hi
i want to build a simple radio preferably not a crystal set as we dont get reception much here, i dont want to just buy a chip eigther, so any recomendations for links for a simple radio project?
i also have a question on signal generators but that can wait, also my meters are here but i havnt got the RTCC working yet so i havnt looked at them, i wanted to use (want dad to buy) a microchip serial tool to trouble shoot the RTCC but he said use the logic analyzer and pattern generator on it??? is this a good way? or is dad being a tight arse?
thank you
Understand that ANY receiver is, to a large extent, only as good as its antenna.
That said, I would encourage you to re-consider a crystal set.
Admittedly low-tech and without much in the way of audio volume, it will work for you if you put up a decent antenna.
HINT: Night time reception is often (but not always) best.
Since most little xtal kits are for AM, a "long-wire" (the longer, the better) antenna will work quite well.
Here's a list of stations in Plymouth:
NOTE! Be
very careful with ANY antenna as they ALL represent deadly potential lightning strike dangers.
Now, I don't presume to know anything about your level of experience or understanding of things electronic. I will say that a xtal radio, if you care to investigate the "why" of how they work, will teach you a boat load about radio signal detection that will be entirely applicable to most all radio work you may do in the future.
Throw in a variable capacitor and that addition alone will pretty much cover everything you come to play with that involves resonant circuits. And the list goes on.
I started out in electronics (a little younger than you, age 10) with a xtal set (and a long wire antenna) in the hills of Kentucky, well over 50 miles (at that time, late 1950s) from the nearest AM station transmitter (WLAP, 630KHz) , with mountains in between. And that little xtal set worked just fine...
And Ham Radio is, indeed, very, very cool...
73's
CBB
K4NFF