Pirate
Radio kits FM Transmitter schematic hobby broadcast RF Circuit
Antenna Surveillance spy
Links for FM Transmitter Kits,
Circuits, Electronics ...
Click to display summaries,
LINKS : Please assist me to make this the most complete, focussed and quality starting point for people interested in FM Transmitter technology. Contact me for other links you feel should be here. Thank you.
Kit
Manufacturers and Resellers :
Broadcast
Warehouse : FM PLL Transmitter Kits, Stereo
Coders, Prebuilt systems
Veronica Kits : FM PLL / VCO Transmitter
Kits, Stereo Coders, Prebuilt systems
NRG
Kitz : FM PLL / VCO Transmitter Kits, Stereo Coders,
Prebuilt systems
L.D. Brewer : Resells
kits made by most major UK / US manufacturers
Free Radio Berkeley : Make a PLL kit and some
Amplifier kits. Circuit Dias on the Net.
Panaxis :
American manufacturer of FM Exciters
North
Country Radio : FM and AM PLL Transmitter kits for
educational use
Progressive Concepts : Not much on the Web,
but has a great catalog and good gear !!
Wavemach Communications : Transmitters, Amplifiers, Filters and more.
Smart Kit : From Greece. They have 1,4,15 and
25 W VCO Transmitters. Circuit Dias on the Net.
Simplex
Kit : They re-sell Smart Kit's Voltage Controlled
Oscillator based FM Transmitters.
CPEQ
: FCC Compliant LPFM Stereo Transmitter for below 60$
!!
Ramsey
: Complemented for his range of Radio kits, quality of
documentation and marketing skills.
Mighty's
Pirate Radio : aka PCS Electronics. Unique 4W
PLL TX with LCD, built-in tuning circuitry.
Radio
Communication Laboratory ( RCL) : Cost effective kits
from India, Pre-built FM and CB Transmitters
DC
Electronics : 10mW FM PLL Transmitter for US$ 50 !!!!
Also BA1404 based stuff.
Rola
of Aus-triee-leeeea : Resells Panaxis' kits, OEM eqpt with
Panaxis incorporated, 300W RF Amp kits
DIY Electronics
(Kits-r-us) : Range of 2-3 transistor transmitters, useful
for beginners. Lots of other kits.
Cana Kits : Beginner's 2 transistor designs +
BA1404 TX. Easy way to get hooked on the habit !!!
CIC
Electronics : One and two transistor designs
Microkits : UK based manufacturer of spy
surveillance transmitter kits
Readymade
Exciter manufacturers + Ham kit manufacturers :
ABC Transmitters : Good Modular readymade
system based on 200mW PLL + your choice of RF Amp
JT Communications : They make a PLL FM Exciter
and a Stereo Generator
Infinity Communications : UK based
manufacturer of FM Transmitters from 1W to 40W
TEN-TEC :
Great place for 2mtr Transceiver kits. See Review
Hamtronics
: Nice Commercial Quality Transceiver kits
Hands
Electronics : Ham Transceivers
HOT !!!! your only chance to look at schematics before you buy !!!! Wake up kit manufacturers : Let's have complete and verifiable Specifications / Circuit Diagrams (with only active components listed is OK) / Spectral output data on your web sites. Visit http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Nebula/3736/ NOW !!!! |
Kit
Reviews :
( How about giving me your reviews on kits you built, like Alt'f
, Mike and Eric did ???. I can publish your review at my site.)
Mark Wyman's Web site : with Spectral Analyses of Ramsey and Veronica kits
Articles posted on alt.radio.pirate re: the Ramsey Vs Veronica debate
Marconi's Kit Reviews Marconi praises the B/W 1W PLL Exciter with LCD 20 Aug 1998 Marconi reviews the Broadcast Warehouse 1W PLL Exciter (without LCD) July 1998 Marconi looks at the Veronica 1W VCO Transmitter June 1998 Marconi looks down
upon the Panaxis Exciter 01 Sept
98 |
My review of the Broadcast Warehouse 1W PLL Exciter
with LCD 08 Aug 1998
My review of the WaveMach
FMS2 PLL Exciter 20 Dec 1998
Alt'F reviews the Veronica 1W PPL Version 2
Alt'F reviews the Broadcast
Warehouse DIGILOG Stereo Multiplexer Kit 08
April 1999
Alt'F reviews the Broadcast Warehouse DIGILOG
Stereo Multiplexer Kit
My review of the Broadcast
Warehouse DIGILOG Stereo Multiplexer Kit 13
Oct 1999
Alt'F reviews the Veronica Stereo Coder
My review of the Mighty MAX-1
FM Exciter 02 May 1999
Mike Timmer's
comments on the Broadcast Warehouse High Quality Limiter Kit 20 May 1999
Eric T White's informal review of the MAX-1 FM
Exciter 20 June 1999
Cana Kit's 2 transistor
beginner's kit CK111 09 July 1999
DIY Electronic' 3 transistor
beginner's Kit 32 09 July 1999
Cana Kit's BA1404 based Kit
CK222 19 July 1999
Comments on the ROHM BH1416
Stereo Transmitter chip 26 Aug 2000
Alt 'F Radio : Ce site traite de la théorie
et de la pratique de la micro-diffusion, en Anglais
Just who's behind the
reviews anyway ?
Spare
Parts Suppliers :
Unique Electronics : Source of electronic
spare parts, Philips and Motorola transistors ....
RF Parts
Company : 30 year old supplier of RF Parts
for Amateur and commercial use
Donberg's
Warehouse : Source of RF Components in Ireland, good source
for basic Transistor specs
Circuit Specialists,
Inc: RF Parts, some Kits, their "Transistors" page
has basic specs and prices
NTE Electronics
: Searchable database that has data sheets
Great
American Electronics : Specialise in RF Transistors
RS Electronics
: Large Distributors of Electronic Parts
Maplin
in UK : Large Distributors of Electronic
Parts
Farnell
: Large Distributors of Electronic Parts
Schematics of Transmitters, Oscillators, RF Amplifiers :
The PULZ Wish you were here. |
Voyager Radio : Somebody
just copied Pulsar's site without any credits. Useful if Pulsar's
Server goes down.
Hans
: Another great place for schematics, similar to
Pulsar site. Hans is a helpful guy who answers e-mails.
HANS PROMISES HE WILL BE BACK AFTER A BREAK OF ABOUT THREE YEARS,
'bout time !!
Crystal HF
: Yet another nice place for schematics. Looks like Dutch Pirates
are the most technical lot !!
Schematics of Commercial Kits like
Veronica, Panaxis, Ramsey, B'Warehouse...
Twilight's Schema's : Copies of SPI Kit's PLL,
Stereo Coder, Limiter
Harry's Homebrew : Many circuits, incl. Bugs
and small transmitters, useful info especially on winding coils
Mycal
1 &
2: Seems to know his technical stuff. It appears he
corrects design flaws in Ramsey's transmitters
Technology
page at Free Radio Berkeley : Some things never change, this
page is one of them !
Transmitter
Schematics at FRN : Good collection of other people's designs
Radioelektronicke
Obvody : I knew there are some Checz Maniacs around !!
Low Power FM Broadcasting : By Dillon. FM
Transmitters, J Pole design
Smart Electronics 15 W FM Transmitter PDF
Justin's Transmitter Schematics : 3-18W
transmitters, Antenna, RF Amplifiers
Lar's Transmitters for the 3mtr band : Similar
to Justin's site, 0.5W-25W Transmitter schematics
FM-Pirat : Similar to Justin's and Lar's site.
15W BLY88 based FM Transmitter with PCB and building instructions
YAFWT
: Yet Another Fifteen Watt Transmitter based on BLY88. Easy to
understand write-up, PCB designs.
Japanese Transmitter : Can transmit in English
too !! Should be good for about 4-7 watts ?
Indonesian
Transmitter : Can transmit in English too !! 7 and 15 W RF
Amps
AMN
: See how this "professional station" does it. They
claim "Broadcast Quality"
circuits and Antenna
Fantasy
Radio : See the Schematics of the equipment used by this
Dutch FM Pirate Radio Station
WARNING :
Any free running VFO transmitter with less than 4 Transistors for
50-100mW output or 5 transistors at 2-5W output (ie no buffer
stages, no voltage regulator for VFO) is probably highly
unstable and it's frequency of operation will keep on
changing with time, temperature, battery levels, antenna type,
proximity of other objects to transmitter. Please build the
following transmitter circuits with this warning in mind. See my review of
FM Bugs for more info.
200mW 2 Km Transmitter circuit and Manual : From RCL in India
Four Transistor Transmitter
The Electronics page : Some simple FM
Transmitters
Dan Evans builds the Velleman 3 Transistor FM
Oscillator Kit
3 transistor FM Bug : By Harry Lythall sm0vpo
Andy's circuits : Wide Band 3 Transi and Narrow Band Xtal controlled Transmitters
2
Transistor FM Bug : PDF format file with circuit dia and good
write up on operation
2 Transistor Colpitts Oscillator
Mini Oscillator and 2W
Oscillator : By Kemo Kits of Germany
NoiseMantra : Based on the MicroCircuits VCO
module. Better use the POS150 !!!
broadcastfm
: New site started 04th April 99. Promises lots of schematics and
technical stuff
One transistor FM Bug : How simple can it get
? You gotta make atleast this one work !!
Forrest
Cook & Daniel Sill's Improved Stereo Modulator
SPI's Stereo Coder
Schematics
of commercial CB Kits
Marconi's views on
RF Schematics available on the Web : At Radio Frequencies, the PCB Design is
part of the overall circuit design !!. If you find a
schematic of anything over 5W at 108 MHz (or 10mW at 400 MHz)
with no PCB details, just forget it !!!
Antenna,
Antennae, Aerials, Rubber Duckies, J-Poles, Dipoles :
Basics of Antenna : By Linx Technologies
(PDF), quick way to understand the raw basics.
The
Antenna Elmer : Everything you
wanted to know about Antenna.
The
PacketRadio Op's Antenna Handbook : Tools to design
J Pole, Dipole, Quads
How
to be an Antenna Guru
Antenna Practical Design : from the University
of Murray, Down Under
J-Pole
Antenna Design : by Mycal
J-Pole Antenna for 89 MHz : By G. Forrest Cook
Ribbon J Pole from 300 Ohm TV Cable : By Gavin
Reibelt VK4ZZ
Construction of a JPole for 2m : By W.
Kinsner, VE4WK
Copper Cactus Antenna : Multiple J Poles for
different frequencies using the same mast
From a J to a Zepp :
Excellent technical discussion on the J Pole Antenna.
Slim Jim for 3 mtr : From the FM10 Archives
Albert's 3 mtr Slim Jim
Slim Jim for 3 mtr : By Marconi, good diagrams
Slim
Jim for 2 mtr : By Nadisha
Slim Jim for 2 mtr : Excellent diagram with
construction details
Double Slim Jim colinear with 3dB gain over dipole
: By Fred JUDD G2BCX, the inventor of the Slim Jim
6dB Colinear VHF Antenna : by Harry sm0vpo
Technical
Knowledge and FAQ on RF, Pirate Radio :
How
to be a Radio Pirate : A Good Technical
Introduction for Newbies based on "Radio is my
Bomb"
Ramsey FM10 FAQ and FM25 FAQ : By Mycal
himself
Technical Guide to Radio : Another FM10 FAQ
Ramsey FM10 FAQ : Courtesy FIL
Ramsey FM10 FAQ Part II : A page from the FIL
o' FAQs
Pirate Radio and TV Broadcasting Techniques :
Info on Ramsey FMs, Antenna, Filters ...
(Caveat : Just because a kit is often spoken
about does not mean that it is technically any good. Please read
kit reviews before any purchase decisions. Use above FAQs to
glean basic info on Transmitter technology only)
Beginners Guide to LPFM : FAQ of the
alt.radio.pirate newsgroup
Low Power Broadcasting FAQ : From
alt.radio.pirate newsgroup
Microbroadcasting
- A technical Primer : By Stephen Dunifer himself. Actually
not so technical, but interesting.
FM Radio communication principles
: From the University of Newcastle, Down Under
Designing a 2 Transistor FM Transmitter
: Francis Mc Swiggan's dissertation for
his BEng course
Beginners Guide to Low Power Broadcasting : By
Rick Harrison
Theory of AM, FM and FM Stereo : Basic
technology explained by Steve J. Quest
Basics of Frequency Modulation : As explained
by the United States Naval Academy !!!
Introduction
to FM MPX : Basics of multiplexing FM Stereo signals
Structure of an FM MPX Signal : By Aztec Radio
Scott's guide to Stereo FM
Stereo for Dummies : My
own look at Stereo, liberally SPICEd with waveform screen dumps. 24 Sept 1999
Scott's Guide to Broadcasting
Introduction to Telecommunications : Technical
discourse on differrent modulation methods
Radio Data System ( RDS) :
University of Newcastle, Australia
ARRL : Needs no
introduction, I suppose
Effects
of VSWR on radiated power : Might as well transmit what you
are producing
Wenzel discusses SWR, Return loss and Reflection
Coefficients
How far will my signal go ?
: more info
here and here
Technical Papers on FM Broadcasting : From
Broadcast Electronics
Radio Papers Repository : Broadcast.net's
large store of technical papers on Radio
How
to optimise the Air Chain : From Orban
Technical
Papers : From "Modulation Index", re Modulation and
Loudness
Articles
from RF Design Online
Application Notes :
Mini-circuits explain VCOs, PLLs, Phase Noise, Test equipment and
methods
Noise reduction in FM Transmitters :
FM
Composite Signal Processing for FM Transmitters : By MicroCon
Systems Inc.
Use
your computer to feed Audio to the transmitter : Yaesutom
explains the newer software available
UK Frequency Allocation tables : By the
Radiocommunications Agency , London
ETSI :
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute
Ham
Info :
There is no denying that the Ham and
Amateur community has done a lot in discovering / spreading
technical information about broadcasting. The free atmosphere
they had to play around in certain frequency bands fostered
experimentation in VFO, Transmitters, Antenna. It also created a
culture of sharing of knowledge, with many Elmers ready to assist
the novices. Unfortunately , regulatory control in the 88-108 MHz
band has dampened the spirit of innovation and also
commercialised it. Much less free technical information is
available on the Net about issues affecting the 88-108 MHz band,
like propogation conditions, Antenna designs, Circuit designs,
Stereo broadcasting. I am forever dipping into Ham files to see
how they did things, and trying to scale it into the 3mtr band.
Here then are my favourite Ham links that I would like to share
with you. They reflect my current interest in Oscillators,
Antenna and Xtal controlled bugs for the FM Band.
QRP Homebuider VFO Page : FET based Hartley
and Clapp Oscillators
JF1FCJ's
Super VXO Oscillator and experiments
: Use two crystals to get larger deviations. Peter's version
Wide
Range VXO : From SPRAT
Japanese
Homebrew Guru JF1OZL : Wow, is this guy a diehard
experimenter or what !!
Transistor
Specifications :
Surface Mount Transistor FAQ : Good source re
Transistor equivalents
Siemens RF
Transistors : Detailed specs of Transistors, visit
"search" button. GOOD SITE !!!
Transistor
Spec Sheets
Low Noise Transistors : Transistor
specifications
Transistor Cross Reference Database : Helps
you find transistor equivalents from database of 40,000
Transistors
Pacific Semiconductor Inc. Search Page : Find
out prices and very basic specs of Transistors
Military
Preferred Products List : Transistor Specifications
NTE's
database : Type in a generic number, get a NTE number, plug
that in datasheet page to get the specs.
Transistor Specs in PDF : From the Fairchild
site
Motorola data library : Lots of transistor
specs in PDF
Mitsubishi RF Transistor specs : Home of the
2SC1971. Prices at RF Parts
Defpom's cross-reference and RF Transi cross-ref chart
Farnell's Database : 9500 PDFs !!
Electronics
101 :
Introduction to Electronics : The basics. Read
first if you are a completely lost newbie
First Active Electronics :
The very basics. Say something on the News Group only after
reading this !!
Circuit Exchange :
Nice site with basic Theory of Transmitters
Electronics Analysis and Design Labs : By Neil
Goldsman, University of Maryland
Electric Circuits Laboratory : Duke University
Electrical Physics and Electronics : Course
9E103 at the University of Queensland, Australia
How to Bias a Bipolar Junction Transistor
Biasing RF Power Amp stages
High Frequency performance of a BJT Common-Emitter
stage
Basic equations for BJTs : By Francis
How to design a FET stage
More on FETs : By Francis
What is a Varactor ? : Zetex PDF explains
Variable Capacitance Diodes ( Varicaps)
How to calculate vaules of Air Coils : By
Harry sm0vpo
Air Coils for VHF and UHF
Air Core Coils Calculator
Design Software for Helical Air Coils : By
Saratoga Software
Calculator
for basic RF Calculations : By sm0vpo
Confused about dB, dBi and dBd ?
More about
the dB
Impedance Matching Network Designer
Tuned Circuit Formulae
Designing T Attenuation Pads : By Linx
Technologies (PDF)
Know of a good page on Electronic Circuit Analysis and Design
techniques ? Please inform me !
Electronics
501 :
Analysis of a Colpitts Oscillator
SPICE Analysis of a Colpitts Oscillator
SPICE Analyis of a 2N2222 based Colpitts
Oscillator : By Dennis Erwin Thurlow
Using
SPICE for RF Oscillator and Class C RF
Amps : INTUSOFT suggests Sub-circuits are better than Models
at RF
Micro-cap's
Demo/Evaluation copy of SPICE : I didn't sleep the night I
downloaded this !!!
How do I
SPICE up my life for free ?
Hamcalc,
RFtoolbx, Stub Tuning and other RF Software
Richard the Lion Heart designs a PLL
Japanese Hobbyist designs a Phase Rocked
Roop : Lecommended leading !!
FREE DESIGN SOFTWARE AT RF GLOBALNET
: Wow, Excellent design tools !!
PHILIPS RF APPLICATION NOTES
: Lots of good stuff, Incl. a 250W and a 300W FM RF Amp
MOTOROLA RF APPLICATION NOTES
: Lots of good stuff here by Application
Links
to links :
Free Radio Network : You have
gotta visit this site, many links to other great places !
Bry's
Pirate Radio Links : A huge selection of links
Links to pages with Electronic Schematics
ePanorama's links to pages with Schematics
Radio links : Lottsa links, so little time
Kenneke's Links : More radio related links.
Hit a page down to see them.
FIL's Links
Links to Data Sheets of Electronic Parts
Manufacturers, also here
Berry's links : If you follow enough links,
chances are you will land back on my page
Dealer Links : Where can I buy a thingamabob
??????
Parts, Kits and Stuff : Bunch of links for Ham
kits, but could be useful for parts for FM band as well
Links page of Amazon Electronics : Links to
Manufacturers, Hobbyists, Technology, FAQs
Leroy
was here !!! : Excellent site with links to Electronic
reference books, Parts distributors, Manufacturers ...
OCARC
Ham Radio Supplier List
Pirate
Radio at The Mining Company
AC6V's
Links to Homebrew Antenna sites : Mostly Ham Antenna, but
lots to learn !!
Ham
Radio and Electronic Kits : Also by AC6V
Free Radio Stations : By Chris Smolinski
Broadcast
Related Links : From the Society of Broadcast Engineers
Lara's Theme : I dont want to be associated
with any link list that would want to be associated with me !!
Thailand Electronics Links : Tom Yum Chip ?
Electronics
FAQ links
Infoseek > Entertainment > Radio >
Technical Issues
Yahoo > News and Media > Radio > Pirate
Radio
The
Official Pirate Radio Kit Bulletin Board : Lots of links
+ a Bulletin Board to discuss TX Kits + a Technical list
FCC on microbroadcasting :
Everythink I like in life can either put me in prison, make me
fat or give me AIDS
Transmitters on ebay : Find
loads of second-hand Transmitters, Transceivers...
alt.radio.pirate :
The newsgroup to be seen at, via the Deja News service
New Hobby : Bored of FM
Broadcasting, discover new vistas. Visit often as you will get a
new link each time.
Guitar Amplifier Modelling : A site with technical information on
Guitar Amplifier Models for use in MFX units.
Red : Rumours on the Net. Swallow with care
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DISCLOSURE POLICY : I dont own stock in any of the companies mentioned. I am an independent RF hobbyist. I call a spade a spade in a way that it does not mind it.