AirCraft band receiver 2012/8/20

let me show the image first, built done @2012/9

Two years ago, I built a KE3iJ's air craft super regenerative receiver.
For detail information please refer to: http://www.ke3ij.com/superrgn.htm

In this version my antenna use 1.2 meter folded to 60cm, Q1 use 2SC9018. Q2 use 9014.
I even built it on breadboard, that just work by utilized the parasitic capacitance, but, that's might can not be
reproduced.

Rebuilt again and again today

2 years later I'm going to make a permanent version. it will be in a box finally. I build 3 of them in a week to find
why it's hard to make it work and repeatable. here is the final schematic, different transistor different coils.

I revised it a little bit . using different transistor to ke3ij.

1. add C13 to detector's BE junction for easy start oscillation, the reason refer to my VFO: ultra-audion LF to VHF
2. add C14 to minimized super-regen/reflex noise.
3. add noise NFB C2 to audio pre-amplifier for prevent oscillation when connect to a high gain audio power
amplifier.
4. R7/R3 added for decouple, this will prevent audio "motor boating" oscillation. then audio signal can extract from
R7 also.
5. P1 to fine tune the quench, and the bias. P2 for only adjustable bias .
Important note:
The C8 is very important to filter out quench oscillation, otherwise you don not hear anything....
the quick pattern

the Audio amplifier

pick one from Audio: Discrete Power Amplifier if you pick up a low gain amplifier, please pick up a pre-amplifier
Audio: Pre-amplifier 2011.

Listen the Voice

YouTube Video

Debugging Tips: it definitely work

You'd ensure you connect every component correctly, and if it still receive nothing. here is step to debug. I built it
again and again i learn 2 things to make it work, the RF and the quench . the super regenerative receive is a
combination of 2 oscillators, the RF and the quench. while RF and quench is ready, the receiver is done.
1. Make RF oscillator work
you can check is the RF work by check the sawtooth of the quench. once you get saw tooth at top of P1, indicate
the receiver is ready to receive signal.
in case it not oscillate, or there is dead point, try increase C1, or add C13 to BE junction. this ensure in a
reasonable tune range without "dead spots" and "flutter" point.
if you change T1, from 9018 to other type transistor especially high Ft, it often can not start oscillating in the low
end of tune range, the reason, check my another experiment: VFO: ultra-audion LF to VHF , the solution is just
increase C1 or add C13.
2. the filter circuit for audio output
when i built the 3rd version, i try to make quench adjustable. use P1. At first, i use 5K POT with 0.001uF
capacitor. i check it by oscilloscope. i ensure RF and quench is work well. but you know what, it can not receive
anything, even no hiss noise.
i check the circuit use oscilloscope, find the sawtooth quench signal is delivered by T2 instead of the audio, that's
is not hear-able signal. carefully check found i dos not solder the C8[T2's collector], C8 is the key to filter out
the quench signal. a collector audio output is a option worthy to try, refer to : 27Mhz: Walkie Talkie Experiment
3. Performance: Quench frequncy and bias
now i hear a little bit hiss noise. but lightly, the receiver is not sensitive, i doubt the quench frequncy, then, a 47k
POT is soldered, finally a 22k resistor make the most sensitive receiver. but the bias changed also, i do not know
what happens exactly. [continue this topic in Super Regen: Make it work.]
the next experimental show if just change the quench frequncy, there is no performance change. this show the bias
is the key to a good super-regenerative receiver. this is reasonable, like Regenerative, just oscillating, the most
sensitive.[fix me]
Another important thing about self quench is that: while tuning a widely range, i.e from top of 100Mhz to around
150Mhz. the quench frequency is changed along with RF. from around 100Mhz to 150Mhz, quench frequency from
270khz to 300khz.
finally detect the AM and the FM need different bias setting to get clear voice, enjoy!
4. decouple: highly recommended put a resistor to collector of detector transistor T1, form a decouple network, the
value from 1k to 10k. use POT to determined the best value.

Boxing: performance dramatically increased

there is a way to temporarily improve the signal strength: connect random wire to GND, near the detector
transistor. connect it when you try to receive something at the first time. this way make easy to find signal. but
some time this lead to "motor boating" oscillation.
and there is a amazing phenomenon, after boxing, it's performance much better than it's out of box, might because:
1) use double side PCB as ground
2) short wire connection
and there is no body effect at all! voice clear and loud for AM of aircraft.
successfully copy local ham call, ham alliance air meeting, they will proceed emergence Communication
Convention this Saturday. several weeks play around , show me a phenomenon, when copy VHF FM transceiver,
the signal is strong but voice is so week. And able to copy transceiver talking around 10mile away .

Final thought
When change a design, use POT to make adjust easy. the receiver performance is good. Air Band use super
receiver is almost a nightmare. the most time there is no signal, or it's weak, the loudly noise make you crazy. listen
to AM/FM broadcast is acceptable anyway.
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