Dilshan R Jayakody’s Web Log

I recently received a DIY two-tube FM receiver kit from one of my Chinese component suppliers for review. The circuit is elegantly simple, designed around a 1A2 heptode and a 2P2 pentode . The kit includes all the necessary components for the build, featuring a single-sided FR4 PCB with dimensions of 100mm × 100mm. Assembled PCB with tubes. The primary hurdle when starting this project was the complete lack of proper assembly instructions. To assist others, this article documents the exact steps I took to assemble and test the receiver. I have also reverse-engineered the schematic based on the PCB layout; a high-resolution PDF version is available for download here . Top view of the PCB. Bottom view of the PCB. The radio is designed around two main stages to handle frequency conversion and audio amplification: The 1A2 heptode - functions as a super-regenerative detector. The 2P2 pentode acts as the audio power amplifier, which receives the demodulated signal and drives the ...

Pink noise is an essential tool in audio testing, widely used for analyzing speaker systems, room acoustics, and crossover networks. Unlike white noise, which has equal energy across all frequencies, pink noise features equal energy per octave, making it ideal for audio response testing. This characteristic ensures that pink noise offers a flat frequency response when analyzed on a logarithmic scale, providing a more accurate representation of audio systems. Assembled pink noise generator kit. We developed a this pink noise generator to meet various audio testing requirements. This device combines simplicity and performance, featuring a minimal component count for ease of assembly without compromising accuracy and usability. This pink noise generator design uses a reverse-biased emitter-base junction of a 2SC945 transistor as the noise source. In this configuration, the transistor behaves like a noisy zener diode, producing a broad spectrum of white noise. In this design the NJM...

The LM386 is a low-voltage audio power amplifier designed by National Semiconductor , which is now part of Texas Instruments . Introduced in 1983, it has been widely used in various audio applications, such as amplifying signals in small radios, portable speakers, and other low-power audio equipment. This compact device integrates all the essential components of a basic audio amplifier circuit, including an internal biasing network, an input stage, and an output driver. It operates within a supply voltage range of 4V to 12V, making it ideal for driving small speakers while consuming minimal power. A standout feature of the LM386 is its adjustable gain, which can be varied between 20 (26dB) and 200 (46dB) using external components. Assembled LM386 power amplifier. Although modern Class-D amplifiers offer higher efficiency and greater power output, the LM386 remains a viable solution in certain applications due to its straightforward design, low cost, ease of assembly (thanks to i...