power Mega~one

Just about any power transistor can be used in this megaphone. II's suitable for boats, playing fields, etc. Transistors Q1 and Q_

are the 2N301 type, generally available in "five-for-$l" experimenter kits.

Transistors Q1 and Q2 are parallel-con-

17

- ~m,~E'a~y ,Auto Theft Alar~ .c>

TO CAR BATTC:RY

II

I

~ ~ .,

"

. '~.'

01 H!EP-'2JO

nected to haildle,thei i'!!qiifred pDwer'~ rid l;p~a~er:m~IGhJl}~" Th!i.microphD'ne'is··at;~,I> 'bon 'tYpe !'iUCh 'as. ,? telephone handset. If aregulai ca r bori mi keis used; the.p usn- to'

;' ~~!.'~,if~k:;ii~: ~h;~~~~*&~:t~~'!~~~~a~;.

~'~rrr - upor.·"u~apaCitor "charge"'time. Bat, '{eries, EiianciB2"ar,e6V lantern types.

The>:Ori'it"shouldbif'jjLiiit 'in;ametal' case

',~~i~::~.:g~~ :~~SsOJ,~m,~,'~~aie~a~~'i~!o:H?::~'

• heat-slnk grease between 'each- transistor

· ~odt~~~.ase..· ..

PARTS;;LIST' ,FOil' tASY AUTO'THEPT ALARM

• ,;"5 \~f<;ild"r,mD~ ftfedkey .wife h.

".;;, l 1; ~- ~

.v;.

;AsiK~fe'fehaer.n:lOlJhtedkey switch is <lll .that's neadad: to .tu rn you rear's horn and courtes)' 'lights "intci' a. 'blJr?JaJ'or" .t~eft

"alllrm!,SirTiplyinstaU,keys\'!iJdi srpnth,~ f~n(jef.'i:unnect One terrijinaJ to 'uieborn, . relay 'and: the other .to thecciurtesydight ','

.cj_oor:sWitch;wiHng, a's, shown by the;doited lines; When S{isCin;e;al"l)'pne enteringa.car

· dClbr'equippedViith, acqurtcsy-iightswitcf1 wiUautcil11ati~aUy;sb,undni-ecrir's hprn,Tfie <syddeii blast ofthehor(1, is u sUaHy ene,ugh

SPKit -

1

~Bl

'"F 12VOC "=82

J

Potentiometer Rlis adjusted for maximum sound. output consistent with "cwestdistor·:

tico,. '

PARTS LIST FOR 'OWER ME ... rI:lONIl 1iI.1. U--6.V.I<lftt.rlt b...ttery Mt,....eo",,,,, mlc: ... ph"".

QI. Q2-HEf.23D!232 pnp t,an.i<tor

nS"'"."I .. 1

RI-5000·<)II.". I' .. t .... t[omet e r Sl-5psf .wltch '.

5 l"1l1t--4 ~oh m • ".0 hr "r horn

'!bfrighten Off:~poteritiiil burglar.llall the. , cardb6rs arel1qtequippedwith switches vou can easily install them; switches are available {~oin local auto supply stores.

".;;.."

D Ph~to Light (;ontrol

,------------~~~

Heavy direct current or DC power is 'easily .' pOnlfQljed:Wlthotlt the use otmasslve power '~Wii~;Ji(i's::iln.dWi ripg'by .usirig.aLA?GR .. ·.(light

·;tf!i~i~,$~~f,~,~~b~t~~r#i1~t~:g~1~~~~i

';''lxce)itiFi~t th.e 'gate is tripped by,ligf:Jt

· rathert~anvoJh:HJ~lcurren~, ..

IS':

'j.'bTS 'LiST FOR PHOTO LIG'HrCONTROL

1I'-li'lrnhli.lJht bulb or prior I"",t,> !]

(t~e. ,'"rl' .

. Ql-~i'l~t.o.t!vl1fe·d.'l!ieM·'-cnfc"lI"d ~'\f:" r"diii"r C LAseR. GIi_:_s"e .~.;j lU......41.000·oh"'. lb-w"~ 7~i.t"y

~ {":-:'

~-:~ ,

- <) •

AC O"DC TO POWER LAMP

II

The triplamp can be any ordinary flashlight bulb powered by two 0 cells. When the lamp is turned on the LA.SCR gate is closed, causi ng ell rrent 10 flow through Ihe load and the LA.SCR anode (a) cathode (c) ctrcuit.

RI

QI LAseR

DC POWER ONLY

A suitable LASCR is one from GE's LaB series, Use one with the appropriate PIV rating. Inexpensive LASCRs a re occasicnally available from "surplus dealers"; though you must make certain the "surplus" unit has Ihe required PIV rating,

[] FM Wireless Mike

J~st .sPeak or play into the microphone and ~u'IF broadcast to an FM receiver at dis· tanees up to 50 leet (maybe 100 feet if the wind'is righl). Use standard RF wiring precautions lind make coilll exactly as shown. Be~t speech clarily is obtained by USing a cryatl,ll or ceramic mike. for music repro. ductlon, substitute it dynamic mike element.

The unit can be assembled on a perfboard using push-in terminals for lie p(.ints. The case must ~ metal to prevent hand capscltance from continuously changing the outpul frequency, Pass the 6·in. solid wire antenna through the metal case using a %'in, hole and a matching rubber grommet for an insulator.

'ARTS LIST fOl Flo! WIIELESS Mill 111-'." bd+ery. i"YIM lUI

CI-4.05."I'. I-"De c.,..,II.~

CJ-H. .. ,. I.WDe I8l.ctr.lyflc u,.clt •• C3-s. .. '. Ill-YOC -'ectrolytlc co,u""" C4--UllF, ZS·YDC c ..... cJte.

C5-50l0 ,L!' ffl .. mc. ".,aella. ' ..

C60-i. .. ,F """,,,,Ie u,odl.. ','

C7-G.II •• II,10.YDe upocltn LI-s.... ,lch.rI.' d.f.1I

MIC--Crptol ., c.r.",lc .. Ic.oplt._

.......

91, q:z.-,. I.ouidor HEP-1Z0 11-47,000'01" ... 'iJ-w.tt •• ihtor iU-3 I ,oao-.~ "', 'I> ·w. It •• 001f.r 13-1500-0."', 'I,·",.tt ... lIlor 14--UOO-.h"" ';',wott r.illlo •. lS--IOO,ODa.ohrn, 'h-watl •• ilda •

• '-"7G.oh , 'I"wftt .... I.t ••

51-Spot llch

L DETAIL 3 2 TURNS TURNS

,........., r-,'

Ql2_Q Q_a .!:4" FORM !---n NO. 18 I-- 112"--1 SOUD W.IRE

RJ R3

Mle

=

3T,

2T.

19

D Twang-A-Matic

,------------------------,

PARTS LIST FOR TWANG-A-MAliC

.1-9 yolf b"ttery Ilnr.ad.t 246 or

!!:quiv» • ...,1

Cl-4.001 uF dllc capacitor IS 'DC or better

CZ-2 MF electrolytic copacltor, 15 'DC or better

C3-1 .F .",dr.lylle upaclt •• , 15 'DC

... bett.. .

C4-4.005 uF dllc capacitor, 15 'DC or b.tte.

JI. J2--flho". lac.

91, 91-NPN trauidor, 2N3J94 11.1, R!i--l m",ohm, 'I> -watt r..ldor 1l2-10.000, '1,-waH relllf •• R3-"20.000.ohm, 'I>- ... "H r .. ldor. 5 p.rc .. ott

R4-U·.hm. 'h- ... att ... Iotor R6--<l700- 0 hm, ';', waH r., loto. .7-50,OOO-ohm udlo fapa.

p .. 'entloinm.

51-Switch, :l>I'DT (twaB'I h'-nll 52-S .... ltch SP5T COR-d"

It seems no one ca res' for the sound of a plain. unadorned guitar. First they added fuzz. then big· boom bass, next it was reo verberation and screaming highs. Now the in sound is twang, a gu itar sound that more or less a pproxirnates a banjo or mandolin. A Twang·A·Malic produces these unusual sounds from an ordinary electric guitar by cutting the bass, severely distorting the midband and highs, and then -amplifying the distortion. It might read "bad" to you, but it su re sou nds good!

You can assemble the Twang-A-Malic in any type of cabinet, Switch 51 cuts the effect in and out wh ile switch 52 turns the II nit on and off. Output control R7 Should be set so the Twang-A.Malic has the same volu me level as the straight guita r feedthrough. Various degrees of twang is obtained by vary; ng the output so the guitar pickups with the level controls built into the guitar.

+

B1

9:2\_

02 1

c 2N3394 _

(I!J Speak-A-Mike Preamp'

PARTS LIST FOR SPEAK-A-MIKE PREAMP

111-9-Y battery

Cl-6-uF. 2S·YDC "h,etrolyti~ ~"pacitor C2-l1.47-uF, lO-YOe capocitor

QI-GE-2 pnp tr",,'5Ior

RI-270.000-ohm. '''-watt r .. btor R2-27.0'OO-ohm. 'h-watt resi.tor _j 51-Sp,' swltch

SPKR-AnV PM speaker. 4·1 O-c-hm.

---

20

A speaker can often serve as a micrqpncne in intercoms, "one-way telephones" or as an emergency microphone. All the speaker needs is amplification to raise "voice power" output to normal mike level.

A small speaker-mike preamp can easily be thrown together with junk box parts and just about any general purpose Ira nsistor with a beta of 30 to about 150. While an

pnp transistor is shown, an npn 'type can be substituted if the battery and C I 's polarity are reversed. No other changes are needed.

Ql is a common base amplifier providing a low impedance input to match a low irn-

pedance speaker of 3.2, 4, 6·8, or 16 ohms. The collector output is medium impedance and the .47 uf capacitor at C2 allows the preamp to work into loads of 7000 ohms or higher.

QI

GE-Z

CZ

1

1t2

OUTPUT

m Power Failure Alarm

Never fear again that a power failure will kr;ock out your electric alarm clock. The instant the juice fails, the Power Failure Alarm's raucous buzz let's you know about it, ever 'nthe wee hours of the morning.

To keep current consumption ("nd cperati ng costs) at rock bottom, a very sensitive relay is used for K I. As long as AC power is supplied, K 1 is activated a nd the buzzer contacts are held open. When power fails, Kl's contact springs back, completing the battery connection to the buzzer.

PARTS LIST FOR

'OWER FAILURE .t.LARM

tI-<lV dry-~ell battery

Cl-25.uF, 150-YDC capacitor OI-IN4003 silicon diode Kl-3000-S000 obm ,eft,ltlYe r.ley call

he,,"")

Itl-IO,OOO-oh .. , 'll-watt re,ldor 1-6-YDC ummercial ho,"e bu .... r

K 1 is a "model rad iocontro!" type relay with a pu II· in current of approx, 3 mAo

m BCB Mini Booster

Here's a low cost project that can pack a lot of ext ra sen sitivity into a ord i nary t ra nsister pocket radio. You' II be. able to do some extensive broadcast band DX'ing with that pocket portable the bank gave you when you opened an account. Assemble the unit ina sma II plastic cab-net with coi I l

cemented to the side Or back of the cabinet; use an adhesive such as General Elec· tric's RTV. Connect upwards of 10 teet 80 antenna wire tq the input, and position the Min i· Booster flat against the pocket rad io with Ll directly behind the lopstick antenna built into the radio. Tune capacitor

2J

R'

~LAC!;: NEAR RADIO !

f"

~Ll

,

C3

i~: .05uF

CE(~: I J L~+

51

C2 to the approx: mate freq uency you want to receive, then turn "on the rad io and listen to the signals boom in. Keeo in mind that the receiver's normal AVC action will

PARTS LIST fOR THE' ICI MINI IOOSTElI.

81-15 volt penl1<Jht AA baHery CI-II.00S uF di.e capacItor. 25 '1DC Or betier

C2-165 pi" ",inioture tunin9 e"p~e;to. ","it~ <linl

Cl_.05 uF di ••• ap"citor. 25 VDC or better

LI-Ferrlte loop a~tenfto Illadio Shock

270·1430)

Ql-NP.N transid .. r, HEP.641 Rl-19.000.~h"" '''·watt .resistor 51-Switch. $P$T (0 .... "1

mask a ny boos! applied to strong signa Is.

mProbe

Calibrator

One of the ha llrnarks 01 a professional laboratory oscilloscope is t he combination precision vottage and test probe cali brator. While the voltage calibrator is self explanatory, the probe ca I ibrator is not. Capacitive divide r probes wh ic hare used for

PARTS LIST F-OR PROBE CALIBRATOR

IPI,Sn-ain<lin9 po,'" see tnt

er, C2-0.01 ~F di,c copa<if~r, 25 Y DC or beHet

CJ-O.I uF, mylar <cpndtor. 25 vr ~ or

better

91. 92. Ql-NI'N t,an,i,t~r, 2Nl391 .1, R4-33,OOO· e ~ ... ,/, -watt re.l.t ... n. n. A~-l OC.OOO· e hm. 'I> -watt

r.esi!,tor

1R5-560-o hm. r,2'_ watt res! !lito.r

17. R9-1000-ohm, 'h-watt r",[.tnr R_10:jO~ (:~'.r=1 potel'ltiomct@r ZDI-ZeM' clio"". t. yo!!,. 1 watt (Radio

5b,. 276 56J, H~P-IOl or eq.;yl

22

high freq uency observations must have the small internal tri rnmer properly adj usted if the probe is not to atten uate or peak the higher frequencies. The probe is calibrated by feeding in a precise square wave and then adjusting the tri mmer capacitor in the probe for opt i mu m sq uare display.

The Lab Ca librator is the same type device as you' II lind in the most expensive scopes. - It provides a precise 5 Volt peak-to-peak sq ua re waveform of approxi rnately 1000 Hz. To cal i brate the probe and scope, you firs! adjust the probe's capacitor for optimum square waveform, then adjust the scope's vertical calibrator for the proper 5 volt peak-to-peak display, The power supply can be any filtered DC voltage from 9 to 12 volts. Bi ndin g post BP 1 is i nsulated, BP2 ca n be connected to the meta I enclosure. II a plastic €nCI05 urs is used, make certain BP2 is connected to the circuit ground. Adjust R8 for 5 volt peak-topea k outp ut.

m Powerhouse Larynx

Though the design is simple and easy to build, this one-tranststor-Ioudhailer puts out a powerhouse shout. The circuit, except for the mike, can be mounfed in a metal ca binet with a paging horn or trumpet speaker mounted on top.

Transistor Q 1 must be provided with a heat sink, which may be the cabinet itself. Take care. however. that Ql's case-the collector-is insu lated from the ca bi net with hardware provided in a power· transistor mounting kit.

The microphone can be a surplus carbon type or telepbne transmitter element.

The entire unit can be assembled inside a speaker-trumpet if care is taken to acousti-

"m;:

!'ARTS LIST FOR POWERHOUSI LARYNX 1I1-6·YDC battery. laBter" tYP8 or four

"D" .. Ikolin" celli II .8rle •.

MIC-Carbcn microphone 91-Mo'orol .. H EI'.232 '''P '.alllhl.r RI-27Q-ohm. 'h,wat. r"'O+or

R2-1 .ohm. 4·wot ..... btor

SPKR-8·ohm Im,.d .. me". horn.typ.

speaker

51-Norm"Uy-op.n ,. ... hbllffo" switch TI-8 to 24-ohm. S.waft a"dl" output ' .... lfo ...... r-L .. tay.tt. 33-57011

cally isolate the microphone from the speaker to prevent howli ng feedback.

Note care1ul1y that transformer Tl must be rated for at leftSt 5 watts. Do not use a miniature transistor transformer.

TI '

EJ(]""

-::::- 81 +

rn Modulated 100 kHz

l~!!I!1 Calibra~~~

r-~~~~~~--------~~~

III

If the part of the short wave band you like to monttor is so jammed with signals you

01

can't find the markers from 11 standard 100 kHz calibrator. this modulated calibra-

23

tor is the next best thing to a frequency meter, Just turn on the modulator with switch S1 and each marker will turn into a raucous growl that will stand out in any rna ss of heterodynes. Once you have [he rna rker tu ned in you cap tu rn off the modu late r for precise Ireq ueney a I ignment. The unit can be zero-beat to WWV by adjusting trimmer capacitor C4_ For optimum performa nee the un it shou Id be assembled in a metal enclosure with every part firmly tied down to terminal strips or perf-board. Nor,nally, a clip lead attached to output binding post PI will radiale a healthy signal into the receiver, If the signa I is too wea k at the higher Ireq uencies simply connect the clip lead between binding post PI and the reciever's antenna terminal, To adjust coil Ll. temporarily connect a 0-10 mA DC meter between battery 82's positive terminal and ground, Using an insulated alignment screwdriver, adjust slug Ll for a peak mete r indication of approximately 1. 5 rnA, Then remove the meter and re·

I!:JBudget CPO

PAitT5 LIST FOR 8UDGET CFO 81-4.S-Y batteev

Cl-G.02.uF. I O·YDC capa~itor C2-O.22-uF, IO·YDC capacitor EI-2000-ohm mag netic earphone 91,-HEP-641 npn teo.sistor 1M o',orola 1 RI-2700.ohm, 'h-watt resistor R2-150G·chm. 'h-w"tt resi.tor R3-27.0()O.o~m. 'h -wott resi,tor R4-50,OGO-ohm potentiometer

Components you -have lying about might make this simple. budget CPO (code practice oscillator), Using component values given, the tone frequency is approximately 800 Hz, It can be changed by substituting different values for C 1 and C2, but maintain the same capacity ratio. That is, C2 should always be about 10 times larger

m Fish, Caller

Click-click might no: sound like much to you but to a fish it's the dinner bell. That's the lure of this electronic circuit. Shove the whole works In a watertight container. lower it over the side, and wait for the fish to

24

connect the normal ground connection.

FA ITS LIST FOR

MODULATED 100 KHZ CALIBRATOR

81-1.5 volt loA baHery

12-9 Yoll battery type 2U~

Cl-II.1 uF. 25 YDC «.pocltor

C2. C5-ll.05 gF. 500 fOC ceramic dis. copacitor

Cl-750 pF. SOli YDC ,ilver mica

c:apac:itor

C4-180 pf trimmer cap"citor Dl-Ger ... "ni<l'" diode, IN60

LI-2-1B mH width coil (J. W. Millu

63141

PI-Insulated 5-way bindin9 pa.t

91, 92-PNP transhtor. 2N217 or 2NI lS7 R 1-1S,OOO·ohm. '10 watt resistor RZ-100,ODO.ohm, 'h walt rOlidar Rl-680.ohm, '/, ... att re.idor

S 1. S2-SP5T .wltch

11-Tr,,",I.to. output transformer

I Lafayette Rodi" TR-1l9) Xl-l 00 kH~ cry.tal

than Cl. Battery current drain is only about 1 milliampere,

h it the hooks,

For proper operation Tl must be subrniniature type about half as large as your thumb. E1 must be a crystal headphone (supplied with some transistor radios).

CI

PARTS LIST fOil FI5H CALU.

In. 11%-1.5.11' AAA bott"...,

er, C2-SQ.uF, 25.YDC ",.ctrolylfc

copucitor El-Crystol"arpbone

91-Motorala HEp·23() pnp tronlbto. 111-2500'011111 potentiometer 1:I.-27,OOO· .. hlll. '/.·watt resistor $1-5p" .witeh. part of II 'fl-Submlnlature fran.htor output

traftdorrne.: 50D."hm center toppe" II'rlmary to 3.2·<>"m ."c<;>ndaryLafayette Radl" 33·855110

II] Open Circuit Burglar

Alarm PARTS LIST FO.

OPEN CIRCUIT IiIURGI.AII ALARM

CI-50 uFo , YDC elect.olytlc c .. ,., ...... 11--4700 ... lIm. iI. wRtf .. olot". R2-10(1)· .. hlll, IJ. wott ••• 1.'0. Sl-5PST .wltch

SCRI-Sllle .. lO """'r,,I1,,4 .eefille., ....... 12 PIV or h"h.. I GeRe',,' I!IK· trl .. C1'06 ,,,.1 •• 1

YI-40 YDC 010'''' bell

-6V~

TO N.O PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT

This simple electronic latch-up alarm circuit handles normally open protective devices such as concealed floor-mat switches, All protective devices are connected in parallel

and the alarm is tripped as soon as any of the devices are: closed. There is no standby current and a battery power source will last its shelf life. Either a line powered 6VDC su pply or a 6V lantern battery is suggested. Once the alarm is tripped it can on Iy be tu rned off by openi ng the master switch st.

m Stop Motion

MIC

MINI-AMP MOOULE

'ARTS LIST' fOR STOP MOTION • DI-Motorol" HEp·154 50·PIY .llicoj) ree·

'ifier

MIC-C.raml~ IItIC'0r,hB.

Rl-SoGa.oh .. po.nt "IItet .. r 12-1700'0""" '/>·watt •• ,1"0' SCll-G£ CIO'G lilleo.-c" ••• elhHI .....

tlfi~r

o

+ TO STROBE LIGHT

_ SVNCJACK

=

You. too, can take strobetlash pictures the instant a pin pricks a balloon, a hammer breaks a lamp bulb or a hu lIet leaves a gun. You'll need a mini-amp-c-one of those tr .. nsistor amplifier modules 01 t-wett rating or less. It must have an output transform.r. Don't use an "OTl" (no transformer) arnpflfier. The amplifier is terminated ,,!Ilh a I'll'

25

sister On its highest output impedance, pre ferably 16 ohms. Make certain the connections to t he strobe lias h sync terminal! are correctly pola rized.

Darken tile room lights, open the camera

shutter and break a lamp bulb with a hammer. The sound of the hammer striking the lamp will trigger t he flash, a nd the picture will have been taken at that instant:

m Electronic Combo Lock

Install an electronic combination lock on your car's dashboard and a thief would have a better chance playing Russian roulette.

Switches S 1 through S5 are spdt rather than spst only to keep all external switch rna rkings 1M e same. It wou Id be a dead giveaway it two keyi~g notches Or lettering were reversed.

Tracing the circuit will show that only if switc hes S2 and S4 a re dow n is the siren disabled. The siren sounds if any other switch is down or if S2 Or S4 is up when the ignition. is turned on. A simple wiring change lets you set any combination.

The switches can be "sporty" auto accessory switches sold individually Or in switch banks. Provide labels such as "Carburetor Heater," "Window Washer," etc. and noone will kn ow t he car is wi red for "sound."

+12VDC

FROM IG NITION SYSTEM WHEN ON

S5

+12VO C ~-- .... -- .. ~ ... TO

SIREN

mStereo

Balancer

o

MI

GNO ---------- ..... -----~II!__--------- GND

It looks ridiculously simple, but this instrument will give you precise volume and tone control ba lance between left and right stereo amplifiers.

For maximum convenience, the meter is a zero-center type. - Res i stars should be at least five percent a nd the diodes a matched pair. Note that the lead lor each side that goes directly to the meter is con nected, between the junctions of OJ / R 1 and 02/ R3.

Optimum stereo level and phase balance occurs for matched speakers when the meter indicates "0". If the meter indicates either lid. of zero, the levels are n at matched or ttl" wires a ra incorrectly phased. Check incorrect pnasing by making certain the me-

26

ter leads a re connected 10 the amplifier "hot" terminals.

An ordi na ry 0·1 mA DC meter ca n be substituted. You adjust for zero reading, but keep in mind that the meter pointer can be driven in the reverse direction of1-5cale. Use only as much amplifier power as neeessary for a visible meter indication. Those para lie! wires on the schematic diagram show ci-cult symmetry. Only one wire is, 01 course, actualty necessary.

PARTS LIST FOa STEREO ULANCER Dl, Dl-IN914 diode

~1-1·0·t mA DC meter, Ieee s e enter RI, 1Il-560·ohlh, ';'· .... on re.i.tor, 5'(.

m "Serutan"

That old faVorite, the crystal radio, becomes more than just a, weak voice buried in the headphone when it's amplified with a "junk .box" amplifier.

Transistor Ql can be just a bout any general purpose pn p germanium type such as the 2NI07, 2NI09, etc. The SK3003 specified gives a little extra gain.

Ll is any ferrite antenna coil for the broadcast band, while El must be a magnetic headset for maximum output level. To align the receiver, set C 1 's dia I, to the known frequency of a strong local station a nd ad-

PARTS LIST FOR

"5UUTAN" CRYSTAL RIG .,-9.Y batt.ry

CI-365.pF tuning ... p .. dlo. e2-0.2·~F. lO-VDe cop .. dlor Dl-l N60 cllode

11-1 OaO-3000.o~m Impedance magnetic

.o.phou

L1-Ferrll ... ntun" coil ILoopotl.kl QiI-5K300l I RCA); HEP-250 (Motorola I RI-1DO,OaO-oh .... 'h,watt .esistor

Crystal Rig

just U'S slug until you hear the station in the phones.

For reception of weaker signals the receiver should be con nected to an ea rth ground such as the cold water pi poe. The longer the a ntenna, t he better the reception, Try 20 feet or more.

To feed Ihe radio's output into an amplifier and speaker. replace the headphone with a rooo-cnm V2·watt resistor. Connect a .1 mfd, 25VDC capacitor from Q1's collector to t he amp I ifier input. Then be su re to connect radio's ground to Ihe amplifier ground.

m Slide Synchronizer

TO RECORDER SPEAKER OUTPUT

en

Soundless slide shows are dull, du II, du II! But a stereo recorder can automate the whole show so slides change automatically in step with the commentary,

Record your commentary on the left track, At the instant you want slides to change, record a one-second noise or tone burst on the right track, Connect the programmer between the reeo rder' s right speaker ou tput and the projector's remote control cable Make a test run to determine the right-track volume setting to make noise or tone bursts activate relay Kl. No fancy tone generators needed here. Just give a hearty Bronx cheer into the mike of the left channel on Iy!

---0 TO

• PROJECTOR

~CO"lr'RO~

KI_

Then start the tape from the beginning. The a udie nee wi II hea r you r cornernta ry or spectacu la r rnusi C'3 nd -soun d reproducti on through a speaker connected to the recorder's left channel. while the signal on the right channel automatically changes the slides.

PARTS LIST FOR SltDE SYNCHRONIZER CI--25-uF, 50·YDC eleetrolyti~ c .. pa~ltor DT, D2-Motorolo HEP·156 Kl-2500·ohm coil plate-typ~ re! .. y Tl-5000-oltm CT audio .uiput

trandprmer

21

fI)'FM

Interference

Filter

PARTS LIST FOR

THE INTER~ERENCE fiLTER

Cl, C2-30 pI' trimmer capacitor Mlle-300-ohm twi"I .... d, metal cablnd RFCI, IFC2--0,22 uH RI' chah, any tVI'" Sl-DPST .Iide swltcb

RFCI

~

;00 Oflkl : TO

TWIN LEAD SIO' RECEiVER

A simple filter is all it takes to remove a .strong, local FM signal that is blocking or cross modulating other FM stations. The filter connects in series with the FM antenna's down lead. Jus! be su re to use the shortest possible length between the fi Iter's output and the receiver. The Jilter must be assembled in a metal cabinet with l,4-in. access holes so you can adjust the trimmer tuning capacitors. The metal cabinet is grounded to the receiver's chassis. Switch S I by-passes the filter for normal opera-

TO ANTENNA

RFC2

tion. If your antenna's' downlead is coaxial cable, only one filter is installed-in series with the center (hot) conductor. To adjust, tune in the offendi ng station and use an insulated alignment screwdriver to adjust trimmer capacitors Cl and C2 for minimum signal strength.

m Simple IF Signal Generator

I,

I

RI

Using a 455· kHz crysta I, th is generator provides a signa I ior te sting and a I igni ng radio IF circuits, The unit is built on a perfboard Or ome other rigid mounting to achieve good Circuit stability, A metal cabinet reduces radiation 50 the signal fed to the receiver will be primarily determined by level control R2.

To align tfle completed circuit, adjust Ll's

PARTS LIST FOR

SIMPLE IF SIGNAL GENERATOR

C': -O.OS.uF, 25·VDC e .. p .. <itor CZ-SO-pF sllvet mi<o capacitor C3-1S-pf silver mica capacitor Ll-1.~-5.8 mH IF coil (J.W. Mllter

21AH1IBI)

91--GE.S np" transi"o. Rl-130,OOO·ollm. 'h·watt resistor 112-S000.obm, potentiometer XTL-455.kHI crystal

slug lor maximum S·meter reading in a receive r or con nact R2 to an osci Iloscape and adjust Li tor maximum output.

Turn the power supply On and off several Ii mes to make certal n t he asci llaror sta rts consistently. If the oscillator fails to start every time, adjust Lts slug slightly until you obtain immediate and consistent starting ea c h time I he power i s ~ ppl ied.

ED Enlarger Meter

Every print a good print! That's what you get with the Enlarger Meter.

Meier 1\111 can be ius I abqZlt a nylh ing up to

28

0·1 DC rnA, Bul ii you prefer low light levels and long exposures: install a sensitive meter or 500 uA or less,

When light aom the en la rger fa II s an the solar cell (PCl), a voltage is generated that is in proportion to the amount of lighl. Sensitivity control R 1 allows the user to set the meier indication to a ccnven ient value.

To lise the meter, first make a good normal print in your normal manner from a No.2 or No.3 negative. Then, do not disturb the enlarger setting, but integrate the light by placing a diffusing disc or opal glass under the lens. Place the solar cell on the easel

PARTS LIST FOil £HLARGER METER "!I-IDa, 250. or 500-mA DC met~r 'C1,....5 .. 1 ... ,,,.11 I Rod; e Shack 276-115) II 1-51100- 0 hm paten t j om e te r Ii n e a r

taper

and adjust RI for a convenient meter reading, say, full scale. 'he meter is now calibrated. When using it, focus the enlarger, use the diffuser, and adjust the lens diaphragm unti I you gel the reference meter reading. Then use the exposure time previously found for the calibration print. Suggested reading: IIford Manual of Photogra phy, obtainable from any photo store. Also, check Kodak publications available at the same place.

MI

+

pcr

RI

m

Voltage TripIer

ct r-- ........ -) +

DI

02

DC OUTPUT

When you need high voltage but don't have a power Iran storrner, a voltage t ri pier may work. It provides DC output approximately three times higher than the line voltage.

Cl is approximately 8 to 20 uF at 150VDC, and C2 and C3 should be a minimum of

100 uF at 300VDr. The larger the value for C2 and C3, the better the filtering.

On the negative ~3If-cycle, Cl charges through diode D2, while C3 charges through Dl. On the positive-half cycle, Cl's charge, plus the Ii ne voltage, cha rges C2 through D3. The output is the voltage across C2, which is the line voltage plus the charge from Cl. plus the added VOltage of C3. The total is almost three times the line voltage.

+

PARTS LIST FOR VOLTAGE T1tIPLU C 1-16-uF. 1 50-Y DC ele~trolytic cap".itDr

C 2, Cl-HO-pF, 300-V DC· electrolytio capacitor

Dl, D2. Dl-IN4007

m Preamp Low-Ripple Supply

J U SI a ha ndful ot com ponen ls a re needed for a line-powered lo.v-voltage low-current 5U pply for pcwe ri ng a ud io prearnpl ii;e rs.

The values for different voltage a~d current outputs are given in the Parts List. Pick 1I1e set you need a nd wi re up.

29

rARTS ~IST FOl LOW·lnl'r~E surny .01 rlEAMPS
Output V r ma.- RI CI R2
12 I inA H,DOO·ohm, \I,-watt 150·uF, Is-Vile lIlD.OOO-ohm, 'h·waH
12 2 mA 22.000- D bm. 'h· watt 2S0-uF. IS· ... UC I 00,0 00·0 hili, ';'-watt
25 2 mA 1I.00O.ohm. 'I"wan 2S0.uF. 3D·VIIC 180.000· ohm, 'h-w"H *For lower C;1.Ir;reFlt~ dcrcreC;Ui. YQrue Qf 12

D1 and 02 are silicon rectifiers rated at a minimum of 200 PIV at any current.

m Low .. V Remote' Control

Us; ng ordinary bell wire you ca n safely control a remote 117 VAC power source, Secret behi nd it a II is a u n iq ue hysteresis relay, K 1. Normally, K l' s coil represents a high impedance; no cu rrent flows' th rough the

KI

r -~.,

1

'I

/I

117VIlC TO

I COIHROLLe:O 1 EQUIPME~T

$\

BELL WIRE

coil so the re lay contacts stay open. When Sl closes the loop on t he hysteresis coil, the i mpeda nee of the rnai n coi I urops. Current flows and the contacts close.

When S 1 is open, the voltage across its termi na Is f rom the hysteresis coi lis approximately 30V, When S1 is closed, current through the hysteresis loop is a I most u nrneasu fa ble. It's safe enough for ordi na ry bell wi re to do the cont roll i ng.

PARTS LIST FOR LOW·YOLTAGE

REMOTE CONTROL Kl ~Hyoter~'i. r~lay (Alc<> I 51-Spot ,witch

Mi.c.~Bell wir ..

rn Voltage Doubler

D!

ACINPUT VOLTAGE

...

DC OUTPU'r '1'0 l TAG E

02

Fou no in rna ny C B t ra nsce ivers, the fullwave vol tage daubler provid es red onably good regu lation wit h DC au tput voltage twice the AC input. Ca pa c itors C 1 and C2

should be 3 minimum of 100 uF and rated at twice t he DC ou tpu t voltage The larger the ca pacity, the greater will be the filier· ing.

On the positive half-cycle. C 1 is charged th rough si I icon diode D 1. O~ the negat ive hall-cycle, C2 is charged through D2, The DC output voltage is the su m of the cha rge across C 1 and C2.

PARTS LIST FOR VOLTAGE DOUBLER

C1, C2~1 OO·u~ electrolytic capacitor or larger. WVCC should be +wlce DC out·

pu·t VQ Ita~e .

01. D2~500·," i Iliampe,e (or lar~"r) reeHi·~i.n9 dl e dc rate,d IP IV ot lees+ twice DC ~utp;'1 .oll~ge

~.

Supply for SSProjects

Though the t ra ns former is n't center-fa pped in this circuit, the bridge rectifier provides

30

tull-wave rectification with an easy-to-fitter DC out pu Lit forms 11 ha ndy supply for

solid- state projects. Silicon rectifiers D 1 th rough D4 must have

The output voltage is equal to tile secon- a PIV rating equal to at lea st the DC output

dary voltage multiplied by 104. Or, working voltage. Their current rating must at least

backwards, the secondary voltage must be equal the current requirements of the proj·

0.707 times the desired output voltage. ect being powe!~d by tile supply.

------------~~~--------------~

SUI'HY FOR ~l.1I0JECT5

fie r-UHIIO 3

Tl-Tran.former: 117·YAC primary, ,H· onda.y volt09_ equal to desired .u'· put yol."qe I 0.707

PARTS LIST feR ,own Cl-2SIIO·uF .. 1 ee+ roIVtic capacitor. volt· ."~,, ra.llIg at lea.t 1.5 'Im". high.r t&a .. OIl'PII' voltag"

er, 02. n.D.-I A. ZOO-PlY ,;".on recti.

)1--,--+

+ CI OUtPUT VOLTAGE

rn Regulated 9 .. V Supply

Providing 9 volts at approximately 250 mA, this lab·type power supply will handle many experimenter projects. Actually, Tl can be a 6.3·V impo..r!ed Ii lament transformer 51 nee they usually give approximately 12 V peak at less than 500 mA output. Change the Zener diode to 12 or 6 volts (and possibly the value of RI) and you get a regulated 12· or 6·voll supply. For 12 volts you must use a 12·V filament transformer. Filtering is very good since Ihe eleClriCill lilter capacitor equals the value of C2 times the gain of Q 1. It can add up 10 thousands 01 f' F,

~ARTS LIST FOR REGULAnO 9·Y POWER SU~"LY

C l-S00-.F, 2S·YDC e Iectro\yti. c.p.c, Ito,

C2-100-.F. lS·YDC .I@d'olytic ClIp.e· itor

OJ-Motorola 1-1£1'·175 SO·PIY dio<l" briefq .. rectifi.r

DZ-Motorola HEP·I04. 9.I.Y Zener di .. d" 91-Motorolo 1-I!1'·240, 10·watt ftpn troll!.istof'

1t1-56Q·ohm, ';' ·wott r.,;'+or

TI-12-Y filgm"nt transform"r (see 'ed)

mCar Voltage for'Q Radios

When your auto radio poops out, this regulated voltage ada pter keeps you in music from a transistor portable until you're read~ to climb under the dash to get ill the trou-

ble and fix it,

Power is taken from the 12·voll auto battery through a cigar lighter plug. The zener diode can be anything with an approximate

PARTS LIST ~OR

CAR VOLTAGE FOR 1;1 RADIO

C 1-G.OS·uF, 400-'1' DC ~apa<itor Ol-I.wa", 9.1-'1' Zenor dl"cI.,.._HEP.I04 PL1-Clgaretle liqhter plug 11-150-ohm, 'h-watl re.i"or

rating of 9 volts. For example, you can use

a 9.1·volt unit (common in Zener kits), or even one rated at 8.6 volts. Make certain the Zener is correctly installed; the end rna rked with a band is the cathode.

The adapter is rated for a current of 12 mA maximum. A good rule of thumb is that a radio powered by a Burgess type 2U6 battery can safely operate on the adapter.

m Zener Regulator'

When the output from an AC power supply is too high for a solid-state project, chop it down to size with a zener diode voltage regu lator and keep it on the button.

To calculate R, first add the load current and 1/20 of the load current for the zener's idling current. Then use Ohm's Law (R = Ell) to ca lculate 'R. The resistor's power rating should be twice thecalculated power dissipated by R.

The power rating for the zener diode is de- ' terrnined by the voltage across the diode squared, divided by diode's nominal interna I resistance You can calcu late the inter-

nal resistance by worki ng backwa rds from the zeners power rating. As an example: a 9-volt, l-watt zener wou Id have a nominal internal resistance of R= E2/W, 81/1. or 81 ohms. II's not precisely accurate but close enough. (No parts list)

R I (SEE TEXT)

HIGH DC IN

+

LOW DC OUT

01 (ZENERl

m Carbon Mike Converter

Good pitching beats good hitting-and a good magnetic mike beats a good carbon mike. This one-transistor carbon microphone converter takes a carbon mike input and converts it to the magnetic variety.

R2

MIC

RI

Note that no ground connection is used, even if the circuit is built in a metal cabinet. MIG is a reptacement-type magnetic element that is substituted lor the original carbon element Using miniature cornpon-

01

2"13~ 94

TO ORIGINAL

CARS ON MIC ROPHON'E CON NECTI 0"1

+

ents the entire converter amplifier can also be housed ill the original micropncns case. To avoid destruction of Q 1, the unit must be connected properly the first time. The

.. -t " lead, which goes to Q I: s collector. COil nects to t he carbon mike input that supplies a positive voltage.

Rl -2200-ohm. 1/1 -wott re-:si!itor R2-68aO-o~m, '(,-walt re,ist.,. Rl-240-ohm, ';' -watt reslstcr

PARTS LIST FOR CARlON MIKE CONVERTER

Cl-l0-uF. 1 O-YDC el~ctrolytic capacitor MIC-Mlcraphone mG'J"etic replacement eleme.,.t

91-2N 3394 npn tron§i.tor

m Dry-Cell Charger

This circuit in a fancy commercial package will cost you about $5. Build a lamp bulb

\ "" (~II

1171:" SL..o+_-,

~c -~

, -:;:- UP TO

~ _It FOUR 1,5V

" _:~_ BATTERIES

_ ... _.J

charger yourself and 50~ may just about do it.

The lamp maintains constant charging of appr oxi mately 20 mA th rough one to tou r

1.5·\'ol~es. But you can go as high as 22.!1";~~:r:\$"jI};ir either batteries in series or a sing ~"1ira1'l:ery,

Give small penlight batteries about 10

PARTS LIST FOR DRY-CElL BATTERY CHARGER

II-No_ S-6 6-watt <Gndelab.a ;amp SRI-lOO-PIY, 1 A ,ilieo" tectifie,-Radio Shack 276-1102

hours charge, the C and 0 cells about 20 hours, Yes, you can recharge NICads starn ped wit hac ha rge rate of a pproxirnately 20 to 25 mAo

m Sideband Scrambler

MO!)ULATIO~ DOUBLE SIOEBA~D

INPUT OUTPUT

CARRIER t~PUT

Feed aud io modu tat lon 10 one in put. a ca r , rier to another and, the. output of this sideband generator wilj b~ upper 'and lower sideba~d with sllpress,el;l carrier. Where is

it used? Try a sideband rig or a telephone speech scrambler. Work the scrambled signal into the modulation input to unsc ra mille .you r speech sc ra rnbler out put,

rn loo-'kHz Freq. Standard

Few shortwave receivers below' the deluxe class have really accurate dial calibration.

But with a 1 DO· kHz frequency standard yOU'll know with great precision where the

.' :1

,,~---

j.

~~ -

I ,

receiver is tuned. The calibrator is a cornrncn-ba oi' I tor producing sufficient signal thrOllJ;!l air if constructed in a plastic cabinet. !lith a metal cabinet, a short antenna approximately 12·in. long should be connected to QI's collector through a 50·pF capacitor. I n some instances the anten na wi II have to be con neeted to the receiver antenna terminal.

rARTS LIST 'OR

100-.HI FREQUENCY STANDARD

II. 12-1.S-Y AAA battery Cl-a.Ol-uf, IO-VDC capacitor C2-200.pF oilver mica capaclt ... Ll--tail,. Z-18 mH

Ql-HEP-641 npn Iron,i.br (Motoralll RI-750,OOO.ohm, 'h·watt ••• I,to. RFC-2.S mH RF choko

51-Spot switch

XTAL-l00·kHI c.y ••• r]

Wiring is not critical and almost any layout will work. If the oscillator doesn't start, change R2' s va I ue by approximately 20 % until you get consistent oscillator operation. If you want to zero beat the crysta I against station WWV. install a 50·pF trimmer in series or in parallel with the crystal. Use wnichevsr can nsction works since the specific crysta I type determ i nes the series or parallel connection.

m Headset Q-Peaker

cuit at approximately 1 kHz. All other sig. rials are sharply attenuated so you hear rnai nly t he signa I you want. Resistor R 1

If you're tired of copying CW signals through the grind without a Q·multiplier on your receiver, the 29¢ Head set Q. peaker is

RI

RECEIVER SPE.o.KER OUTPur TE~MINALS

the next best answer. It's the cheapest route to grea terselettivily.

Capacitor Cl plus the inductance of a magnetic headset form a parallel resonant cir-

PARTS LIST FOR HEADSET Q·PEAKER Cl-O.OOS·.OS uF capacitor I see terti EI-2QOO·ohm ma9ftetic head,,,t

R:-i GO,OOO-ohm. 'Il,waft resi.t.r

isolates the resonant circuit to prevent a receiver's low output impedance from reo ducing the "Q" of the headset circuit.

The exact value of Cl depends on the particular headset. Try different values in the range strewn until the desired resonant trequency or peaking action is obtained.

m Audio Signal Tracer

Rl-2-megahm potefttlameter R2-33,OOO-ahm. 'h·wott resl,tor

R3, R7-2200·ahm, 'h·wot! resistor R4, R 10--4700.ohm, V,·walt r".ido. RS-6B.OOO.ohm. ';'-""0++ re,i,tor 116-22.000-ohm. 'Il·watt resi,to. R8-lS.ahm. 'Il-wett re.!.ta.

119-1 COO.ohm, '!>-watt re,lstor

PARTS LIST FOR AUDIO SIGNI\L TRACER

Cl-,OI·uF, 400. YOC capaelto,

CZ-IOO.gF, 6·YDC eleetrolylk capacitor C3-250-u;, SO·YDC electrolytic capadtor

C4, C6--11l-uF, 2S·YDC electrolytic capadtor CS-200·uF. 6-VDC capacitor

Ql-Motorola MPF·l 0] FEY tra".i.tor O~-2N1393 npft tran.i,tor

9~-~0452 npft Iransiste,

34

Got servicini problems on audioequipment? Then sniff them out quickly with an aud;io signal tracer, This tracer has enough ga in to li,1I headphlmes. with a thu ndering roar on the output from a microphone or magnetic

picku p. Su bstituts a VU meter for the headphones and you can make relative level measurements starting at the pickup' through the power amplifier.

.---~I----~I--~'_'--"'-----O+24V oc

~"'RTS US1" roll 'EASVR_ADIO CONTROL

11-6 volt rante," batto.y CI-'O~"et.~IrDlytl •• epe dto" 1 S VDC ... bette.

C2. Cl-lOO uF ele<tr .. lytic ."pa~ito., 1 5 VDC or better

DI-Germanium 'diode, 1 N 60 or equi •.

.... h '" HEP.US

Qt, Q2-N,PN Ira~,i'ID', 2Nl394 II-I O,OOO.ohm ~pole"ljamele' 1l2'-J20"OOO·ohm,lh.w"tt,'o'i<to, R1-1O,01I0.ohm, 'I"woll r ."i,I". '1l4-22,ODO."hlll, It, -watt r",i.tot

II:Vl, , .... " relay,'oUe, and l"u",6"ld 1S5D·6 or e qulv.

R5

R7

,~

C6 -

+'~

,c . TO METER OR PflONES

+ C5

just a CB walkie-talkie and this radio control unit ls all it lakes to remote. start a tape recorder, trip a' concealed .camera, sound an alarm, or, well, do just about anythi ng that nas to be clone 'over - relatively lcng, wir'eless controldistances. The ra-tlo control senses the audio output of the walkle-T, causing relay Ryl to close, 1 'I05~ Ry! contacts cperate the tape recorder, camera tripper, etc.

Audio cutput frorn a wa lkie-talkie, such as is avalla bleat the remote speaker output i s co nne cted across se ns i livi ty con Iro I R l_ When the walkie-talkie receives a rnodurated,sustained signal such as the sound "ah·h-h· h." relay Ryl ctoses and remains closed as long as the sound is snstalnad,

The unit should be assem bled ina metal cabinet. Adjust sensitivity control R I sliglit·

Iy high er than need eel for dependa ble triggeri ng by the received sou nd.

rn Field Strength Meter

ANT

A kilowatt transmitter may pij. n}edle of regular FSMs (field strength me;~{ but you. need high sensitivity to get ,.-~--o i~gs from low-power oscillators, Ilea power tra nsmillers and Ca'-walkie·talkies. This simple, amplified FSM has a sensitivity 01 150 to 300 times that of ordinary models. It indicates full sea le when other mete rs can't budge oft the pin.

Dependable tree uency range is approximately 3 to 30 MHz_ A metal enclosure is recommended, with ~ stiff wire anten na about 6 in. lang. For com pactness, RfC should be a min iat ure 2.5·m H ch eke,

To operate the unit, sensitivity control R 1 is adj usted for 1'3 to 3;.j - scale read i ng. Avoid working too c lose to t he top ot the

PARTS LIST FOR

FIELD STRENGTH METER

Bl-1.S-Y All. bottery CI-O_Q01.uF. 100-VDC <GPocihr Dl-1N60 diode'

Ml---O-l mA DC meier

Q I-np" Iran,i,1 or-HEP· 726

R 1-S0.0aO-ob m pot~"'i erne ter RFC-2.5-m H oh~'o---J. W. Miller 6302

rn No Parts Be Booster

25 TO 100 FT LOI\IGW1.~ c AN;- E N-Nl\

\

J U 51 a bout any t ra ns i ster radio C~ n be made a "DX hou nd' wit h the No Parts Be Booster _ Si mply bri ng in the end ,)1 a n outdoor "Iongwire" a nterina a nd wrap the end around the radio about 5 limes. Eve!f, bette r reception is pes si bleil you ope,i the radio and wra p a bout 5 tu rn S around the rod a nten na i mmed ia tely adjacent to the ~ntenn~ coil m ou nted on the rod. Ma ke certai n the ends of the an tenna are i nsulated with glass or cerarn ic insu lators,

scale. since it can saturate transistor Q I. prod uc i ng lu 11- sea le readings at a II times. B~c~ off on R I as you make transrnitt er adj ustrnents to kee p I ~e need le at a p proximo [ely ha if sea I e _ An,! high· gain n p n srna 11- si g nal tr ~ no i stor ca n be su bstit uted tor Q 1

1t-.,·S,:JL4TOR

~NSULATOR

POLE

POLE

AN'ENNA {'BOUT 5

rna-Way Tone Generator

Add a term ina! or two an dan ord ina ry CPO (code practice oscillator) becomes a three

36

way threM, serving JS J CPO, lane ge.ier ator Or int ruder a 1<1 rrn.

The circuit is a Harley oscillator whose tone il detll'111lned by R2's valu •• Just about any win", or ~yout wi •. .wot1I," but transformer Tl must be the type used in table radiol. A mini.ture transistor tranl' former might not oscillate, Or if It does, will produce only "clean" hip tones, with no raucous or low frequency tones.

For CPO operation connlCt a hand key acrosl pointl C and D. For' a "make" In· trudar alarm, connect on. or more normally open mqnetic s'llritch •• across points C and D. For a "break';' Intrudar alarm connect •

Itl

,..,.. UST POI

THln·WAY TOMI "INIIATOI 'l-t-Y Mttwy

er, C~"z.. •• JI-YDC MfNIcItw

91_,- tr. HIp.nJ

11-11 'h·w." ... .1 ... ,

0-2 ,.._.I • ...rer

SPIIl-3.J.e_ .,.. ...

n......o.t,Nlt tr • ....,_: _

............ "'_ry .. J.z _.

.... ry ,.1IIt •• t .... 1.1 tre ..

....... fJPe)

R2

CLOSE- CI"CUIT ALARM

jumper across C and D and connect a series wire circuit across A and S, which disables

/the-oscill<ltor though power is applied. A:"I intruder breaking the series circuit, or • nor",aily closed magnetic switch. causes the alarm to sound off.

JUMPER

r--l ~Iri .... tt--.

o B

gil DC

For use as a signal lenerator, connect C and 0 and attach a "hlelded test signal le~ directly acrO$5 the speaker terminals. Service Note: If the unit fails to o5(;llI*te, generally due to transistor differences. change C2's value slightly.

"l~1

C

m Electronic Keyer

This is not the equal of a $50 electronic keyer, but it's a lot earier to use than an

ordinary hand kay.

When the paddle terminal connects to the

tlASH

12VDC + - .....______.----.--o:.

37

dot terminal. Cl starts to char,e. When Cl's voltage causes Ql to conduct. collec· tor current pulls in relay Kl. thereby keyina the trar.smitter. When Kl grounds ttle pad· Jleterminal.Cl discharges. causing Ql to stop conducting and dropping out the relay. When Kl's paddle connection is restored to rround the cycle repeats until the paddle is released.

Dashes work in similar fashion. Potentiometer R 1 sets the dot·dash ratio. potentiometer R2 sets the speed. Potentiometer R5 drops out the relay just before Q 1 stops

conductina and has a slight effect on the

dot·space ratio. .

'Ans LIST FO. ELECT.ONIC KlTlI CI-3-.F. '·YDC ."ct •• lytlc c.'_clt.r C2-10 •• F. '·YDC .I.ctrolytlc c.,.. ..... Dl-1N'0 dl ....

KI-12.YDC y (pa. RS-5DI

91-M.t HI'·253 ,.p t •••• I.t ..

.1-10,8.0 I ..... p .... tl .... t.,

12-50.000 ,."nti.mete.

.3-12 .. ·.11111. '1.·wdt .e.istor R4-560·.h ... 'Il·w.tt •• sistor .S-2.51O·.hm pote.ti.m.ter

m Square ~apel'

R2

R3

SI 0 1,

BI.J!

C2 J

~ ~~

Q2 Rt 0 !~~~RE

: 2N3394 -::- J OUTPUT

battery B1.

CI RI b

--I~"",,"~H SINE WA.vE INPUT

1

A quick-and-dirty square wave generator for audio amplifier tests can be fashioned from a standard signal generator and the Square Shapero Simply drive the Square Shaper with about 1 volt from the generator; thl! maximum output at jack J 1 will be a square wave of about 1 volt peak-topeak. Just about any general purpose smauSignal transistor can be used for Ql and Q2. and any resistance value reasonably close to 470·ohms will be okay for R2 and R3. You can even substitute some surplus PNP transistors such as the 2N404 and 2NI09 by simply reversing the polarity of

'ARTS LIST FOR THE S9UARE SHAPER .1-1.5 Y .. c ..... ttery

er, C2-0.2 .r 0.22 .F. 75 YDe Myl.r

c.'_cit ••

C3-5e .F. 3 YDe electr.lytic cep.clt •• .11-'ho.o ·I.ck

91. 92-M.N tr ••• isto •• 2N3394 .1-100.100- ..... 'f. wett .esistor 12 •• 3-470-.h •• If. wett .. si.tor .4-100.00l·ohm eHio t., ..

po ... tio .. e".

SI-SPST switch

m Headlight Minder

No more dead batteries in the morning; the erator sounds off. You'II know you left the

Headlight Minder lets you knqw. loud and lights switched on. .,

clear. if your lights are on when the ignition 'ARTS LlS~ ~. HEADLIGHT MIND ••

isoff.

When the ignition only is on, the tone circuit is off since there is no complete power path for Ql. Diode Dl prevents positive battery voltage from flowing through Q 1 to the lights. When lights and ignition are on, Ql's collector and emitter are positive and th' tone generator remains off. When the ligl,ts are on and the ignition is off, Ql's (ground) terminal through Rl and the gen-

38

CI-30·.F. ZS·".C c.p.cit •• C2-G.2·uF, 25-YDC c.p.cit •• Dl-SOI.mA. 50-1'IY silico •• ectiA •• 91-HE'·630 pnp transi.to. .,-15,OOO·ohm. 'h,wett r •• ist.r .2-680.ohlll. If. ·watt ••• ist.r Sl-Dpst switch

S'KR-3.2.ohm spee.e. TI-501.0Ilm CT prime.y ta 3.2·oh.

second.ry alldio OlltPlit trellsf ••• e.

chassis. th .... by completina a nelatlw bat· t.ry connectiOn.

Th. unit can be built in a metal cabiMt fast.ned to the car's dashboard so Rl is connected throuah the cabinet to the car'S

TI

18

SPKR

C2

NEGATIVE CAR GROIlIlO

+

DI

m TMma-Blitz· Light

The balliame is over and your car is buried in the parking lot alonl with two thousand other cars of the same color. Only yours isn't lost. Sticking above acres of metal is a little lamp going blink·b/ink·blink.

Mount the No. 49 lamp at the top of the antenna and run two wires down to the control unit inside the car. When switch 51 is turned on the multivibrator makes the lamp blink away. Changing the capacitor's value will vary the blink rate.

PAIITS LIST FOI TEN ..... n LIGHT

11-6·Y battery .

CI-2 •• F. 10.YDC .Iectrolytlc c.,.cltor l1-No.4' pil.t I ... p •

91-op. tr •• .,ltor-HEP.641

92_,.p tr •• sistor-HEP·n'

11-470.0 'I>·watt rollstor

I2-I h"'. '1 •• w.tt roillt.r

13-2700·oh ... '1.·w.tt resist.r 51-Spst switch

II

b

m S-ger for SWLs

overall gain as high as 40 dB from 3.5·30 MHz.

Super sensitivity is the feature of this twotransistor shortwave preselector. It provides

' ... ITS LIST FOI S·NINEI FOR SWLS

54951.. 12·36 MHz use Miller D· 5495· ...

QI-RCA 40468 FET transistor Q2-2N3394 npn tranlistor RI-470·ohlll. 'fl·watt rellstor R2-2400·ohlll. '/.·watt resistor R3-4700.0h ... '/,·watt r.listor

CI-365·pF tun in, capacitor

C2. Cl-O.05·uF. 25·YDC capacitor C4-500·pF. 25·YDC capacitor DI-IN9I4 diode

LI-A.tenna coil: 1.7·5.5 KHz use MiII.r '.5495 .... 5.5·n MHz use Miller C· .;f>

39

Diorte 01. protects against excess gaw volt· age caused' by nearby transmitters. while Qlserves as an emitter follower-to match the medium output impedance of the FET transistor to the low input impedance of the receiver.

SinceQl is a MOSFET type with a gate that's very sensitive to static changes. Ql

must be harodled with a shcrt-clrcuit across all leads until just before power is applied, Also. a soldering iron must not be applied to Ql's leads unless they are shorted.

Ll's connections are specified in the instructions supplied with the coil. An RG· 174U coaxial cable should serve for the output.

ANT

r---------~------~----~+

'voc

4-

2

1t2

c

TO ItECEIVEIt

m Sine Wave Squarer

AI

".E_ .... r 1.. . 1." 1. SQUARE WAVE

~PUT iL J[~----------][._----------J1 OUT~

Two reverse- parallel diodes of the germanium type provide an emergency square wave generator. Since' a germanium diode has an approximate 0.2 V breakover. any sine wave applied to the diodes will be clipped at 0,2 V, It provides a 0.4 peakto-peak square wave. It's not perfect since the "rise"of the original sine-wave is still present. as shown in the-waveform.

To prevent loading and possible distortion of the sine wave input a 1000·ohm resistor should be connected between the squarer and the generator.

'A.TS LIST FO. SINE WAVE S9UA.ER 01. 02--&. .... I .... 'dl04. (ohllost ooy type)

.,-l0 .... oh •• 'h-wott .esistor

m Scope Calibrator-

Back-to-back zener diodes provide a scope Whether the calibration voltage is fed to a calibrator with a zero reference output. scope's AC or DC input. the baseline will

I -- .~ not have to be readjusted.

,A.TS LIST FOR When the top of 01 -gaes positive 01 con-

CHU.PlE SCOPE CALI.IATO. ducts current through to the 02 cathode,

01. 02-S-Y, 'I.-wett Zeller diode The voltage across 02 builds until 5 V is

11-27Oooh.... 'h-wett .esisto. reached and the output waveform is 5 V

40

positive. The reverse action takes place when the top of 01 goes negative, providing an output waveform of 5 V negative. The total result is a 10 V peak-to-peak

12' Iquare wave to-calibrate the scope face,

vAc ~ TO SCOPE cPo T

INPUT T 02 V INPUT

_ ! T 0- -- ---- - I.VH

, ..

m Uni-Torque Speed Control

sc'",

FI

AI

•

..:fF-" ,

;iif: •

TO DRILL

01

m Treasure Locator

the beach; maybe even some quarters and dimes.

This treasure locator keeps-costs down by using a transistor radio as the detector. The unit is assembled on a perf- board, with rigid, component mounting a must. It is strapped to a broom handle close to the bottom where the search head is mounted. A transistor radio is mounted near the top of the handle.

With the radio tuned to a "weak station," Capacitor Cl is adjusted so the locator oscillator "beats" against the received signal, producing a whistle in the receiver. When

As the speed of an electric drill is decrel'sed by loading, its torque also drops. A compensating speed control like this one puts the oomph back into the motor.

,'When the drill slows down, a back voltage developed across the motor-in series with the SCR cathode and gat~ecreases. The SCR gate voltate therefore increases rela· tively as the back voltage is reduced. The "extra" gate voltage rauses the SCR to conduct OYer a larger angle and more current is driven into the drill, even as speed falls under load.

The only construction precaution is an ex-

R3,

AI

'f

R2

You won't find Long John Silver's buried treasure but you will have lots of fun finding bottie caps and uneaten sandwiches at

C3

tra·heavy heat sink for th" SCR. The SCR should be mounted in a It4 -ln. thick block of aluminum or copper at least r-ln, square; 2·in. if you drill for extended periods.

'Ar.TS LIST FOI

UNI·TOI9UE S'EED CONTIOL

01, D2-50o..-A, 200 .. , sllIe .. rectllor FI-3·A "SI.obI." ....

11-25 5·watt reslst.r

12-250 4·wo" poteatl ........

13-33·.h .. , V.·watt resl.tor SCII-3·A, 20 .... ' sille •• e .. trelled

rectHior

41

the search head passes over buried metal, the metal changes the inductance of Ll, thereby changing the locator oscillator's frequency and changing the "beat tone" in the radio.

The search coil consists of 18 turns of #22 enameled wire scramble wound (which means don't be neat) .on a 4·in. diameter form, which can be a cardboard tube or a wood puck or even plastic-anything but metal. After the coil is wound and checked for proper operation, saturate the coil with coli dope or G.E.'s RTV adhesive. If a single loop of the coil is not firmly cemented the unit will be unstable.

rAm LIST FOR TRIASURI LOCATOI "-'·VIC tru,l,ter kttItry Cl~".,. trl .... er .r v •• I .... c.,.cl.

to. -

C2-100.,F, 100.' 111.,. ... Ic. c.,.clter C3-O.0S·.F, 25·' IIllc c.,.clto. C4-S·uF, 12.' elect •• lytlc c.,.cltor L1-Soo.ch coil c •• slstl •• of ,. t •• 1I1 of

#22 ...... 1 wire sc .... bl. w ••• 11 o. 4.;ft. 1I1.",.t •• f ....

91--GE·5 .,. t ••• ,lst ••

11--610· .... , 'h·w.tt '.llstor 12-10,000-.h .. , 'h-wott •• sl"o. 13-47,"0. .... , 'h,wott '.llst ••

III Latching Burglar Alarm

TO AODITII)NAL SWITCHES

.. ITS LIST FOI

LATCHING IUIGLAI ALUM

11-6-' I ...... botte.y

IIL ......... 'DC .1 ..... boll

"'--6-'DC d' .. · .. loy-'.1 l .. lIDY 51-Spat •.•• switch

Open a fancy commercial burglar alarm and all you'll find inside is this ordinary relay latching circuit.

Th. input terminals are connected to parallel·wired normally open (N.O.) magnetic

BELL

switches, or wire·type security switches stretched across a window that close a ball contact circuit when the wire is pushed or pulled.

When a security switch closes the series battery circuit, relay Kl pulls in. One_ set of contacts close the alarm bell circuit, while the second set "latches" the battary circuit. Even if the security switches are opened, the alarm remains on. To disable the alarm, or for reset, install a concealed switch in series with one battery lead.

W Light-Controlled Switch

A flashlight beam stabs out-the irritating TV commercial for underarm deodorant vanishes. Moments later, when the program returns, the flashlight beam stabs out again. The sound snaps back on. Between the flashlight and TV speaker circuit is the light· controlled switch.

42

When a beam ot light strikes the photocell, the voltage across neon lamp NE·l rises sharply. When conduction voltage is reached NE·l turns on and fires the SCR. Kl is an impulse relay whose contacts stay in position even after coil current is reo moved. So the first impulse opens Kl's con-

tIet., the second impulse close:! them, etc. To prevent ambient lilht from trippin, the

117VAC-

photocell, it shoull! be recessed at tea!>t an inch in.ide a metal or cardboard tube.

o • TO CONTROLLED o • CIRCUIT

KI

CL704 or CL7DS for low 1I,lIt 1 ... 1 IU-22,DOO·olIlII. '1 •• watt r •• istor 12-1.III09ohlll pate.tiolllot.r 13-1oo."hlll, 'I.·watt resistor SCI1-GEC'1 slllcon·contr.lI.d •• diti.r

PAITS LIST FOil LlGHT·CONTROLLED SWITCH

Dl-ZlO.PIY sllic.n dlodo

111--6.ordla. 11I·610 .... AlIS lotchl., re!oy

N.-HE·I) ".011 10lllp PCl-ClolroxCLSOS f.r hi,h Ii,ht 1.".1;

m Scream Generator

C2

RI

b

01 HEP-53

112 •

CI +

113

A real screamer! Use a publlc-address type amplifier and horn under the hood of your car and you'll punch a hole in the tightest

b

02 HEP-702

SPKR

52

traffiC jam. (Be certain, of course. that you hold a position that entitles you to a siren.) Build this screamer in a small box and hold

43

ffiBudget Lamp Dimmer

'AITS LIST FOI SCIEAM GENERATOIS 11-6-Y 0 •• 12·' batte.y

CI-30-.F. 15·YDC elect.olytic copacito. C2-O.02·.F. 75·YDC copaci,lo• 91-Moto.olaHE'·53 .p. t.a.sisto. 92-Moto.ola HE'·702 p.p t.ansisto. II. 12-56.000·ohm. 'f2·watt .e.isto. 13-27.000·ohm. 'f2·watt .esisto. SI-Spst switch

52-N.O. pushbutton switch S'KR--I·ohm sp.ake. 0' 'A ha ...

With miniature components and extreme care you can build a low power lamp dimmer right into a socket. Without a heat sinkr I Triac Ql handles up to a 400,watt lamp. Instead of a relatively expensive trigger diode. an ordinary neon lamp of the NE·83 or NE·2 variety can be used. (An NE·83 is treated for dark operation and will provide more consistent operation.)

Because the neon does not trip the gate until it conducts, the lamp turns on at medium brilliance. The lamp can then be backed off to a soft glow. Because the neon

RI

the PA mike 2·3 inches from the 8·0~,m speaker. Press push- button switch 52 and the siren starts up, shifting to a higher frequency. Release it and the tone slides down until you send it up again by punching 52. Adjustment of overall tone quality is made by changing C2 to another value. If the siren pulsates before the pushbutton switch is pressed. Ql is too "leaky." Try a different transistor.

'AITS LIST FOI IUD.ET LAM' DIM MEl C:1. C2-O.06l·.F. 200·YDC ca,acl+or I1-NE·81 0. NE·2 HOft lalllp

. 12-lI<te •• a'lalllp .. ot +0 •• ceed

400 watts ~n-ICA 40502 T.iac

11-'50.ooO'ohlll. po+o .. tlo .

12-15.000.011111. '1"watt Ist ••

drops out when the applied yoltage falls below the neon holding voltage of approxi·. mately 40V the lamp cannot be adjusted as low as it can with a diode trigger.

d

CI

I,7VAC

. m RF Probe for VOM

DI

IELDED CABLE

CI ~~~~~~~TO YOM

RF INPUT

RI

Assemble this accessor, in a metal can. add a shielded cable and you'lI make relative measurements of RF voltages to 200

44

'AITS LIST FOI IF 'IOIE FOR YOM CI-5011-pF. 400·YDC capacitor C2-O.001·uF. disc ca,aclt •• DI-IN414t diode

11-15.000.0 .... '1,·watt ••• ~.to.

MHz on a 20.000 ohms-per-volt multimeter. RF voltage must not exceed approximately lOOV. the breakdown rating of the lN4l49.

W Sideband "Si~eman

ANT across the broadcast band. Oscillator har·

,1-. monies extend to the; higher shortwave fre·

\1/ quencies where they '"beat" against CW

,. and SSB stations. If provides standard

,_.'-- _ _'_.., BFO tone reception of CW signals and reasonably good reception on moderate to strong SSB signals.

Once C2 is adjustecf to the proper beat fr.,queney;lh-e BFp is positioned near the "transistor radio for optimum reception. No antenna is needed if the unit is assembled in a plastic cabinet.

The BFO can also be used as a radio· type code practice oscillator with a range of approximately 20 feet. Connect a 10·ft. antenna on a nearby BC radio. To send Morse code, insert a key in series with one bat· tery lead.

Placed near a multi band transistor porta' ble, this BFOallows reception of CW and SSB. signals in addition to the normal reo ception.

The BFO is a Hartley oscillator tunable

ILl I

I

'Am LIST PO.

lPO PO. SlDEIAND SlDEHAN

" Cl, C3. C4-0.05.F, ZS-YDC ce,.clter

e:Z--360·" varl c.,.clter

Ll--T.,,. .. Ie: c.1I

91-6E·5 tr I.tor

.,--J200.0 Va·wott .... lator

1J--6I. '/i.wott re.lster

m Budget 10V Swinger

RI

+

TOSC~ 1l_ v INPUT

OV

You can rnaka accurate voltage measurements with your oscilloscope if you calibrate the vertical input with a Scope Calibrator.

When the top of zener diode 01 goes negative it conducts and voltage across the di-

'A.TS LIST PO.

IUDG..ET lOY SWINGER

lft-l0yji.4-w.tt Zour 4i"'-ttEMOl .,-2'700 ...... 'Ia·w.tt rosI.ter n-177t. 12.' YAC 11._"

DI

SCOPE TRACE

ode is essentially. zero. When the voltage at the top of the zener goes positive, it builds until it reaches 10 V. At that point the diode conducts. dropping five volts across 01. The result is a square wave which varies from zero to 10 V, as shown. The scope's vertical input is connected across the diode and the vertical attenuator control is adjusted so the square wave exactly fills one vertical division. This provides a calibration of 10 V peak-to-peak per division. The scope's vertical attenuator then provides multiples of the. calibration

45

such IS 1 V/div •• 1(, V/div .• etc. Since . cellbrator ,output varies from zero volts it

may be necessary to adjust the vertical centering when the scope's DC input is used •

m·Mike Matcher

Try to run a high impedance mike line for ·more than 25 feet and you're sure to get high frequency losses and hum pickup. But this simple junk· box project mountedIn I small metal enclosure on the mike stand will convert the mike's output to a low Impedance that can run for hundreds of feet without hum pickup or losses. The output can be run into any microphone

.AITS LIST fIOl MIllE MATCHEI .'-1.1 .... AA ...... ry

CI-1I ••• J 'DC electrolytic c.,.clte,

91-111e1t1 t tro.""., ,_ .....

11_,_.... 1!J ........ 1 ... '

IIJ-U II, _tt ....utor

.,-1PST _ItO

TO HIGH-Z MICROPHONE

S CI r-LOW-Z OUTPUT

Rl TO .llo\P

input rated from I50·ohms up to high lmpedance. The circuit serves only to convert high to low impedance; it provides no amplification. A metal enclosure must be used. The Field Effect Transistor. Ql. can be just about any surplus N-channel type. such as the Motorola MPF-I03.

W Super Mike Mixer

RS

For serious recording of anything other than

PAITS LIST POI SUPEI MillE MIXEI CI. C4-0.0S..F.l .. 'DC c.p.cl .. ,

Cz. CI-2S. ••• "'DC elect'olytlc

..,.clte,

ca. C6-1.l·.'. ZS.'DC c.p.dt.,

91. 92-M ,.1. HEP·IOI FIT t,a .. llt.,

11. Il-Z , 1/ ralll'"

U. 17-61 1I •• watt 1 '

13 ••• -"0 I!J ro .,

,14. 19-100 11410 ......

.......,

U. 1, ' 1I.·.att ra.I ,

46

1,1

RIO

OUTPUT

~

speech and sound effects, two mikes are always better than one. Our super mike mixer does its mixing after amplification so the amplifiers compensate for the mixer loss first, thereby improving the signal-to· noise ratio as compared with simple mixers thaf mix first and amplify after the mixer. Using FET semiconductors with their high input impedance, this basic mixer can be used with high impedance crystal and ceo ramic microphones. It does not attenuate low frequetiCy response wr.atsoever throu,h low impedance loading of the mlcrophone. The mixer's response is 10 to

(

2O,OOO1iertz. .

Two mixers can be built into the same cabinet for stereb use. Even with two independent (stereo) mixers, current drein·is on the

order of a few milliamperes and two seriesconnected transistor 2U6·type batteries can be used.

m Dynamic Brake

Give it a shot of direct current, and any AC power tool motor will instantly stop. No more free-running power saws or drills with the Dynamic Brake. The unit must be assembled in a metal enclosure as the enclosure provides the heat sink for silicon rectifier 01. This diode has only one solder terminal, the case is the second terminal. Place a single strip of plastic e.lectrical tape on the bottom of SRI's case, thoroughly coat SRI's case with epoxy adhesive and cement SRI to the enclosure (heat sink). When the adhesive is dry solder one con-

p~m LIST FOIt DYNAMIC lltAIE PL1-AC pi ..

S.,-JUlc.. rectHl.r, 200 PlY, 20 A. ' ....... 1 Electric IN3210, A4011 Sl-SPDT IWItC" C .... r .. , 0 •• sid. "-rl .. rotan

MIsc-Motol c.bl ...

PLI

HEAT ON Sl (SPRING \

SINK~ OFF""'_" R!;TURN)

~I,) DC jt_____

TO POWER TOOL MOTOR

necting wire directly to SRI's case, the remaining wire connects to the terminal. Polarity is not important; any wire can go to any SRI terminal.

Switch SI is a center-off, one side spring return. With SI on, AC will be fed to the motor and the motor will run. To brake the motor, simply press SI down and II quick shot of DC will instantly stop it. The switch returns to the center off position when released. This Dynamic Br~ke can only be used with AC motors; it will not brake universal (AC·DC) motors.

[II Headphone Limlter

Most receivers don't provide automatic vol-

ume control on code reception. Thus a CW signal that blows your headphones off one moment might lie buried on the threshold of hearing .the next. The Headphone Limiter chops those S9-100 signals down to size until they equalize with weaker signals, giving relatively constant headphone vol-

ume. Because the clipping action produces some distortion, the limiter should feed a headphone Q-peaker (described in another circuit). The value of Rx should match the existing speaker impedance and power. In most cases this will be equal to 4 ohms at 2·5 watts.

TO

RECEIVER Rx DI D2 ~~~ADPHONES

4---'_~~-4~_'_'~'PEAKER

PARTS LIST FOR HEADPHONE LIMITER

Dl, D2-1N60 diode .'-S0DD-ohm oudio taper potentlomet.r Rx-See te"

~ P~:rtable CB Antenna

A large antenna always beats the small one, so why use a dinky loaded whip for portable work? Make your own coaxial antenna from

a length of RG-59U coaxial cable.

Cut away the outer insulation for l08 inches and fold the shield braid back along

47

or window. Attach the lower end of the cable to your transceiver. I(.eep away from metal poles and buildings.

the cable. Attach a glass or ceramic insulator to the end of the center conductor and hang the antenna from a tree, roof, pole

TOP

HANGE.R - reENTER CONOUCTOfI J _I

~RO _ ""'" _ r - loa". .. ~ ... : •• -- "';10 10'''_____'

~GLASS IHSULATOfI tJ~=z:.-========:))-~~

RG-5t/U T cOAXIAL LINE

TO CI RIG

IOTTOM

m Budget Mike Mixer

Using components often found in an experimenter's junk box, this two·channel mike mixer handles high impedan~ or dynamic microphones. Level controls 'In and R2 should not be run wide open with, hi-Z mikes 'since the input impedance then becomes the value of R3 and R4. or 100.000 ohms. If a hi·Z mike is loaded by less than 1 megohm, the low frequency response of the mike is attenuated.

Transistor 01 can be almost any general purpose type such as the 2N 107 or 2N217. However, the better the transistor. the better the signal-to-noise ratio. Top quality high-gain transistors should not be used since relatively high leakage current of ex-

I!J!!!~

CI

r

INPUT I

peri menter-grade transistors provides the base bias current. Transistors with low leakage might produce high distortion because of low "internal" base bias.

P".TS LIST FOI '''DGET MIKE MIXEI II-t-y Htt.ry

er, C2-O_1·.F. ,"VDC c.p.cl"r C3-II'· ••• 15·VDC .lectrolytic c.paclt .... ,,-Pap •••• r.1 p.rpo .. traMhter.

.1.2

II. 12-2 !HII per peteM.-

.Meter

.3 •• 4-1 Va·w.tt resiltor

15=15 '/a·watt reslst.r

SI-S,lt Iwltc.

II

1

1'5

OUTPUT

W Scope Calibrator

Operating on exactly 100 kHz, the Scope eral purpose scopes. If the scope is set, for Calibrator provides a reference for calibrat- example, so one cycle of the signal fills exing the variable time base oscillator of gen- ,actly 10 graticule divisions, each division

4!l

It2 "1
+
'TOl2
VDC
XTALCJ ftl c
TO SCOPE
C3 VERTICAL
INPUT
~ CI represents 1 MHz, or 1 microsecond. If the scope is adjusted fur 10 cycles on 10 ,rati· cule divisions, or 1 cycle per division, each division represents 100 kHz or 10 microseconds. Now if the scope's time base osclllator is sulticiently stable so it doesn't drift too far off, you can make precise measurements of an unknown pulse width, length

and frequency.

'AITS LIST POI SCO,,, CALI.RAfOl CI, Cl-O.O'·.F, 2S·YDC c.p.clt.r C2-O.002·.F, 25·YDC capacitor fril-HE'·720 .p. tra •• lstor

11-100,000..11., If •• waft Ist.r

12-1000-011., If •• wait ,st.r

Xtal-l00·IIHa crystal

m NiCad Battery Charger

01

'AITS LIST FOR

NICAD IATTERY CHARGER

Cl-IOo..F, SO·Y capacitor

DI-SOO.mA, 100·PIY .iII~Oft rectifier QI--tO·W, pftp powel "istor RI-2000·ohm potentiometer T1-24.YAC, II7·YAC primary filam •• t

tr •• sformer

•

~1

0-25VDC • + 500 mA mal.

I

Providing an adjustable output voltage up to 35 VDC and maximum output current of 500 mA, this battery charger handles just about any NiCad battery used by expertmenters and consumer equipment. Transistor Ql must be mounted on a heat sink (which can be a metal cabinet). Since Ql's case is also the collector connection it must be insulated from the cabinet.

m Appliance Tester

PARTS LIST FOR APPLIANCE TESTER

Fl--Fuse to m.tch load I1-S0.watt lamp P.~I_AC receptacle

A simple circuit consisting of a 50 watt lamp, fuse and power outlet is all that's

49

needed to check out appliances such as toasters and electric coffee pots.

To check fOr opens, first plug the tester into a live outlet. Next, connect the. test leads to the appliance's power cord; if the lamp lights the circuit is good (not open). Because the appliance is in series with the lamp the lamp may not light to full bril· liance .. You are only interested in whether the lamp lights at all-not the level of brilliance.

If you suspect there is a short from the appliance's motor or heating coil to the appli-

ance frame which can cause a shock hazard, connect one test lead to the appliance frame and connect the other test lead first to one prong of the appliance's plug and then to the other prong. If the lamp lights with either connection there is a short to the frame. If the lamp fails to light at all, the appliance frame is safe.

After the repair is made tryout the appliance by using the fused power outlet, PLl. This way, if the appliance is still defective it will blow fuse F1 rather than a fuse in the basement.

EE Low-Voltage Diode Tester

striction is that a diode under test be rated to handle at least 60 rnA. Diodes such as the IN34 cannot be checked since test current is too high.

If the diode is good, the lamp will light in one direction, and remain dark when the diode is reversed. If the lamp stays on when the diode is reversed, the diode is shorted. If the lamp stays dark when the diode is reversed, the diode is open.

To test diodes rated under 60 mA, a lower Low voltage signal diodes are easily tested 'current lamp must be substituted in the with this "go/no- go" checker. The only re-, checker.

NO,4t~AMP (60 inAI

+

+ ~;i:4~'r RESISTOR]

_ m~E

-:::- 6V . UNDER

~ TEST

- 0

m Silicon Rectifier Tester

This simple GO/NO·GO tester spots defective rectifier diodes before they are connected into a circuit. It is intended only for silicon rectifiers rated higher than 200 rnA and indicates open and shorted condltions.

The lamp must be as specified: 120 V at 25 watts. Do 'not use a larger lamp or the diode might be destroyed.

Close switch SI to check the lamp by turning it on. Connect the diode both ways, opening SI for the test. One way the lamp should go on; reversing the diode should

cause the lamp to extinguish. If the lamp stays on in both directions, the diode is shorted. If the lamp stays out in both directions the diode is open.

LAMP

120Y, 25 WATTS

]!~

fE' CB Tuning Adapter

A crystal·controlled CB rig with overtone crystals and an IF of 1300 to 1500 kHz

so

can be converted to full 23·channel tuning with this adapter. It works on circuits where

PAITS LIST FOI CI TUNING ADAPnl Cl-lO.;F Illvor Mlc. c.,.clt.'; CZ-17.S·,F trl", .. or c.,seit.r C3-3.·,F v.rl.ltte c.,.citor C4-.47.,F, ,.O.YDC tllic c.p.c1tor L1-C.II, 5 tur.s #16 o •• lIIolod wire

w •• lld o. 1·1 •. til •. for ... Sp.ced 1 I •• ontl to .lIti

the crystal connects from oscillator grid to ground.

Use a I·in. wood dowel for U's form. Wind the coil as tightly as possible and stretch it to a length of 1 inch. Connection is made to the transceiver with the shortest possible length of RG·58A/U coaxial cable. The shield connects to the transceiver's chassis and to the bottom end of U.

Set C3 so its plates are fully closed, then

(0 CIIYSTAI:.

SOCKET

CI

adjust C2 until channel 1 is received. De· pending on the IF frequency, C3 might tune slightly more or less than the full band. If so, change Cl's value very slightly to ob· tain only 23·channei coverage with C3. Making Cl smaller narrows the tuning range.

f.E Speech Snipper

An effective speech clipper for transmitters and PA systems can be made from only two diodes and a capacitor.

, Connect the diodes to the collector of the microphone preamplifier, the stage with at

__ least a IV peak-to-peak audio output voltage. The diodes clip at approximately .2V, allowing overall amplifier gain to be lncreased without speech peaks producing overmodulation or excess peak power output.

Capacitor Cl's voltage rating must be at least equal to the DC supply voltage at the

tVOC

MIKE PIIEAMP

preamp collector. If the preamp uses a negative supply, reverse CI's polarity. The output level to the rest of the amplifier is deterMined by R 1. If the diodes cause dis· tortion in the preamplifier, add resistor Rx, as shown. Use the necessary value between 1000 and 10,000 ohms.

I PAITS LIST FOI SPEECH SNIPPEI Cl-100·u' electrolytic capacitor

(see ted)

CZ-O.l •• F c.pacitor Dl, DZ-1N60 tliode

Il-.lS,OOO.ohlll; audio tap.... potentlom. eter

1.-5 •• t .. t

Ill( " ... ./'..,....- ... ---- .. -4-1

01

02

III

OUTPUT

fI] CB Modulation Lamp

less than buck is all that's needed to be certain that what you cut into the mike is

51

really getting to your sky hook. Working directly from a minute sample of the transceiver's RF output, the Modulamp will glow only if there is a carrier output and modulation. So if no one replies to your call and the lamp glows in step with your rnodulation, you can at least be certain it's not the transceiver that's at fault. If the unit is built into a small metal box, jacks J 1 and J2 should match the existing transmission line connectors. If you build the Modulamp directly into your transceiver, simply connect capacitor Cl to the RF output jack (and forget about Jl and J2). To adjust, simply talk into the mike in ycur normal voice and adjust trimmer potentiometer R2 until lamp II flashes in step with the modulation. If 11 will not flash regardless of

PA.TS LIST FO.

THE CI MODULATION LAMP

Cl-5 pF, 500 VDC cor •• lc disc C2-10l pF, 500 VDe cor •• lc disc Dl-G.rmollliulII d'odo, 1 H6D

11-6 or .' volt, 30 to .0 -.l .i1.1 ..... lamp

Jl, J2-C.o"i.1 ,.clr.

fjll-NPN tro.sistor, 2N3393 or oq.iv.

I ... torll

.'-10,OOO.ohm, If. watt ... Istor 1U-10,OOO •• hlll ,otoot,o_+.,.

R2's adjustment, substitute a hither gain transistor for Ql (try a 2N3392). Just about any transistor rated 250. mW or more will work.

fIj CB Scope Stretcher

TO THANSMITTER OUTPUT

PARTS LIST FOR CB SCOPE STRETCHER Cl, C2-5pF silver mica capa<:itor Cl-45.pf trimmer capacitor

LI--l turns #22 solid, p'astic-insulated wire, adJacent to ground end of L2 L2-4 turns #18 enameled wire, centered on form

I-'I.·in. RF sluC).tuned coil form· IJ. W.

Miller 4400·21

Critical inspection of 'a transmitter signal and accurate measurement of modulation is possible only with an oscilloscope. Unfortunately, a CB transmitter's RF output is so

52

C2

TO SCOPE

C3 VERTI CAl. PLATES

low the scope pattern IS barely discernible -unless you use this booster. Since a scope's vertical plate connections operate at a high input voltage, it requires that a CB transmitter's output be fed to a resonant circuit to step up to high RF voltage. The circuit shown will just about fill a 5-in. scope from edge to edge with virtually no loss at the transmitter.

First. wind L2 on the center of a %·in. slug· tuned form. Then wind L1 adjacent to the ground end of L2. Connect II across the transmitter output with the CB antenna system also connected.

Adjust L1 's slug for minimum standing-

, Wave ratio (SWR). If the coil is correctly made, there should be no change in the antenna system's SWR. Adjust C3 for the de· sired scope trace height; it may ,be necessary to reset Ll each time C3 is adjusted.

Note that you must use your scope's vertical plate connection. The RF signal can't· travel through the vertical amplifier unless

. your scope happens to cost a kilobuck or more.

mCB XmissioD Line Monitor

This monitor "steals" an insignificant amount of power, yet keeps constant watch on a CB rig's RF output. If a failing tube starts to drop the output, the line monitor immediately lets you know if.

The device can be built in a separate metal cabinet or customized into the transceiver's cabinet.

Wiring between DI,RI, R2, and CI must

.AITS LIST FOI

C. TRANSMISSION LINE MONITOI

C1-O.D01·.F. 1DO·YDC eli.e capaclt.r D1-1N'14 dlod.

Ml-t-1 mA DC m.ter

It-!sOO·ohm. 'Iz,watt resistor R2-tO.'OO·ohm pot •• tlometer

be as short as possible. The loop consists of four OF five turns of insulated, solid hook· upwire wrapped around an exposed part of

/flie output coax cable. Remove a part of the

shield at: a point near theRF output jack, for example. An alternate, pickup is about 6 ill. of wire slipped under the coax shield. If the shield is broken, solder a heavy copper wire to join the broken ends to avoid messing Lip your antenna's transmission line.

LOOP

,RI R2

Vary the number of turns in the loop to secure approximately half-scale meter indication. Potentiometer R2 serves as a coarse sensitivity control.

Ell Candle Power Control

Wi.th only a handful of low:cost components fFy;Y;~"'!"'.~""!;J!J

this photo relay turns a light on or off ac- ,

cording general room illumination.

QI can be any general purpose pnp transistor of the 2N 109 or 2N217 variety, though greater sensitivity is obtained with the 2N2613 type. Relay Kl is a high-sensitivity type like the Sigmas used by model radio control hobbyists.

Potentiometer R2, part of a voltage divider consisting of photocell PCl, Rl and R2, is

_BI

e ' l-: 6VOC

QI

SK3004 51

• ON-OFF

II P~~TROL

L-()CIRCUIT

.ARTS LIST FOR CANIIU

POWER CONTROL '1-6-V battery

KI-l00D-ohr., 2-3 iliA sensitive reloy 'Cl~RCA 4425 photocell (RCAI IjU-SK-3004 I RCAI pnp transistor 11-120-ohm, 'I.-wott resistor R2-5000-ohlll pote!ttiometer

l-Spst switch

set so that with normal illumination tailing on PCl the base bias current (through PCl) is just below the value needed to generate the collector-emitter current required to activate relay Kl. "'hen additional light falls on PCl, photocell resistance decreases, thereby increasing the base bias, which causes greater collector current to flow and the relav closes,

This circuit can be controlled by sunlight

53

so Kl drops out at dusk to tum on a night liCht. Or use a ftashlilht to trip Kl for "kill-

inc" TV commerelals by shortinc the TV speaker connections.

fli] Remote Flash

RI

QI LASCR

TO SYNC TERMINALS

Even if you spend $18 or $20 for a superduper professional remote flash tripper, you'll get little more than this twocomponent circuit. Price is important if the results are equal.

Transistor Q1 is a light-activated sillccncontrolled rectifier (LASeR) .. The gate is tripped by light entering a small lens built into the top cap.

To operate, provide a s-tn. length of stiff wire for the anode and cathode connections and terminate the wires in a polarized

power plug that matches the sync terminals on your electronic flashgun (strobelight). Make certain the anode lead connects to the positive sync terminal.

When using the device, bend the connecting wires so the LASeR lens faces the main flash. This will fire the remote unit.

No reset switch is needed. Voltage at the flash's sync terminals falls below the LASeR's holding voltage when the flash is fired, thereby turning off the LASeR.

PARTS LIST FOR REMOTE FLASH 91-300-Y light-activated sllicon-

c .. ntrolled rectifier (~ASCR) RI-47,OOO-ohm, 'fl-w.tt resistar

m RPM Speed Control

PARTS LIST FOR RPM SPEED CONTROL

Cl, C2-0.I-uF, 200-YDC capacit.r GI-RCA 40431 Triac-Diac RI-l00,OOO-ohm linear taper

potentiometer

R2-1 a,OOO-ohm, I-watt resistor

Old universal appliance motors and shadedpole induction motors salvaged from inexpensive turntables can be easily converted to slow-speed hobby drills, chemical stirrers, van-speed turntables movable display drives, etc. It's done with a full-wave Triac speed controller.

Unlike other speed controllers, which reo quire an external trigger device, Q1 cornbines both the Triac and Diac trigger diodes in the same case.

The motor used for the load must be lirn-

ited to 6 amperes maximum (or 740 watts). Triac Q1 must be provided with a heat sink, which can be the metal cabinet. Build up a merble-stzs mound of epoxy on the cabinet and insert QL's case into the epoxy. When the epoxy hardens the Triac's heat is dissipated to the cabinet, Make certain Ql's case is not shorted to he cabinet and 'is insulated by the epoxy.

With the component values shown on the parts list, the Triac controls motor speed from full off to fuil on.

[E Wink and Blink

If a light blinks and winks someone will stop and look-and that's the purpose 'be·

54

'1.iM this attention·grabl:>€c.

·1"" ~f is first a :.. ;e~:L current

through Q2 and lamp' L1 lights. Then. feedback through capacitor C2 causes Ql to conduct. As Cl discharges through Q2's base. Q2 is turned off. thereby extineuish· ing the lamp; When Cl'!: voltage equalizes. Q2 turns on again and the cycle is repeated •.• flip·flop. flip· flop. Potentiometer R2 determines the tlip- flop rate. hence, the blink rate.

"Junk box" pnp transistors (instead of npn types) can be substituted if polarity is reo versed at the battery, Cl and C2.

RI

'Al'i'SLI~T fOl WINK AND .UN!!

Cl-l ll-VDC eI.ctrolytic c.,.clte,

C2-3 1.·YDC electrolytic e .... cl .. ,

Cl-f.2 •••• 25-YDC "tlftlt.,.

II-N •. 49 p ... ' I ... p -

91. 9%-ep. t' ••• I.t ...... HIP·72l

RI--4700.. 'I.·w.tt reslst.r

12-1."' p , ........

Rl. R4--10.000· 'I.·w.tt resl"'r

R5-121 •• Io"" 'l2·w.tt resister

R3

R2

c. 9-~'_"";+:...fI--"_'

C3

I.

In Modulation Monitor

01

This simple modulation monitor for AM ham transmitters requires no connection to the transmitter. Just position the loop near the final tank or antenna matching coil un-

PARTS LIST FOR

MODULATION MONITOR

Cl-l00·pF "l.~ c.,.clt.r

Dl-l "914 " .

El-",., .. tlc " 2000 r

bettor -.

Ll-coll. l tu.s •• 1'/2·1 ....... f.rM. us ••• y t.'. 9 •• '. wlr.

til the signal is heard in the headphones.

m Click Clack Timer

Providing equally spaced clicks from 3 to 300 per minute, this click generator is ei-

ther an electronic metronome or an interval timer, say, for photo enlarging.

55

Transistor Ql functions as an amplifier, but positive feedback from n's secondary to Ql's base- causes the circuit to regenerate. This produces a steady stream of clicks in the speaker. The rate of oscillation, or number of clicks per minute, is determined by RI's setting.

With a little time and patience, a dial affixed to Rl '5 shaft can be calibrated in "beats

CI .

..

Itl

R2

II -sr ,12,-

S',,\

per second" by comparing the output of the click generator with a standard metrenome. A calibration point for "one click per second" can be marked on the dial for photo exposure control.

If the generator does not click when power is first applied, interchange the two leads from n's secondary. Do not interchange the speaker leads! Note: n's 3000·ohm winding is not used .

.. AIlS LIST FOI CLICK CLACK T ... EI ." 12-I.S·Y D battery

CI-IO •• F, '.YDC .Iedr.'yfie e.'_clt ••

91- t ••• 1cI HE ...... , .p. tru.i.t.r

IlI-I h ... p.t •• tl.m ....

12-7500·.lIm, '/2·w .. t ••• ist.r SI-Sp.t .witcll'

SPKIl..,..3.2 •• hm, 2'1 •• i ... IIi •.• pe ..... n-500 t. 3.2.10111 miniature .,,111.

tr ••• i.t.r tr •• sformer-L.f .. yetto 1l.lIi. "·61327

m Radio Pager

Small enough to fit into a Cigarette pack, this pocket pager produces a low-output Signal on the Citizen's Band (27 MHz) suitable for pag"lg inside a building. The signal is strong enough to be heard on a standard

.. AITS LIST FOil RADIO PAGEIt Cl, C2--O.001·uF, 100·YDC lIisc cop.cit.r

Cl-SO.pF trim Iller c.paeit.r

LI-l0 turns #16 enam.lell wire w.u .. lI.n

·I,·in. form, s'_c.1I 1 in .• nll to enll

.. ,C-Corb.n micr.,".ne .iement RI

91-lOIotor.'a HEP·SO npn t.ansist ••

11--47,OOO· .. hm, 'I2·Wott resistor 12-10,OOO-.'m, 'h·watt resist.r

13-330 •• hm, 'f2.wott re,ist ••

SOI-C,yst., sock.t

56

ANT

II
C3
+
9VDC
C2 ~- transceiver, but not enough to cause receiver overload.

If only one crystal frequency is peeded, socket 501 can be eliminated and an overtone type crystal soldered directly into the circuit. Salvage crystals from junked units, The whip ante"nna is a standard walkietalkie three-section replacement type. The carbon microphone can be a telephone

transmitter,

To tune; receive the signal on an S-meterequipped receiver and adjust trimmer C3 for maximum output. Key the transmitter a few times to check crystal activity. If starting is intermittent, slightly alter C3's adjustment until operation is consistent.

The power supply can be a standard 9V (2U6 type) battery,

[llFM Alignment Oscillator

.. AITS LIST FOI

FM ALIGNMENT OSCILLATOI

ct. C2-500-pF, lOO-YDC capacitor Cl-S.pF silver mica capacitor C4-2,7'3D pF trimmer capaeitor Ll- -See text

",l-Motorola HE!'·U' p.p transistar Il-lOD,DDO-ohm, 'h,watt .. sistor 12-470-ahm, 'I.-watt r".istor

"NT

II

4T

7V DC

0+ '4-

We don't suggest that you start aligning your stereo FM receiver, but some budgetpriced and early-model FM mono receivers can be- aligned or peaked with the FM Alignment Oscillator. Using a 7V mercury battery, the oscillator provides a radiated signal within 10 feet of the receiver. It's strong enough for alignment purposes, but won't overload the front end.

Coil Ll, wound on a 1/4-in. form. must be made with extra care. The 4-turn section is tight-wound, no spacing between turns. The 3-turn section is spaced-after windingto a length of o/g-in. from the tap to the

1'''

C3

C2

end of the coil. The tap is made by scraping off some enamel, tinning the bare area, then soldering a solid bare wire to the tap. Frequency is preset by adjusting C4.

rn Shortwave S~otter

Can't find that rare, weak SW signal from lower Siobbovia? You will if you use this SW frequency spotter. Obtain crystals on or near your favorite SW stations, plug 'em into the spotter and you'll transmit powerhouse markers on the shortwave bands. If ~our receiver has a BFO it will sound a loud. beep wher' you tune the spotter's sig-

nal. With no BFO, simply tune around the frequency until the receiver gets deathly quiet. Either way, you'll talibrate your reo ceiver with great accuracy.

The spotter can be assembled on a srnalt section of perfboard with flea clips for tie points. For good performance, ail components must be firmly mounted and well

57

, .

soldered. A common 2U6 g·volt battery in the circuit will liSt for months, if not for its total shelf life.

Crystals in this circuit are fundamental type, not overtone. Many low·cost surplus crystals are available. but even if you can't get the correct frequency, 25¢ might get

you right next door. A few dollars for a new crystal will put you directly on frequency if

PARTS LIST FOR SHOlTWAYI SPOTTER

Cl-UCIO-IIF sliver .Ica capacitor C2-75-pF Ill1ver mica capacitor C3-250-pF. 100-Y disc capacitor C4-0.01 •• F, 25-YDC capacitor 91-RCA 2N384 p.p tra.sistor .'-220.000-0hm. 'I.-watt resistor lU-l000-ohm. 'h-watt r.slstor .FC-l-mH RF ch ....

I SOI~rystal sock.t

you want the utmest aeeuraey,

A connection between the spotter and reo ceiver is not needed. Simply position the spotter near the receiver antenna and start tuning until you find the marker signal.

RI

RFC

En Mike Beeper

You can always feed an audio generator into a mike input to check an AF system, but how do you check the mike? Saying "woof, woof, hello, test" gets mighty tiring. Instead, clamp the Mike Beeper to the front of the mike with a rubber band and you'll

send continuous tone through the mike. h. lets you take your time checking the mike, connecting cabie, jacks, amplifiers, etc.

The beeper can be built in a small plastic case-nothing is critical. The speaker may be any size from one to three inches.

PARTS LIST FOR MIKE lEEPER II-Typ. 216 9-Y batt.ry CI-O.I-uF,IO-YDCcapacitor IjII-uniiunction transistor-HEP-3! 0 RI-IO,OOO·ohm; 'h·watt .. sistor R2-47.ohm. 'h·w.tt resistor 51-5pst switch

S)ll<r-3.2 or '·ohm miniature spe ....

Ell Pho~oflood

All the flexibiiity of a professional photo studio's variable lighting can be yours with this 500·watt lamp dimmer.

Triac Q1 is supplied with a heat sink which must, in turn, be connected to a larger heat sink. The entire unit is assembled in a metal cabinet with Q1'sheat sink epoxy-cemented

to the cabinet for heat d1SSipatioi1. ~

Fusing must ·be employed. Otherwise, the

I I

58

Dimmer

PARTS L1ST FOR PHOTO FLOOD DIMMER CI, C2-O.01·uF, 300.VDC capacitor DI-RCA 40581 Diac

FI-Fuse, type lAG, 5A

91-ICA 4063B Triac

II-IOOO-ohm. 'h-watt resistor

.• R2-IOO.OOO·ohni 1I ••• r taper pote.ti .... ter 13-15.ooo-ohm. '/,·watt resistor

CI

R2 RI

surge current when 500-watt photo lamps burn out will instantly destroy Q1. Connect an SAG (fast-action) 5.ampere fuse in series with the lamp or any otber fuse of

_]

equal action,' faster. In this circuit 3AG fuses c' be used. Potentiometer R2 will ' Just the lamp's intensity from full t'J .0 essentially 100% full on.

m Direct-C~upled Radio

/ Ql 12

..------'-A-IT-S-:-L-:,S:::T-=-PlP=er:r pacitance provid.es RF filtering .. L1 cantu~

DIII!CT.COUP.' -a]"IIADIO a tapped (transistor type) femte antrlla

coil. Tuning capacitor C1 is a mill; ,uri

I'. 12-1.5.y ~ poly-type variable. --

e'--J'S'PnF v ,die copuit., Earphone E can be magnetic or cr: i.I ••

1'-2500·. .h. "'ph... . . ,

1.1~ .. ferrllo •• tee •• coil long as ItS Impedance is in the )00- to

I " ""010 HE ..... ' .,. 5000·ohm range.

__ tr ••• t.tor . Control R1 is adjusted for ber L lIarphone

~2-M.te,.." HIP.2S) p.p tr .... do, sound--or least distortion co 'Iistent with

I ., "...5000·.h. !tote.tl.lNte, . ,.., rI

u;...'O •••••. 'I.,wett N.,.t.r maximum volume. .s

During construction, carl" ,lly note that A shirt-pocket project, this dtrect-coupled npn and pnp transistorl\etlre uSed. Don't radio uses transistor Q1 as a diode detec- intermix them since !'i~rse polarity volttor and first audio amplifier. Detection is age can destroy a tra "stor.

across the base-emitter junction which cp- Batteries B 1 and,j\i~' are the penlight (AAA) erates as a diode; Normal base·emitter ca- type-good fO_ft ,.,.-any hours of service.

(I

m ~ Modulation Meter-

'u can "" .. ure CB audio modul.tion per· centage with the accuracy pf the local

59

~ Mike Powerhouse

-:~ C3 + +9VD_:' Q_ _ I

.L '.L PARTS LIST FOR MIKE POWERHOUSi:

C2

-1~OAO

~

broadcast station-'cause you'll be using the same type system.

In building the circuit, keep RI, 01 and

PARTS LIST FOI

C. MODULATION METEI

Ci-SOO-p", 100-YDC capacitor C2-IO-.F, lO.YDC electrolytic capacitor C3-ZOO-pF, 100-YDC capacitor C4-3110-pF, 100-YDC copacltor

DI, D2, D3-IN60 diotlo

"'1-0-1 mA DC hi9h •• ,.. .. motor II, R4-IOOO-ohm, 'I.·wott ro.istor 12-IOOO-ohm p ..... tiomoter

13-91 O-ohm. 'I.-watt resistor, VY. 51-Split .prlng-mu ... switch

RI

01

RF INPUT

R4 R2

Hi-Z INPUT

CI

r

R2

Approximately 10 dB of extra micriphone amplification for CB and ham transmitters, tape recorders and PA amplifiers is provided by the field effect transistor. Since an FET's input is many megohms, the arnplifier's input impedance is determined by gate resistor Rl. which is 2 megohms. It's a suitable load for high impedance crystal and ceramic microphones.

The amplifier is "flat" from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Low frequency response can be attenuate:i for communications use by reducing

60

R2's leads as short as possible. Meter MI must be a high-speed rnocel, such as the Aleo P·I000 series. Connect the meter across the transceiver's RF output with a coaxial T·connector in the transmission line. As you key the transmitter, set switch SI to calibrate and adjust R2 for a fu!1 scale reading. Accuracy will be within 10%. Better accuracy is assured if R2's adjustment and meter calibrating point is compared against a scope modulation pattern. Don't compare this meter against comrnercial CB modulation meters. On a tone signal, this one is less accurate, but on speech modulation, the commercial models are not as accurate as a circuit of this type.

R3

CAL. M

CI, C2-O.0S-.F. 2S-YDC capacitor Cl-l00-uF, IS-YD.C el.ctro:ytic capacitor

QI-Motorolo MPF-l03 FIT transistlfr I

.1-2-mogohm, 'I.-watt resistor .2-3300-ohm. '/,-watt resistor .3-10.000-ohm, 'I.-watt resistor

1-----

the value of C2 to one half.

Power supply by-pass capacitor C4 must be used regardless of whether the voltage supply is a rectifier or battery. If C4 is not used there might be severe low frequency attenuation, sharply reduced gain or instability.

The amplifier's output can be connected to <lny load of 50.000 ohms or greater. which includes just about every piece of equipment except those specifically designed for low impedance microphones.

Ill-Budget FSM

High sensrtivity without amplification is obtained when a field strength meter (FSM)

-is tuned to its operating frequency. With a poly·type miniature capacitor for Cl, the FSM can be built in a pocket-size cabinet. Tuning range is from 1.5 to 144 MHz, depending on the choice of coil ll. The coil can use phone tip jacks for a plug-in connection for band changing. Consult any coil table for U's winding data since coil

PAns LIST FO •• UDGET FSM CI-365·pF variable capacitor CZ-.OOS·uF, 10'·VDC capacitor Dl-IN" cllocl.

Jl, J2-'ho .. tip jack Jl-C.IIIs .. teril -Ml-O·l mA DC meter

construction depends on the type of wire and frequency.

Even greater sensitivity is obtained if a more sensitive meter is used. A 50·uA meter, M I, provides maximum sensitivity combined with reasonably rugged construetion,

m Audio Distortion Meter

,---------------,

I I

I I

I I CAL

~'~'0

I-I

This l·kHz distortion meter is extremely accurate and is handy for measuring the distortion of power amplifiers.

Resistor Rx is the load resistor f"lr the amplifier; 4, 8 or 16 ohms at the appropriate power rating. The AC meter can be an A('.· VIVM or a 20,000 ohms/volt VOM. Adjust the amplifier for the desired power output, set switch SI to the caiibrate position and note the meter reading. Set Sl to the THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) position and adjust both coil l and resistor R for the min'imum meter reading.

The percent harmonic distortion is equal to

"j

FROM

AMP.

Sia

o

the minimum reading divided by the canbrate reading x 100.

The circuit works by filtering out the l·kHz fundamental signal with the l!/C1/C2/Rl I-notch filter. What's left is the-harmonic content.

PARTS LIST FOR

AUDIO DISTORTION METEA

ci. C2-O.01.uF. 100·VDC capacitor. 5% Ll-UTC VC·1S variable i.ductor RI-250.000·ohm potentiometer Rx-Amplifier load resistor Is.., text) SI-Dpdt switch

RI

o

Sib THO

TO AC METER

61

m Fan~y Fuzzbox

BI

~~~D~C __ .- ~

CI

r

INPUT

Add that 'way-out fuzz sound to any electric guitar by connecting the Fuzzbox qetween your guitar and amplifier. Potentlcmeter R3 sets the degree of fuzz. RR the output level.

Since the fuzz effect cannot be completely eliminated by R3. fuzzy-free sound requires a bypass switch from the input to output terminals. The switch should completely disconnect the fuzzbox output; the input can remain in parallel with the bypass switch.

•

PARTS LIST FOR FANCY FUZZ.OX 11-1.5-Y AA battery

CI. Cl-O.I-~F. l-YDC capacitor CZ-5-.F. l-YDC electrolytic cap.cltor 91. 9Z--PBp tra •• istor-HEP·UZ

RI. R6-ZZ.000-ohlll. '!J·waH resistor RZ-II.000.ohlll. '!J·wott resistor Rl-I'III"Johm pot'lItlOllleter R4-100.00D-ohm. 'I.·watt resistor R5. R7-10.DOO-ohm. '/.·watt resistor R8-50.000-ohm. aUdio-taper

potentiometer SI-Spst switch

m Nixie Numbers

DI

D2

Using Nixi.e tubes you can transmit numer lcal signals or even ball scores over long distances.

The Nixie-actually a peanut-size tubehas 10 numerical-shaped neon lamps (0 through 9). By shorting the appropriate lead to ground. an internal neon lamp corresponding to that number is illuminated. Transformer Tl is 250V center-tapped,

6']

VI

~ GROUND TO TURN ON NUMBER

PARTS LIST FOR NIXIE NUM.ERS CI-3D-aF. Z50·YDC electrolytic capacitor

DI. D2-200·mA. 400·PlY silicon rectHier TI-1I7·Y priMOry. Z50·Y secolldary. 25- mA cuter.tapped pow.r

traasfor •• r

YI-Ne .. readout t .... INatio.al Electroalcs NL840)

providing an output voltage (peak DC) of approximately 200. Though current requirements are very-low, 01 and 02 should be llne-voltage type silicon rectifiers of 200 mA minimum.

The same power supply can be used for

additional Nixies, each connecting to the top of Cl.

The neon numbers can be turned on either through an Ll-pcsition (one position for off) rotary switch or individual toggle switches.

J2 CI

OUTPUT TO <i7 II--'\iR"Iv-_--- -e- ---"'R"'!I'v-----<Y.:

AMPLIFIER • I 52 ~

C3 C4 BI..::.

- D' R3 ;r ~ 9V.l-:-

GUITAR~ G2 R2

INPUT Y I---'\M,-+-~ R6· R7 R8

mFunkBox

~C5

Fuzz, echo, reverb, big bass. They're all out! The new guitar sound is funky, and you'll get with it with the wide- range Funk Box. Just crank potentiometer R7 and you'll get an extra twang from way .down low to way up high. Just about any construction can be used .. If you build it in a metal box, use a push switch for switch 51 and you'll be able to key the effect in and out with your foot. To adjust the Funk Box Simply adjust potentiometer R4 until you hear a whistle (oscillation); then back off R4 until the oscillation just ceases. Connect your guitar to jack J 1 and twang away. The effect can be varied from bass to treble by adjusting potentiometer R7.

PARTS LIST FOR FUNII lOX 11-" type 2U6 bftttery

Cl, C2-.1 .F Myl.r c.p.citor Cl-.OS uF Myl.r c.pocitor C4-.02 .F Myl.r c.p.cit.r

C5. C6-.01 .F MyI.r c.pacit.r

Jl, J2-Phollo i.ck .

91-NPN tr .. sist.r, HEP·722 .r 721 R1. R2-Z2.000·0Ilm, '12 wott rellsto~ Rl-470.000..h ... , 'I. w.tt resister '.R4-2000 or 5DOD·ok ... trh .... r .

potemo ..... r

R5, R6. RI--56,OOO·01l .. , '/. w.tt .. ,Isto. R7-10,800.oh .. potellti.,,"e.

51, S2-SPST Iwitch

C6

m Two-Way Signaller

PARTS LIST FOR TWO·WAY SIGNALLER

11-6·Y IIott.ry, 4 0 cells ilt series

OJ, D2-S0.PlY 1 A silico. di.de. HEP· 154(SI

11. 12-6.3·Y, «1.15·1., milli.t.r. b.yollet b.se pilot la.tlp

S1-0pdt tCHJ91e Iwitch (C.tler H .... m.r 7591·IIP)

Using diode switching, a single pair of wires controls two circuits that normally require four wires. Though illustrated here with

lamps, the same idea can be used for tele·

phone circuits. '

When polarity· reversing switch 51 is set SO

I .

.63.

the positive battery termin81 feeds the top wire, the 01/11 circuit is operative and o'lly lamp Il lights up. Lamp 12 remains off because diode 02 blocks the flow of DC to

the lamp. .

When battery polarity is reversed, so the top wire is negative, only 02 conducts, il-

luminating 12. 01 blocks the current flow and 11 is off.

If a carbon mike is connected in series with the battery and the lamps are replaced with headphones, switch 51 determines which of two headphones receives the transmitted signal.

mMilad~tor

Less than $2 worth of parts is all it takes to convert your VTVM into a DC rnilliammeter. To use the Miladaptor you simply multiply the VTVM reading by XI0, Xl00 or XI000 to obtain the DC current. for example, if the VTVM indicates 0.1 volt and 51 is set to Xl00, the current is 0.1 Xl00 or 10 milliamperes. If the VTVM indio cates 0.25 volt and 51 is set to Xl000, the current is 0.25 X 1000 or 250 milllamperes. The circuit under test connects to

PA.TS LIST FO. THE MILADAPTO.

Pl. n. P3, P4-I ••• I.t ... 5-w.y bI ... I.,

.....

.'-10".~ •.. ' w.H. ser .... I".r 12-1 ... " •• 1 w.H, 5"1 •... i"or "__1·.h., 1 waH, 5"1. r •• l"or 51-5'3T rot.ry .wltch IMollory

51011113. C •• ,tr.l.b 141M .r equlv.I

TO VTVM -

@

.:.e P3 P4
RI
!XIO R2
51 XIOO
r"IOoo R3
+ -
T o CIRCUIT

binding posts PI and P2; the VTVM connects to binding posts P3 and P4. 5witch 51 must be the make-before-break type. To avoid damage always start with 51 in the XI000 position and downrange until the VTVM indicates a convenient reading.

m Off-Air CW Monitor

Here's a self- powered CW keying monitor that doesn't require a direct connection to the transmitter or transmission line. Sirnply position coil, Ll near the transmitter output tank until you obtain a dependable key-down tone. Then tape the coil in position. While the signal is generally monttared with headphones, a small monitor amplifier can be used. Simply connect a 2000· ohm, 1/2·watt resistor in place of the

CI .05uF

MAG PHONES

64

phones, and connect tn" amplifier input across the resistor. Start with a 2·turn coil made of fl6 enameled wire wound on a I/z·inch form. If the signal pickup is not sufficient to produce a steady tone, mcrease the coil one turn at a time until the tone is steady and reliable. If you cannot obtain any sort of tone with any coil, reo verse the primary transformer connections A and B.

'AIITS LIST FO. OFF·AIII CW MONITOI

Cl-O.05 aF "isc co,acitor, 50 VDC .r

IteHor

LI-2 to 6 turns on '1,.1 •• f.r"" ... tollt 91-'NI' tr.nslst.r, HE'·253 11~200·oh"" '1,·waH r •• lstor TI-Mlnl.tur. tr ••• i.t.r t .. ufor.or, 5tO

a."'. cut.r t., ..... fo 5H o~ ••

m Low-Z Mike Preamp

• PARTS LIST FOR LOW-Z MIKE !'RIllAMP

'C1-IO-uF, I S-YDC e: .. drolytic: copoc:itor C2-0.47-uF copodtor

QI-2N3391 npn transistor

RI_IO,OOO- .. hm, 'fl-watt resistor R2-IS-ohm, Ifl-wott resistor RX-Seetext

Just a handful of parts is all it takes to add up to 30 db gain for lew-impedance microphone inputs found on tape recorders, CB rigs, etc. The circuit is suitable for mikes in the 50- to lOOO·ohm range.

Because transistor Q1 is a high-gain type it is very sensitive to slight changes in base bias. Hence, bias resistor Rx must be tail: ored for each transistor. Temporarily connect a 2 megohm potentiometer in place of Rx and adjust the pot until the collector

6V

r(_

*

OUTPUT

to ground voltage is 3V. ~easure the pot's resistance and substitute a fixed resistor(s) within 10% of the measured value.

mE'Headphone AmplifierC~:E~:]

Quite often the audio output from small projects is just barely sufficient to produce a recognizable signal in standard experimenter magnetic earphones. Yet a handful of surplus components will provide enough gain to turn that whisper sound into a roar. Specifically intended for use with magnetic earphones of from 1000 to 5000 ohms impedance, the Headphone Amplifier can do double-duty as an audio signal tracer. Transistor Ql can be .any PNP of the 2N2613 variety. Even the -10- for-a-buck kind will work. Volume control R1 should have an audio taper.vDistortion control R3 can have any taper. Make certain C2's polarity is correct; the positive terrnlnal connects to volume control Rl (wiper terminal), Adjust distortion control R3 for best sound quality. If you use a jack and plug to connect your headphones to this' amp, you can eliminate on-off switch S1 because power is removed whenever the headphones are, disconnected.

'ARTS LIST FOR HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

II-lottery. 12 volts !two RCA YSO.. .: in .•• ries or IItCluiv.J

CI-O.I .F capacitor, Hi YDC or bettor C2-1 uF "Jedrolytic capacitor, 15 YDC or bettcr

QI-PNP traB.istor, 2:1l2613 or elluiv. RI-5011,ooO.ohm audio to""r potentiometer

R2-100,ooO-0.III, Ifz-wott r",llfor R3-1 lIIegohlll potentlollletor, oay toper

II!II Crystal Tester

RFC

RI lOOK

r--.;;..SO;:.;l~~

A fast way to see if the crystal from your transmitter or receiver is properly "active" is to compare its output against that of a

'ARTS LIST FOR THE CRYSTAL TESn.

11-9 volt transi.tor radio battery Cl-S0 pF disc: capacitor. 100YDC or ltetter

C2-0.005 of disc capacitor, 25 YDC or better

C3-33 pF disc capcitor, 100 YDC or better

Dl-D!oda. lN60, HE'-US MI-Mater,O,1 mA DC ICaledro DI-90S

or equh

'I'-Normal., open push button switch fin_NPN transistor, HEP-SO 1'-100,OOO-ohm, 'I>_watt resistor IZ-l0,OOO-ohm, '/2-watt resiotar IFC-Z,S mH RF choke

SOl-Socket t. match crystals, lee tari

known good crystal. This crystal checker will handle both fundamental and overtone type crystals. Socket 501 should match the pins on your crystals. If you use more t"one type of crystal, install two (or .,.) sockets in parallel. The unit can bitassembled in any type of cabinet.

To test a crystal's activity, first plug in • known good crystal, depress push butIDn switch PBI and note the meter readl",. Then install the questionable crystal, .,.... PB1 and note its meter reading; if it's IDOd its output should approxlmate that of tha reference crystal. Take care that you do!i't compare apples with oranges; the refertAc:ecrystal should be the exact same ty~ .. the crystal 'to be tested. If good crystaTSc drive the meter off scale, install a 1000 ohm, 1fz watt, 10 percent resistor in series with meter M 1.

20 Passive Circuits

Continued Ircnn page 14

and two resistors are all that's needed to' squelch your SW receiver. And if you can't scrounge the lamps, they're available at just about every radio parts distributor and service shop. Switch Sl is needed only to bypass the squelch for very weak signals. In many instances, the circuit will provide a basic attenuation of the noise back-

66

ground, not complete squelch. But it's :, substantial squelch considering the low cost and ease of construction. Just about any enclosure, plastic or metal, can be used. The components can even lie on the table.

PARTS LIST FOR SWL'S SCj)UELCH ", 12-#47 pilot lalli,

.1, RZ ...... to 6-oh .. resistor, I-watt. 1. perce.t

51-Switch, DPDT