RC 1977 08
RC 1977 08
RC 1977 08
CONSTRUCTOR
AUGUST 1977
Volume 31 No. 1
L.E.D. VU METER
by A. P. Roberts
ULTRAVIOLET DEPOLYMERIZATION
by Michael Lorant
NEWS AND COMMENT
TIMES PAST
-- Blob -a -job
12
17
18
20
24
by H. Ross Macdonald
Telegrams
Databux, London
26
by R. J. Caborn
27
30
by R. A. Penfold
by N. R. Wilson
IN YOUR WORKSHOP
45
50
51
COLLECTOR SPECIFICATIONS
(Notes For Newcomers) by F. T. Jones
54
RADIO TOPICS
56
NEW PRODUCTS
PJoduction.-Web Offset.
1977
by Recorder
AUGUST
TRADE FUNCTION
Constructor
36
32
is printed
58
iii
..:.,''/t'
.
'1.....: . ..
';
a
..
...:..,,i.
As
special
offer to
Radio and Electronics
Constructor readers
and Get
Please rush me
Packs of 3 2 -IC + My Free 2V5 Blob
For only 1.01 per pack of 3.
Please add 20p for Post + VAT for all orders
PB
2
S2
Invaluable for
holding P.C.B.'s and other
panels when inserting and soldering
components. Can be adjusted to suit work up to 28Umm,
rotating to gain access to reverse side and locks in any
position. All metal.
Price 10 inc. VAT. p&p 1
Si
Drill Stand
Drill Stand
TEL: 01-977
0878
i-------
---- EnrleeesoinlminMIMIMI
Brochure, without obligation to:
I
I
I
NAME
ADDRESS
elal-- -ef---------ueleletelu
REC 87
Ilia
AUGUST 1977
Nis
asauow
ism-- umumelelow
I
I
3
10.00
4"
POST
FREE
dia. lens
FLEXIBLE
MAGNIFIER
WITH CAST IRON BASE,
PRECISION GROUND AND
POLISHED LENS, CHROME PLATED
FRAME AND FLEXIBLE TUBE.
NEW STYLE
SELF -BINDER
for "Radio & Electronics
Constructor
7f" x 9f")
The "CORDEX" Patent Self -Binding
Case will keep your issues in mint
condition. Copies can be inserted or
removed with the greatest of ease. Rich
maroon finish, gold lettering on spine.
(Max format
CALLERS WELCOME
(Subject to price ruling at the time of issues
Wilmslow
Audio
THE firm for speakers!
SEND 10P FOR THE WORLDS BEST
CATALOGUE OF SPEAKERS, DRIVE UNITS
KITS, CROSSOVERS ETC. AND DISCOUNT
PRICE LIST
BOWERS &
BAKER
AUDAX
CELESTION
CASTLE
WILKINS
DALESFORD
COLES
CHARTWELL
ACT
FANE
ELAC
I.M.F.
HELME
GOODMANS
KEF
JORDAN WATTS
ISOPHON JR
LOWTHER
MCKENZIE MONITOR
LEAK
RAM
RADFORD
PEERLESS
AUDIO
TANNOY
SEAS
RICHARD ALLAN
VIDEOTONE WHARFEDALE
DECCA
GAUS
EMI
EAGLE
PRICE
1 .Z 0
including V.A.T.
Available only
WILMSLOW AUDIO
P.&P. 30p
from:-
DEPT REC
JUBILEE SALE
TESTED TRANSISTOR PAKS
Type
100
7400
7401
7402
7403
7404
7405
7406
7407
7408
7409
7410
7411
7412
7413
7416
7417
7420
7422
7423
7425
7426
7427
7428
7430
7432
7433
7437
7438
0.09 0.08
0.11 0.10
0.11 0.10
0.11 0.10
0.11 0.10
0.11 0.10
0.28
0.28
0.12
0.12
0.09
0.22
0.22
0.26
0.28
0.26
Quantity
100
Type
0.25
0.25
0.11
0.11
0.08
0.20
0.20
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.10
0.18
0.20
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.34
0.10
0.19
0.36
0.25
0.25
0.10
0.57
0.70
0.90
0.90
0.76
0.75
0.68
7448
7450
7451
7453
7454
7460
7470
7472
7473
7474
7475
7476
7480
0.70
0.12
0.12
0.12
0.12
0.12
0.24
0.20
0.26
0.24
0.44
0.26
0.45
0.90
0.75
0.8$
0.85
1.10
0.28
Type
Quantity
100
0.68 74122
0.10 74123
0.10 74141
0.10 75145
0.10 74150
0.10 74151
0.23 74153
0.19 74154
0.22 74155
0.23 74156
0.40 74157
0.25 74160
0.42 74161
0.88 74162
0.73 74163
0.82 74164
0.80 74165
1.00 74166
0.26 74174
74175
0.32 74176
0.62 74177
0.35 74180
0.35 74181
0.68 74182
0.58 74184
0.68 74190
0.90 74191
0.35 74192
0.25 74193
0.25 74194
0.45 74195
0.72 74196
0.82 74197
1.20 74198
0.26 74199
0.45
0.65
0.68
0.75
1.10
0.65
0.70
1.20
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.95
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.10
0.85
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.90
0.80
1.50
1.40
1.40
1.10
1.05
1.05
0.80
0.90
0.90
1.90
1.80
0.42
0.62
0.65
0.72
1.05
0.60
0.68
1.10
0.68
0.68
0.68
0.85
0.85
0.85
0.85
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.00
0.82
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.80
0.78
1.40
1.30
1.30
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.75
0.85
0.85
1.80
1.70
7481
7482
7483
0.11
7484
0.19
7485
0.21
7486
0.25
7489
0.25
7490
0.38
0.25
7491
0.65
0.36
7492
0.43
0.12
7493 0.38
0.20
7494
0.70
0.38
0.60
7495
0.26
7496
0.70
0.26
74100 0.95
7440 0.12
74104 0.40
7441
0.60
74105 0.30
7442
0.80
74107 0.30
7443
0.95
74110 0.48
7444 0.95
74111 0.76
7445 0.80
74118 0.85
7446 0.80
74119 1.30
7447 0.70
74121 0.28
Devices may be mixed to qualify for quantity price. Data is
available for' the above series of IC's in booklet form
Price 35p
CMOS ICs
Type
CD4000
CD4001
CD4002
CD4006
CD4007
CD4008
CD4009
CD4010
CD4011
CD4012
CD4013
CD4015
CD4016
CD4O17
CD4018
CD4019
CD4020
CD4021
Pesce
0.18
0.18
0.18
f0.80
0.18
0.80
f0.50
0.50
0.18
0.18
0.42
0.80
0.42
0.80
0.85
0.45
0.95
0.85
Type
Price
CD4022
CD4023
CD4024
CD4025
CD4O26
CD4027
CD4028
CD4029
CD4030
CD4031
CD4035
CD4037
CD4040
C04041
CD4042
CD4043
CD4044
CD4045
0.80
0.18
0.64
0.18
1.85
0.48
0.80
0.95
0.46
1.80
1.40
0.78
0.78
0.68
0.68
0.78
0.78
1.15
Type
CD4046
CD4047
CD4049
CD4050
CD4054
CD4055
CD4056
CD4069
C04070
CD4071
CD4072
CD4081
CD4082
C04510
CD4511
CD4516
CD4518
CD4520
Price
0.95
f0.75
0.46
0.46
0.95
1.60
1.15
0.32
0.32
0.20
0.20
f 0.20
f0.20
1.10
1.25
1.10
f1.10
3 each
J2
J3
J4
J5
J6
J7
J8
J9
J10
10 off. BC107
10 off BC108
J11
J12
J13
J14
J15
J31
J32
J33
80338*
J22
J23
J24
J25
J26
J27
J28
J29
BFX84
BF194/5/6*
BF258
BFX29
3 x
0071
4 each ZTX108/9 2 x
4 e
2 each ZTX301/2
2 each ZTX500/1/2
4 each 2N706/2N708
J21
2
2 each BC182/3/4*
2 each BC212/213/214*
2 x BC327
3 x BC328*
2 x BC337
3 x
2 each BF115-BF167-8F173
2 a
2 x
6 x
J20
BC148/149-2 BC147*
BC169/171./172*
each BC177/8/9
3 each
3 each
each BFy50/51/52
ZTX107*
ZTX300*
each 2N2218/19/21/22
each M2904/05
3 e
7 x
2N2907 2
2N2926 G*
2N2906
4 x 2N3053
2 x 2N3055
3 each 2N3702/03/04*
2N3904/06*
each
12
12
12
12
0A200
J34
J35
J36
OA202.
J37
0A81
0A91
e
e
x
x
15
20
15
10
a
e
1N4148
1N4001
1N4002
J38
J39
J40
8 a
5 x.
IN4004
J41
4
3
J42
5 o
OPTOELECTRONICS
J43
J44
J45
J46
J47
J48
3 x ORP12 equivalent
5 x
1N5404
IN5408
2.80
0.50
0.50
0.50
1.20
1.00
4 x DL707 r Data
5 x .125 Red LED
5 x .2 Red LED
5 x 2 and .125 LED's mixed colours
'
IN4007
IN5400
IN5401
OCP71
THYRISTOR PAKS
J49
J50
lamp SCR's
5amp SCR's
2 x 50V,
1
50V,
2 x
400V,
400V,
x
x
1.00
1.50
600V
600V
UNIJUNCTION/F.E.T. PAKS
J51
1.00
0.60
TIS43/UT46
2N3819
J52
6 x
4 x
J53
J54
P.C.B. PRODUCTS
1.00
1.00
RESISTOR PAK
1.60*
1.60*
ELECTROLYTIC PAK
J57
1.20*
CERAMIC PAK
J58
1.60*
ORDERING
J60
J61
J62
V.A.T.
J16
J17
J18
1.10
AC128/AC I76
J1
Sockets
10 x 14 pin D.I.L. Sockets
9 x 16 pin D.I.L. Sockets
11 x 8 pin D.I.L.
1 .00
1 .00
1 .00
ZENER PAKS
J63
J64
1.00
1.00
-,
TRADE
CO M P 0 N E IVTS
VALVE BASES
Printed circuit B9A-B7G
4"
5p
letter
70p
for
"
220pF
20p
ALUMINIUM
21" x 5"x 1+" 45p
4'.
4"
4"
45p
x 2,1
'1
;t,.
45p
10"
1
shaft.
Approx.
with indicator
Pack of 5. 50p
5-
4p
4p
5p
5p
6p
6p
8p
8p
9p
12p
17p
24p
75p
10p
10p
13p
--- - - --
50 4p 5p 6p
100 5p 6p 10p
19p
250 9p 10p 11p
28p
500 103p 11 p 17p
45p
1000 13p 22p 40p
1.50
2000 23p 37p 45p
As total values are too numerous to list, use this
price guide to work out your actual requirements
8/20. 10/20, 12/20 Tubular tantalum 20p each
16-32275V. 100-100/150V. 100-100/275V 30p;
50-50385V. 12,000/12V, 32-32-50/300V, 2020-20/350V 60p; 700 mfd/200V 1.00; 100-100-
x "
x 44-" x
2"
3" 1.02
1.20
100-150-150/320V 2.00.
RESISTORS
1,-+-4- watt
Pole
Way
Type
INDICATORS
30p
.. .. 2p Bulgin D676 red, takes M.E.S. bulb
18p Upwatt
12 volt or Mains neon, red pushfit .. .. 18p
to 15 watt wire
6
2
20p' wound
6p R.S. Scale Print, pressure transfer sheet .10p
1
3
Sp
or 2% five times
CAPACITOR GUIDE -,maximum 500V
1
2
20p price.
Up
to .01 ceramic 3p. Up to .01 poly 4p.
2
3
16p Cinch 8 way std 0.15
to .1 poly etc. 5p..12 up to .68 poly
S.P.S.T. 10 amp 240v. white rocker switch pitch edge, connector2Op .013 up
etc. 6p. Silver mica up to 360pF 8p, then to
flushpanel
fitting20
with neon. 1" square
q
P
Semiconductor Data 2,200pF 11p, then to .01 mfd 18p.
;S.P.S.T. dot 13 amp, oblong, push-fit, rockerl5p
Book 171 pages. Covers
8p
1/600: 12p. .01/1000, 8/20. .1/900,
types 25Al2
.22/900,- 4/16. .25/250 AC (600vDC) 40p.
Sidleen/AFA VeryHigh
Securitybarrel KeyJapanese
g
through to
5/150, 10/150, 40/150,
Switch. 2 tubular keys
1,50 Type/connection/parameter details
1.50 Many others and high voltage in stock.
4
AUDIO LEADS
to open end, 1+ yd twin screened 35p
35p
1k
for 1.95
horizontal preset
with knob
3p
No VAT
types
Skeleton Presets
'
THERMISTORS
TV KNOB
Dark grey plastic for recessed shaft (quarter
inch) with free shaft extensidn
5p
ENM Ltd. cased 7 -digit counter 2x 11 x 1
approx. 12V d.c. (48 a.c.) or mains
75p
ZM1162A INDICATOR TUBE
0-9 Inline End View. Rectangular Envelope 170V
2.5MA
1
REGULATED TAPE MOTOR
9v d.c. nominal approx 1}" diameter
3p
1.5m Edgetype
60p
VA1034,
V1040,
VA1066,
V1100
VA1077,
V1005,
RELAYS
mercury12
t
Swetted
plug
RADIO
SHACK
THEJOHNS
BATTERSEA, LONDON
t pto
a-
a;
.o
41
>-
-Ti
c
>
+J
z .!
2 3
U
21
-z
o
30p
5p
W00
Y
sJcoi_ o
c
o mE
002
"
a CQ
mc
go
oft
o.
.- a
-'
m
.p
In
N
7
D
00
O
Q
CO
C.4
c(0,-
J7
-II
co
n p
>
eL
co 00
CO
cn
co
CV
-o
co
OZS
(-)
-a
0
`t."
-.J
MAINS DROPPERS
66+66-158 ohm, 66-66-1-137 ohm
I5p
17+14;-6
ohm, 266
-14
5p
5p
193 ohm
50p
30p
8p
4p
ohm
as
1P
ct1
p-
La
>.
rn
2p
(-
Op
o
Qoo
C1/FX1M/
GCM21T/22T/GKM24T/GKS25/GP59.
B.S.R.
re
ce
a
w
le
15p
Ca.
co
cca
25p
40p
o
-C2
4p
OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS
STY. 1.11
y
12
high5"
S.W.11
HILL,
till 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. VAT receipts on request.
Terms: Payment with order Telephone: 01-223 5016
3.5mm metal
p,
161 ST.
Open 10 a.m.
CONNECTOR STRIP
Belling Lee L1469, 4 way polythene. 8p each
11 glass tuses 250 maor 3 amp (box of 121
6p
40p
speed
P.O. 30)0 type, 1,000
I.
u,
2SD335.-p
3 pin din
aa>
SWITCHES
Q)
BOXES
Chassis B7-B7G
9p
Shrouded chassis B7G-B9A-B8A
.. 10p
... 10p
Octal chassis B12A tube
Speaker 6"
st class
(1
O.
co
cux
SEMICONDUCTORS
2N2401
2N2412
2N2483
30p
70p
23p
15p
14p
50p
2N2904/5/6/7/7A
AC128/17,6
ACY28
AD149
AF116
vt .4j
O
T""
co
`-'
a)
BC178A/B, 179B
BC184C/LC
BC186/7
BC213L/214B
BC2618
BC327/8, 337/8
BC547/8/8A/8C
1.4
co
as
o >
tu
m C
C. O
N O
L
,
O
v)
m
O
CO)
2 a
CO
tol)
CD
YC
'^
O
aS
.42
C)
a.a7
C C
7
I
CD
3
"" ++
ao ?
m =
co
C
CD
C7
V
C
=k-
Lu
O 2 7
J
C 171
C
62p
0P
30p
27p
1
6p
500
600
200
300
1,200
17p
20p
17p
13p
50p
30p
26p
30p
80p
90p
14p
27p
12p
FX 12/29/30
BFX84/88/89
BFY50/51/52
BFY90
BR 101
5p
40p
20p
45p
23p
7p
30p
50p
14p
40p
15p
5P
59
18}p
7p
8p
14p
10p
40p
45p
50p
55p
26p
35p
40p
52p
40p
50p
60p
80p
35p
45p
55p
30p
65p
80p
95p
1.00
1.50
1.75
2.00
60p
1.75
2.50
BPX40
50p
80p
BPX42
80p
BPY10
(VOLTIAC).
PY681
BPY69
BPY77 J
B
80p
OCP71
34p
BIG L.E.D.
2v 50m/A
max.
0.2"
RED
TRIACS
Plastic RCA 1.20
BTX94- 900
4.00
BTX94-1200
6.00
25
25
900
1200
RS
2mm Terminals
for 40p
15p
5p
50p
Relay socket
Take miniature 2PCO relay
10p
5p
31p
20p
30p
'
0A5/7/10
%
15p
..
BZY88 Up to 33 volt 7p
15p
BZX61 11 volt
BR100 Diac.
15p
..._
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
TAA700
TBA800
2.00
1.00
SN76013N
1.20
TAD100 AMRF
1
CA3001 R.F. Amp 50p
CD4013 CMOS
36p
TAA300 1wt Arno
mA. These current ratings
1
can be safely exceeded
22p
TAA550 Y or G
by 50%.
TAA263 Amp
65p
3.50 + 1.00 p&p.
7400
10p
7402/4/10/20/30 14p
WOODS 240V A.C.
7414
56p
Approx. 2,500 r.p.m.
7438/74/86
24p
continuous rated 5 or
7483
69p
bin. FAN Ceo -computed
LM300, 2-20 volt
1
3.60 plus 1 p&p
90p
74154
TBA550Q
_1_50
THYRISTORS
Amp Volt
..
240 BTX18-200
1
30p
400 BTX18-300
..
35p
..
240 BTX30-200
1
30p
C core. Screen -95105-115-125-200-220- 240v
input: output 17v }A x
2 + 24-0-24v 1.04A + 20v
Ferromag
500 BT107
500 BT101-500R
..
500 BT109-500R
600 BTW92-600RM
800 BTX95-800R Pulse Modulated
1000 28T10 (Less Nut)
..
20
15
30
90p
1.00
3.00
.. 8.00
,.
3.00
segment L.E.O. 14
0-9+D.P. display 1.9v
COY11 B L.E.D.
red transmitter
One fifth of trade
I.C.
tool
CRAZY OFFERS
15p
Philips Iron Thermostat
...
McMurdo PP108 8 way edge plug 10p
TO3 HEATSINK
Europlec HP1 TO3B individual 'curly'
2000 mfd.
2500 mfd.
.1
30p
11p
BC186
8p
BCY30-34
8p
BCY70/1/2
4p
BY126/7
10p
1HG 1005
HG5009
3p
HG50793p
L78/9
3p
10p
M3
3p
0A81
3p
0A47
3p
OA200-2
20p
0C23
TIC44
24p
2G240
2G302
1,
5p
2G401
2N711
25p'
5p,
2N2926
2N598/9
2N1091
2N1302
2N1907
4p
6p
Op'
8p'
1
Germ. diode 1p
GET1201AC128
in
1"
sq.
heat
sink
GET872
15p
2S3230
30p
12p,
10p
50v 16p
40v 30p
8 mfd.
500v 6p
400 mfd.
16v 4p
.1 mfd, 350/500v 11p
8p
32p
CHASSIS SOCKETS
Car Aerial 9p, Coax 3p, 5 pin
180 9p, 5 or 6 pin 240 din
6p, speaker din switched 5p
3.5 mm switched 5p, stereo
I" jack enclosed 10p.
Amp
Volt
2N30551
30,9
ASZ20
ASZ21
800
8p
20p
34p
2SA141/2/360
2S8135/6/457
40250 (2N30541
14p
15
14p 6.5
14p 6.5
ORANGE
YELLOW
Avalanche type
6
21V3053
2N3055 R.C.A.
2N3704
2N3133
2N4037
2N5036 (Plastic
OPTO ELECTRONICS
Photo transistor
Diodes
80p
BPX29
TIL209 Red 12p
41" dia.
AUGUST 1977
90p
(1"
L
....
50p
15p
20p
15p
6p
260P
40p
EC433
Texas
v1
V/
CC
25
40
40
OSH01-200
BY164
h.
a7 CO
Q'
H
BYX20-200
BYX52-300
BYX52-1200
49p
BYX10
RECTIFIERS
Amp
Volt
N4004/5/6
1
4/6/800
1250
IN4007/BYX94
1
BY103
1,500
SR100
1.5
100
1.5
400
SR400
REC53A
1,250
1.5
LT102
2
30
2.5
300
BYX38-300R
600
2.5
BYX38-600
BYX38-900
2.5
900
2.5
1,200
BYX38-1200
2.5
300
BYX48 300R
600
BYX49-600
3
BYX49-900
900
3
1,200
BYX49-1200
3
6
300
BYX48-300R
8YX48-600
6
600
BYX48-900
6
900
1,200
13YX48-1200R 6
10
150
BYX72-150R
10
BYX72-300R
300
BYX72-500R
10
500
10
BYX42-300
300
10
BYX42-600
600
10
BYX42-900
900
BYX42-1200
10
1,200
300
BYX46-300R5 15
400
BYX46-400R" 15
BYX46-5008"
BYX46-600
BRY39/56
BSV64
BSV79/80 F.E.T.s
BSV81 Mosfet
BSX20/21
BSY40
RSY95A
CV7042 (0C41/44
ASY63)
GET111
ON222
TI P30/305 5
TIS88A F.E.T.
ZTX300/341
2N393 (MA393)
2N456A
2N929
2N987
2N1507/2219
BF194A. 195C
BF200, 258, 324
BF202/3
BF336
BFS28 Dual Mosfet
9p
15
15
80p
BF180/1/2/3/4/5
8F 194/5/6/7
BFW10/11 F.E.T.
BFW30
BFW57/58
BDX77
BD437
8-F115/167/173
8F 178/9
0 L m
80201/2/3/4
B D2 32/4/5/8
400
a)
O V V
0.6
BD140/142
40p
12p
50p
12p
50p
31p
35p
30p
30p
BRIDGE RECTIFIERS
Volt
1,600
140
42
110
Amp
BD 131 /2/3
BD 135/6/7/9
12p
9p
20p
10p
8p
8p
10p
BC555/6/7/8/9
tn
16-1p
AF124/6/7
25p
AF139
20p
AF 178/80/81
30p
AF239
30p
ASY27/73
30p
BC107/8/9 + A/B/C
6p
BC147/8/9 + A/B/C/S 6p
BC157/8/9 + A/B/C
6p
O O
Cg
BCX32 36
BCY40
B CY70/1 /2
BD113
BD115/6
8p
19p
40p
OTHER DIODES
6p
1N916
..
1N4148
..
.. 2p
BA145
..14p
Centercel
24p
BZY61/BA148
_.10p
2200
1000
10000
1250
6800
32+32
16+32
8+8
150
100
1
mfd.
mfd.
mfd.
mfd
mfd.
mfd.
mfd.
mfd.
mfd.
mfd.
1500v
25v
200v
'15v
35v
10v
275v
350v
350v
35v
d.
mfd.nonmf-polar35ov70v
100v
160v
4/00 pf.sub min 500v
4700 mfd.
63v
300v
250 mfd.
680 mfd.
15 mfd.
4700 mfd.
25000 mfd.
1000 mfd.
1500 mfd.
2p
30p
25p
12p
10p
6p
Sp
12p
Bp
4'1p
43
3pp
10p
3p
11p
70p
16p
40v 35p
25v 20p
63v 30p
70v 16p
759 each'
5%
Hi -stab,
capacitors
.013,
.056,
.061, .066, .069, .075, .08,
099,`
2p each
G.E.C.
24
26 to 42
3p
2.6p
GAR RARD
Stereo
GCS23T Crystal
66p
Cartridge
Mono (Stereo compatible),
Ceramic or crystal
60p
-
HANDLES
Rigid light blue nylon
61" with secret fitting
(screws
..
5p
Belling Lee white
plastic surface coax
outlet box 20p
2p
RS 10 Turn Pot 1%
250,
50K
500
O.,
1K,
1
10"
TIE CLIPS
Nylon
self
locking
32
2P
Geared Knob
TOWERS INTERNATIONAL
TRANSISTOR SELECTOR
(NEW REVISED EDITION)
This is dead!
If it takes you longer than
minute to find out all about
these transistors then you
need a copy of TOWER'S
INTERNATIONAL_
TRANSISTOR
IX
LT
2N909
ERR
NNUUM
PACKAGE
NS
VCB
VCE
INFO
MAX
MAX
L01
60V
30V
TO16
POL
MAi
:EXAM PLEI
Z N909
r=LEADVo
P,0,
T,.
IF
A,,
B IAS
0
L
TOLE
NS
Nl
O IDEN
ROY
200
)ETV
5V
MA
110
MN
FE
MAX
TOT
MIN
MAX
5V
200MA
175C
500NANF
50M
25P
USE
SUP UK
PLI
ER SUN
50
MA AMG SG1
OOTNOTE
EIA
NPN
GERMANIUM
SILICON
OUTLINES
APPENDIX
SUGGESTED
PROELECTRON
STANDARD POSSIBLE
SUBSTITUTE
WA,
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE
COLLECTOR
VOLTAGE
CIRCUIT
BASE
WITH EMITTER OPEN
SUPPLIER
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE
COLLECTOR EMITTER
VOLTAGE WITH
BASE
VOLTAGE WITH
MAXIMUM
KILOHERTZ
OFF
E,
M
MEGAHERTZ G
FREQUENCY AT WHICH COMMON EMITTER CURRENT
GAIN DROPS TO UNITY TYPICAL F. CAN BE TAKEN AS
ROUGHLY TWICE F. o,.
110MN
EURO
BIAS
USE
MFR
SOMA
AMG
SGI
BSX33
EOVT
ISS
2N731
by T. D. TOWERS
MBE, MA, BSc,
Eng, MIERE
5.00
inc. post and packing
Selector
To:-DATA PUBLICATIONS LTD.
57 MAI DA VALE
LONDON W9 1SN
Please send me
copy/copies
NAME
ADDRESS
INDICATED IN
GIGAHERTZ
' ISS
AT WNICN CURRENT
IS CHARACTERISED
IN
IAS CURRENT
GAIN
INDICATION OF
APPLICATION USAGE
SEE APPENDIX A
RASE
i REE
APPENDIX
CODE
OPEN CIRCUIT
JF DEC
STANDARD
POSSIBLE
SUBSTITUTE
CAS
REFER TO LEAD
APPENDIX
2N
O.PNP
S
723
SUGGESTED
REFER TO
15S
SUB
H FE
Tower's
International
Transistor
USA
B))SX
NUMERO
ALPHABETIC
LISTING
N
MAX
AX
MD
OATH
LINE ENTRY
THEN
(Block capitals)
RADIO AND ELECTRONICS gONSTRUCTOR
ambit INTERNATIONAL
Double Economy
Drivers
From left to right, the EF5800 6 circuit varicap FM tunerhead
with the 7030 linear phase IF and the 91196 PLL stereo decoder with integral 55kHz 'birdy' filter. The system provides afc
muting, meter drives, agc, auto stereo switch, & a specification
that exceeds broadcast requirements. Now available with a new
EF5801 tunerhead, with FET buffered oscillator output for
synthesiser/frequency readout facilities.
EF5801.. 17.45; E F5800.. 14.00; 7030..10.95; 91196..12.99
This tuner
an
BIONIC FERRET
METAL LOCATOR
Ambit
has designed
Radio module selection: (Prices for kits in our catalogue & PLI
EF5800 Ambit 6stage varicap 88-108MHz tunerhead
14.00
EF5600 TOKO 5 stage varicap
12.95
..
EC3302 TOKO 3 stage varicap
7.50
..
7020
Dual ceramic filter FM IF system module
6.95
MPX decoder, with stereo filter and preamp
6.95
92310
MPX decoder with CA3090AQ + filter stage
7.35
93090
Super Spark
MK
LIMITING CONTROL
12.75
POST PAID U.K.
COMPLETE KIT OF
GUARANTEED PARTS
INC. VAT
10.50
POST PAID U.K.
Stirling Sound
Factory and Offices:
Kit @f10.50
My car is (year)
NAME
ADDRESS
RC877
9
DATA PROCESSING
UNDERSTAND DATA
PROCESSING
DATA PROCESSING, by Oliver & Chapman, is now in
its Third Edition
first published 1972.
200 pages
94"
6"
PRICE 2.50
Inclusive of postage
Available from:
D.P. PUBLICATIONS
4 AMPORT CLOSE, WINCHESTER, HANTS S022 6LP
No.
29
of
"Radio & Electronics
Constructor"
FOR YOUR LIBRARY
Comprising
776 pages
inc. index
AUGUST 1975
to
JULY 1976
DATA PUBLICATIONS
10
MAKE
THE
OF
YOUR
THE CATHODE-RAY
OSCILLOSCOPE & ITS USE
PRICE: 3.90
by Patchett
THE OSCILLOSCOPE IN USE
PRICE: 2.80
by I.R. Sinclair
POCKET CALCULATOR
PRICE: 95p
by L. Jansson
THE POCKET CALCULATOR GAME
BOOK
PRICE: 1.10
by E. Schlossberg
ADVANCED APPLICATIONS FOR
POCKET CALCULATORS
PRICE: 3.90
by J. Gilbert
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
PRICE: 1.36
by K. London
BUILD YOUR OWN WORKING ROBOT
PRICE: 3.80
by D. L. Heiserman
'
INTRODUCTION
TO
BASIC ELECTRONICS I -V
Schools Council
PRICE:
by T. L. Squires
OP -AMP CIRCUIT DESIGN &
MICRO-
T.V.
2.80
APPLICATIONS
PRICE: 5.30
MICROPROCESSORS/MICROPROGRAMMING HANDBOOK
PRICE: 4.00
by B. Ward
PROCESSORS
by Motorola
PRICE: 7,60
BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO
ELECTRONICS
PROCESSORS
by D. Aspinall
UNDERSTANDING
PRICE: 4.95
PRICE: 3.90
99 ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
PRICE: 2.65
by H.Friedman
110 OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER
PROJECTS FOR THE HOME
CONSTRUCTOR
PRICE: 2.80
by R. M. Marston
by J. Carr
MICRO-
PRICE: 3.75
T T L COOKBOOK
by D. Lancaster
by P. J. McGoldrick
FI
CLOCKS
by M. Robbins
PRICE: 3.85
PRICE: 4.40
PRICE: 6.60
& WATCHES
PRICE: 6.00
BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO AUDIO
PRICE: 3.00
by I. R. Sinclair
ELECTRONIC
IMPROVING
by J. Earl
5.46
HANDBOOK 1977
by A.R.R.L.
PRICE: 6.70
We have the Finest Selection of English and- American Radio Books in the Country
LOOK WOT
I GOT
I
I
fRt
NAME
ADDRESS
HOME
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RADIO
(Components)
LTD..
Dept.
RC
illustrated.
With every catalogue Home Radio give you free an up-todate Bargain List. Why wait? Send the coupon with a
cheque or P.O. for 1.40 to Home Radio Components,
240 London Road, Mitcham, Surrey.
AUGUST
1977
L.E.D. VU ME
By A. P. Roberts
volved.
The device which forms the subject of this article is really just a form of peak level indicator.
However, whereas most peak level indicators have
only one, or occasionally two indicator lamps, the
unit described here has seven. Thus it is not
necessary to use it in conjunction with an ordinary
VU meter; it can be used to replace it. Furthermore, it provides more reliable results since it is a
peak reading rather than an average reading indicator. Peak reading VU meters are the type that
are employed in professional recording es-
-12dB, -9dB, - 6dB, -3dB, 0dB and +3dB. The sensitivity of the unit is pre-set, and when it is at maximum only about 350 to 400mV r.m.s. is required
at the input to cause all the indicator lamps to turn
on.
Supply +
tablishments.
Input
signal
V.
Dl
"Ix
ret.
Fig.
ER
Housed in a 2 -tone plastic case with an anodised
aluminium front panel, the l.e.d. VU meter has a striking
presentation
Resistors
(All fixed values + watt 5% unless otherwise stated.
See text for close tolerance resistors).
Rl 120kn
R2 1.2Mn
R3 150kn close tolerance
R4 100ko close tolerance
COMPONENTS
Capacitors
Cl 0.1F type C280 (Mullard)
C2 1000' electrolytic, 10 V. Wkg.
Semiconductors
IC1 CA3401E or LM3900N
IC2 CA3401E or LM3900N
D1 small l.e.d., red, with mounting bush
D2 small l.e.d., yellow, with mounting bush
D3 -D7 small l.e.d., green, with mounting
bush
R5 1
close tolerance
R6
R7 100kn close tolerance
R8 1kn
R9 100kn close tolerance
R10 75kn close tolerance
R11 1kn
R12 2.2kn
D8 BZY88C3V9
R13 51kn close tolerance
R14 100k close tolerance
Switch
R15 lkn
Si s.p.s.t., rotary
R16 36k n close tolerance
R17 100kn close tolerance
Socket
R18 1kn
SK1 3.5mm. jack socket
R19 100kn close tolerance
Miscellaneous
R20 27kn close tolerance
Verobox type 75-1238D
R21 13kn close tolerance
Veroboard, 0.1 in. matrix
R22 1k
2 i.c. sockets, 14 way (optional)
R23 100kn close tolerance
knob
Control
R24 1kn
9 volt battery type PP6 (Ever Ready)
VR1 10041 pre-set potentiometer, standard
Battery connector.
skeleton, horizontal
nun
AUGUST 1977
13
+9V
DI
D3
D2
ICI
+3dB
pin
OdB
ICI
R5
1/4 ICI
R12
&R9
1/4 ICI
12
if
-3dB
14
R7
1/4
1/4 ICI
R11
13
Cal-
R3
SKI
Input
C2
10
RIO
ICI
pin 7
D8
9V
D4
IC2
pin 7
-6dB
IC2
pin
D7
-18dB
14
R1
1/4 IC2
1/4 IC2
1/4
IC2
13
-1MM
R24
R13
R16
NNM
ICi, IC2
- CA 3401 E or LM3900N
Fig. 2. The complete circuit of the /.e.d. VU meter. The l.e.d.'s light up at the decibel levels shown
alongside them
14
PRACTICAL CIRCUIT
AUGUST 1977
is a
CONSTRUCTION+
15
0 0
o o
o o
...41.
T
S
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
o
0 o
o
0
0
0 0
o o
0
o
o 0
,
o
iSKI
/eartt y
o
o
9V+ from
o
Si
000000000000
o o
o
0
0
0
o0 o
RI
o o
011D2+
0 0
o
O
0
0
0 0
C
8
\
o
0
0
o o
O
o o
O
o o
D7+ o
is-ArD
0 0
0 0
12 13 14 15
16 17
18 19
...D1
0
o o
23
o
o
o
o O
0 0
0 0
0 0
O 0
25
27
29
31
o
0
0
c/
/o
33
37
35
Di -De : +
o o
o o
o o o
o o
(o)
o o
o
o o
o o
0 o
o
o
o
cathode
1)
o
( o)
Mounting holes
c o 0
0O 0 0 0
O
0 0 O
O
0 0 0 0
D3+ 0
O
O
g o
21
C2
I
o
o o
R11
4 5 6 7 8 9 IO II
oR 8
o R5
000To-
0
O
4
o
92
+ 0 0 0
iR R2
O
O
IC2
R7
o
O
II
20
o o
o o
O
0
0
't
Rie
clip
11)..o
9V-
R13
(o)
(o)
(o)
jo)
(o)
(o)
()
()
(o)
(o)
(o)
()
(o)
(o)
(o)
(o)
()
(o)
(o)
()
(o)
o
o
o
o
o
R
S
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o o
1)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
o o
o o
o o o
o o
oo(o)o
o
o
ADJUSTMENT
Only one adjustment needs to be made to the
finished unit before it is ready for use, and that is
to set the correct sensitivity by means of VR1. The
prototype unit is used to monitor the output from a
mixer which has a nominal output level of 500mV.
In order to set up the l.e.d. VU meter a 500mV
r.m.s. signal (at a frequency of 1kHz) was fed to
SK1. VR1 was then adjusted to a point at which
RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CONSTRUCTOR
R. H. in
CI
VP
To RI
Pos.supply line
with subsequent
fabrication steps.
In tests, Dr. Bolon has found that ultraviolet depolmerization of photoresists proceeds at a rate of about
1,000 Angstroms per minute. But the process can be
made to operate ten times faster simply by injecting
two per cent ozone gas into the processing chamber.
Semiconductor wafers subjected to the ultraviolet
depolymerization process have been inspected with
Auger -emission spectroscopy, and this has confirmed that their surfaces are extremely clean and are
free of any carbonaceous residue. Furthermore, the
process is non-polluting as its only byproducts are
carbon dioxide and water.
17
NEWS
AND
INAUGURAL MONTREUX
ACHIEVEMENT GOLD MEDAL
AWARD
COVER DATE
The cover date on our next issue, to be,
COMMENT
'AMBISONICS' TEST BROADCAST NORTHERN RADIO
The first experimental `on -air' tests of a British SOCIETIES EXHIBITION
developed surround -sound system known as 'Ambisonics' or 45J were made recently on an Independent Local Radio station
Radio City in Liverpool. As part of the celebrations of the Queen's
Jubilee visit to Liverpool, Radio City broadcast a
specially commissioned performance of Mahler's
Eighth Symphony, the `Choir of a Thousand
Voices', from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
This test, formed part of a continuing investigation by engineers of the Independent Broadcasting
Authority into a number of systems for broadcasting sound radio programmes for reproduction
as `surround sound' in the home. The system to be
used during these experimental broadcasts is
known as Ambisonics and has been developed by
Michael Gurzon of Oxford University, Professor
Fellgett of Reading University and J. S. Wright, D.
Brown and J. Hayes with the support of the
National Research Development Council.
During the past few years a number of different
systems have been proposed for broadcasting additional directional information on stereophonic
VHF/FM transmissions. Such systems are usually
known as `quadraphony' (four -channel stereo) or
`surround sound' to distinguish them from existing
two -channel stereophony. The systems differ in the
manner of carrying or encoding the additional information on the transmitted signal. Some systems
use matrixing techniques to allow the additional
information to be carried on the conventional two
channels of a stereo transmission; others use either
INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING
CONVENTION 1978
IBC 78
The 7th International Broadcasting Convention
will take place in London, 25-29 September 1978.
IBC 78 will be held at the new Wembley Conference Centre
instead of Grosvenor House which has been the venue for the
past five of the six IBCs. This move, heralded in May last year,
to London's first purpose-built convention centre will enable the
IBC to benefit from the first class facilities at Wembley while
still being based in London, one of the main centres of broadcasting in the world, and be able to offer all the amenities of the
Capital.
IBC 78 is the seventh in a series of biennial broadcasting conventions which have become firmly established as an international forum for new techniques in broadcasting and allied
services and one of the world's leading international market
places for the latest broadcasting equipment and systems. Each
of these events has shown a dramatic growth in the number of
delegates attending and countries participating. Records were
again broken at IBC 76 when more than 2,600 delegates from 51
countries attended and at the complementary exhibition, 72 exhibitors representing leading manufacturers of the world displayed and demonstrated the latest professional broadcasting
equipment and services. It is expected that this continued
growth will again be highlighted at IBC 78.
AUGUST 1977
ZD9
.UMO
i%!ir8%W
19
SPECIAL
SERIES
No. 3
Incorporating two t.t.l. integrated circuits, this very simple circuit offers
twelve pre-set tones which are set up to form a complete twelve note scale.
The type of i.c. used is the 7414 hex Schmitt inverter. The 7414 has a set of six high gain inverting
amplifiers with a snap -over action, each of which
can be used as an oscillator by simply connecting
output to input via a resistor, and the input to
earth by way of a capacitor. The waveshape is a
series of pulses with unequal mark -to -space ratio;
the mark -to -space ratio can be improved
Supply
6 Schmitt
Earth
Fig.
20
1.
triggers
+5V
VR
VR2
VR5
VR6
14
ICI
7
C5
+5V
14
IC2
C
CIO
CI
COMPONENTS
Semiconductors
Resistors
VR1-VR12
skeleton, vertical
IC1 7414
IC2 7414
Capacitors
Blob Board
10 V. Wkg.
The completed 12 -note generator. The six central preset potentiometers are mounted at an angle for ease of
adjustment
21
TOP
EFGH JKLM
ABCD
NOPO
34
325
24
51
Index mark
Index mark
26
71
01B
3 27
8.7129
28
30-
31
33
/t rrt'afp
32r
13
15
22
23r
fo C ta th
Copocftors t<
39
38
19L
I
te`
137
36
ICI
171
21
35
114
#>l`I
40
41
42
43
23
h '8aard
to C12 aro
II
13
IS
17
C3
19
21:
23
TOP
VR1
r-- VR3
Track
Potentiometer body
(positive)
+11
411
IN
Track 2 (negative)
suitable angle
a series resistor.
From output
From output
From output
pin
1T
1
4001
pin
pin
= 47NF
4.7}jF
47NF
Ikn
IOOkrt
250n earpiece
16r
To amplifier
headphones
22krs
(a)
(b)
(c)
23
Times Past
by
H. Ross Macdonald
..
REFLEX SYSTEM
RFC
0.00011
000025
Aerial
pF
00001
0.00025
iF
0005
000025
0 0003NF
HT 60V
NF
O005
NF
pF
NF
*---1
0.0001
2Mn
RFC
LT 4V
The basic circuit of the V2 receiver. Valve V1 provides a measure of r.f. amplification whilst V2 functions
as a grid leak detector. The detected signal at V2 anode is coupled via the a.f. transformer back to V1,
which then also amplifies the a.f. signal
wind-up
EARLY MEMORY
My first encounter with this set was in the North of
Scotland in 1924, where it performed as well as could
be expected in a place so far distant from broadcasting stations. The owner was a choleric Irishman
and a retired Sergeant Major who had spent some 25
years in India. He was a large man, a loud man, and
AUGUST 1977
fronts
of'
receivers.
25
5-
BZY88C4V3
LOW VOLTAGE
BZYBBC3V3
4
Zener
ZENERS
voltage
By R. J. Caborn
Some care is needed when using zener
diodes with voltages lower than 6 volts.
2,
O
20
10
40
30
becomes very
zener voltages.
to diodes with
of 4.3 and 3.3
CHARACTERISTICS
Fig. 1 shows static voltage -current curves for three
diodes from the popular 400mW BZY88 range. These
TABLE 2
ZENER VOLTAGES
Zener
Current
BZY88C4V3
BZY88C3V3
Min.
Typ.
Max.
3.3
3.6
4.0
4.45
4.3
Min.
Typ.
Max.
3.9
2.4
2.75
3.0
4.5
4.95
3.1
3.3
3.5
4.0
3.5
4.2
10-
1mA
5mA
20mA
BZY88C9V1
4.7
Zener
voltage,
BZY88C6V8
BZV88C6V2
6
20mA.
5
10
20
40
30
Fig.
TABLE 1
ZENER VOLTAGES
Zener
Current
1mA
5mA
20mA
26.
Min.
BZY88C9V1
Typ.
Max.
8.55
8.6
9.0
8.7
9.4
9.1
9.5
9.6
9.7
Min.
5.7
5.8
5.95
BZY88C6V2
Typ.
Max.
5.9
6.2
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
SUGGESTED CIRCUIT
AUTO MAT/CT/C
POLARITY/BASE
RESOLVER
By G. A. French
s2
On-Off
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
AUGUST 1977
Test
terminals
3
4.5
R3
I
LEDI
kn
LED3
Fig.
base. When the switch arm connects to its emitter the transistor
functions as an amplifying transistor in the common emitter mode,
and when the switch arm connects
to its collector the transistor functions as an amplifying transistor
with the collector acting as an
emitter and the emitter functioning
as a collector. This assumes that the
transistor has a current gain of at
least unity when operated in this
manner, and the author has not yet
found a transistor which does not
offer this performance.
Regrettably, the diagrams for
Figs. 5(b) and 6(b) were transposed
in the earlier article.
changeover, one transistor in the oscillator is always off and the other
27
+45V
;;
A 3=stp oscillator cpablo of
O#f>srrI atarxrntic':operaTlpg of the
i`g
R1
R2
IOkn
Ikn
CI
47.jF
'.
B/irer
TRI
BC 107
r-SI
On
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
IOkn
Ikn
IOkn
Ikn
IOkn
-Off
Ikn
TR4
BC 107
TR5
BC 107
TR6
45V
BCIO7
C2
C3
47pF
47pF
10V wkg
IOV wkg
terminals
+rl1'
+O11-'
CI
Test
.L
47p
IOV wkg
R7
TRI
TR2
TR3
BC 107
BC1O7
BC 107
LED'
R9
RB
820n
B20n
820n
LED3
LED2
R1
-R9
LEDI- LED3
1/4
see
watt 5/0
text
BC 107
Lead -outs
Fig. 3. The complete circuit of the automatic polarity/base resolver. It is merely necessary to switch on
at Si, connect the transistor to be checked and observe the l.e.d.'s
28
LEDI
LED2
LED3
Card
000
\
N.P.N
BASE
BASE
3
P.N.P.
3
1
0 0 0
Terminal
1977
Terminal 2
Terminal 3
S1
Times = GMT
transmitters.
The "Voice of the One Lebanon" (in Arabic
"Sawt Lubnan al-Wahid") operates from 1030 to
1130 and from 2030 to 2130 in Arabic on 6170 and
on 9510. Broadcasts are anti -Syrian and against
the Syrian presence in Lebanon.
The "Voice of Arab Syria" (in Arabic "Sawt
Suriya al-Arabiya") is on the air from 0400 to
0500, 0700 to 0800 and from 1700 to 1800 on (surprise, surprise) 6170 and 9510. According to the
BBC Monitoring Service, to whom I am indebted
for the foregoing information, programmes include a newscast, press quotations and anti -Syrian
regime talks.
The back to front programmes? Oh yes, not
strictly speaking clandestine but perhaps the
nearest one can get, and certainly very interesting
to those of us who are aware of the current, `battles'
being fought on the short wave bands. I refer of
course to the broadcasts from Radio Peking on
reversed tape which are always in Russian. Several
theories have been advanced by Dxers as to just
why these broadcasts are carried out in such a
mode, the current favourite being that it is done to
avoid Russian jamming, such radiations being intended for Chinese provincial stations near the
Soviet border, not.equipped with landline facilities,
who promptly record the programme and
retransmit `right way up'. However, more about
this next month, meanwhile listen on 6550 from
1830 to 1925, you'll hardly be expected to understand Russian backwards but you can always tape
it and do the reversing bit yourself!
CURRENT SCHEDULES
ETHIOPIA
HUNGARY
"Radio Budapest" has an External Service in
which the following broadcasts, in English to
Frequencies = kHz
ISRAEL
"Kol Yisrael", Jerusalem has the following frequency schedule for its service in English to
Europe. From 1200 to 1230 on 11655, 15100,
15405 and on 17815; from 2000 to 2030 on 9815
and 11655.
CHINA
NETHERLANDS
NIGERIA
NORTH KOREA
channel.
KUWAIT
Radio Kuwait on the out -of-band frequency
12085 at 1837, OM with a talk on Zionism in
English.
EGYPT
USSR
Radio Moscow on 15100 at 1325, OM with identification "Radio Station Peace and Progress" in
the English programme directed to Asia.
ALBANIA
Radio Tirana on 9375 at 1450, YL in Polish to
MALAWI
Blantyre on 3380 at 1800, OM with station identification and a newscast in English.
SRI LANKA
NIGERIA
Lagos on 15140 at 1945, YL in English, local
pops on records.
ECUADOR
This country is easy to log by virtue of the HCJB
transmissions but Dxer colleague Gordon Bennett
of Stockport has brought to notice, in a recent
letter. that some readers may care to try for the
following Ecuador stations on the lower frequencies.
Radio National Espejo, Quito, on 4679 at 0200
(and often through to 0700).
Radio Splendit, Cuenca, on 5025 at 0355, LA
music programme with several identifications interspersed.
Emisoras Progreso, Loja, on 5060 at 0410, local
music with station identification. All these loggings
by G.B.
HONDURAS
La Voz Evangelica, Tegucigalpa, on 4820 at
0417, OM in English presenting a religious
AUGUST 1977
PERU
Radio Atlantida, Iquitos, on 4790 at 0530, local
style pop music. G.B. finds this station interesting
in that it features hardly any typical Andean music
of the type regularly heard when tuned to R. Andina, Chinchaycocha or Libertad.
Radio Andina, Huancayo, on 4996 at 0434, YL
with song in Spanish, OM announcer, local style
music. The schedule is from 0100 to 0600 but has
been reported closing as early as 0450; the power is
1kW.
Radio Eco, Iquitos, on 5010 at 0340, dance
music Latin American style, YL with songs in
Spanish. The Schedule of this one is from 1100 to
0500 (Sundays 0400) but often operates around the
clock and sometimes identifies as "Radio El Sol";
the power is 1kW.
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
Radio Colosal, Neiva, on 4945 at 0312, OM announcer, ballads in Spanish, light music. Schedule
is on a 24 -hour basis and the power is 2.5kW.
Radio Sata Fe, Bogota, on 4965 at 0316, OM
with songs in Spanish, guitar music. Schedule is
also around the clock and the power is also 2.5kW.
BRAZIL
Radio Tabajara, Joao Pessoa, on 4795 at 2040,
excited OM with an excited commentary on an exciting futebol match! Schedule is from 0800 to 0400
and the power is an exciting 2kW.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MEDIUM WAVE
POCKET
By R. A. P'enfold
Although perhaps not as numerous as they once
were, pocket radio sets still seem to be quite
prevalent. Ready-made receivers of this type are
usually electrically much the same as larger sets,
with the small physical size being accomplished by
means of special miniature components and
almost unbelievably compact layouts. It is virtually impossible for the amateur constructor to emulate
these sets, and so home-made pocket receivers tend
to use circuitry which is as simple as possible, and
this often results in a comparatively poor performance.
However, such need not be the case and with the
intregrated circuits that are now available it would
seem to be quite feasible to produce a simple high
performance medium wave receiver circuit. Bearing this in mind, the radio which forms the subject
of this article was designed.
Only two semiconductor devices, both integrated circuits, are used in the set, which has outside dimensions of approximately 114 by 76 by
36mm. excluding control knobs. The sensitivity of
the receiver' is good, and even during daylight
hours it is possible to receive quite a number of
stations on the prototype. The audio quality is also
surprisingly good, the main limitation on quality
and volume being the comparatively poor performance of the miniature speaker which has to be used. There is only one tuned circuit and so the
selectivity is not as high as would be given with a
more complex superhet design.
The receiver is completely self-contained, with
an internal ferrite rod aerial and 9 volt battery.
after consti
ding on the aerial. C1 is an earth return capacitor
and R2 is a bias resistor. The i.c. includes a transistor detector and a.g.c. circuitry. The audio output is developed across R3, with C3 acting as an r.f.
filter capacitor. The i.c. requires a supply potential
of about 1.3 volts, and this is derived from the
main 9 volt supply by means of the voltage divider
circuit consisting of R1, R4 and R5. R5 is adjusted
to provide the correct supply voltage.
If instability is to be avoided it is essential that
no significant r.f. signal is allowed to reach the
audio amplifier section. Therefore, additional r.f.
filtering is provided at the output of IC1 in the
form of R6 and C5. C4 provides d.c. blocking.
The LM380N i.c. is ideal for the present application since it requires very few discrete components.
C2
R2
ZN414
THE CIRCUIT
Lead -outs
An obvious choice for the r.f. and detector circuitry is the well-known ZN414 i.c., and it is indeed this device which is used here. The popular
LM380N i.c. provides the a.f. amplification for the
receiver. The complete circuit diagram appears in
Fig. 1.
VC,
LI
Ferrite
aerial
Cl
Fig.
1.
cC1
C3
ZN414
quires
RAl)I11 ANI) I:Lb:('TRONIC'S CONSTRUCTOR
few
dise
ed
circuits
[UM WAVE
POCKET RADIO
By R. A. Penfold
us as they once
n to be quite
after construction.
nponents and
ts. It is virtual actor to emulate
t receivers tend
is possible, and
ly poor perfor-
ices,
,
both in-
by 76 by
sensitivity of
luring daylight
to a number of
o quality is also
tion on quality
ly poor perforch has to be usuit and so the
be given with a
114
ie
Rl 680 a
,watt 5%)
R2 100kri
R3 820D
R4 2.7kn
R5 2.2k n pre-set potentioml
horizontal skeleton
R6 560 cl
VR1 5k t1 potentiometer, log, w
text)
R5
Tww
R4
wvY'
contained, with
volt battery.
R2
id
/i/''_
c.,
e.
vr:
ZN414
Lead -outs
Resistors
(All fixed values
VC!
IC2
LM380N
2
LI
Ferrite
aerial
CI
ICl
14
C3
ZN414
amplifier
This enables
ping capacitor,
input of the i.c.
mpedance win e.
1
Fig.
1.
The circuit of the medium wave pocket radio. Due to the use of two integrated circuits this
AUGUST 1977
ADIO
Simplicity is the keynote of this little radio. The
two controls are for tuning and volume/on-off
band
istruction.
'c3
COMPONENTS
Resistors
(All fixed values
Capacitors
Cl 0.01.F type C280 (Mullard)
C2 6.814F electrolytic, 10 V. Wkg.
C3 0.14F type C280 (Mullard)
C4 1F electrolytic, 10 V. Wkg.
C5 0.047uF type C280 (Mullard)
C6 474F electrolytic, 10 V. Wkg.
C7 220F electrolytic, 10 V. Wkg.
VC1 20-250pF mica trimmer (see text)
watt 5%)
R1 680
R2 100kn
R3 820n
R4 2.7kn
R5 2.2k D pre-set potentiometer, 0.1 watt,
horizontal skeleton
R6 560n
VR1 5k a potentiometer, log, with switch S1 (see
text)
IC1 ZN414
IC2 LM380N
+9V
Si
On -Off
Switch
S1 s.p.s.t., part of VR1
4-c6
C4
R6
IC2
LM38ON
14
C7
p1---CS
in
VR1
t radio. Due to the use of two integrated circuits this re discrete components
AUGUST 1977
Speaker
LS1 8n speaker, 45mm. (see text)
LS1
Miscellaneous
Plastic case type PB1
Veroboard, 0.1 in. matrix
Trimmer converter (see text)
Ferrite rod, 110 x 8mm. diameter
28 s.w.g. enamelled copper wire
PP3 battery
Battery connector
2 control knobs
14 pin i.c. holder (optional)
Speaker fabric
aluminium
Insultation tape, wire, etc.
18 s.w.g.
33
The components
COMPONENTS
Radio.
The resistors and capacitors are all miniature
types, and C280 capacitors should be used where
specified. The pre-set potentiometer, R5, is a
27mm
Insulating tape
65turns o 28
VC1
34
ferrite rod
s.w.g
VC,
FERRITE AERIAL
30
10.1
15
-12+
110 x 8mm
-.-. 5
P
5
h..-
3.2 dia
dia
Bend
All dimensions in
mm
Fig. 3. A simple bracket is required for mounting the tuning capacitor, VC1. This has the
dimensions shown here.
RADIO AND ELECTRONICS CONSTRUCTOR
COMPONENT PANEL
All the small components are assembled on a
Veroboard panel of O.1in. matrix. The componet
woodscrews
clip.
CASE LAYOUT
Battery
connector
VR1
/SI
la
a
14
0
o
O
L.S.
E
D
VC
A
I
o
o
E
F
G
H
AUGUST 1977
.:i
o(o)
8 0
o
o
II
12
'
(o)
(o)
10
13
o
o
15
16
o(o) o
.22(3 0
0.
O
o(0)
(o)
14
O)
(o)
18
19
20
21
(OLI
(oT;
(o)
(o)
oro)
O(O
oro
o
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
+ under
o
o(o)
(0)
(o)
o
o
30
31
32
o(o)
o (
) o
o)
0(
(o)
Mounting
'holes
35
The
VARIABLE
OSCILLOSCOPE
aYN
w"n
CALIBRATOR
This oscilloscope voltage calibration
generator can have its output level set for
any value from 1 to 5 volts. Output
amplitude is monitored by an external
testrneter switched to an appropriate
voltage range.
36
CIRCUIT OPERATION
The calibration.generator circuit appears in the accompanying diagram, in which the multivibrator
consists of a 555 timer i.e. in a standard configuration:
This runs at a freq 1,,tcy of approximately 350Hz.
output is not a true square wave because Cl has Its
to
SI
On -Off
C3
ICI
555
Output
il
BYI
9V
555
0A79
Top view
ZDI
VR1
R4
II+
BZY88C5V6
Testmeter
terminals
The circuit of the oscilloscope voltage calibration generator. The output is continuously variable by means of
VR1, and its amplitude is measured by a voltmeter connected to the testmeter terminals
I{r'.tii..'lurs
All fixed values
RI I()kS
(
watt 10'(
R2 100130
R:t 1500
R4 -17OkSl
VR 10k0 potentiometer, linear
I
('nurcilnrs
0.022F polyester
('2 10(AF electrolytic, 10 V. Wkg.
C;t 0.47g polyester
(;1
I(' 555
1
Z1)1 13'Z.Y88C5VG
1)1
0A79
rail.
VOLTAGE MONITOR
'l'he voltage tapped off by the slider of VR1 is
applied to the simple half -wave rectifier circuit comprising 1)1 and C2. An external testmeter switched to
a volts range is connected across C2 and will give a
reading slightly lower than the peak -to -peak
amplitude of the generator output signal. If the meter
were a relatively insensitive type having a resistance
of 1ko per volt it would present a resistance of lOkLl if
it were switched to, say, a 0-10 volt range. C2 has a
value of I(lF and the time constant of 10F and 10k0
AUGUST 1977
COMPONENTS
Switch
SI s.p.s.t. toggle
Bat ten
I
-3Y1 9
volt battery
Battery connector
('ontrul knob
Output socket (see text)
Insulated terminal, red
Insulated terminal, black
37
The
`JUBILEE'
A.M.-F.M. RECEIVER
Part 2
By Sir Douglas Hall, K.C.M.G.
71/4
3/4"
hol,
4BA clear
6BA clear
11/8
3/8dia
Speaker
magnet
PP 9
Battery
I/2"
Speaker tags
S.R.B.P.
panel
4x
21/2`
2/4'
Battery
platform
Fig. 4. Dimensions and wiring on the speaker panel. The s.r.b.p. panel fits over the speaker magnet. TR5
has its heat clip secured under one of the speaker mounting nuts.
of Fig.
SETTING UP
The receiver may now have VR2 set up, and this
should be done with a new battery and no signal input. The slider of VR2 is turned fully anticlockwise, as shown in Fig. 4. Insert a meter,
AUGUST 1977
Ferrite rod
12
-way tagstrip
6BA bolt
Fig.2a
rrJ)
Fig.2b
Pulley
Epicyclic drive
Fig.4
VR1
VC2
Fig. 5. Top view showing the disposition of parts between the speaker panel and the panel on which the
r.f. and detector components are assembled. For simplicity, these components are omitted.
tuned in.
40
1/4plywood
TOP
I/?hardboard
front
1184
hardboard
71/44
L.H. side
63/44
1/2"
27/?1
I/44plywood
then screwed t the top and bottom. Note the opening at back right for the telescopic aerial bracket
and clip. The case is covered with Fablon of the
same type as that already applied to the speaker
panel. A rectangular white card with suitable holes
may be passed over the spindles and marked up
with control functions and a tuning scale. The
flange of the tuning drive has two 8BA tapped
holes, by means of which a tuning cursor can be attached.
A piece of metal speaker gauze is dropped into
place behind the lower front aperture and the
receiver is then pushed in from the rear.
The case back consists of a piece of gin. pegboard
and, working to the dimensions in Fig. 6, measures
61 by 71in. Again, these dimensions may be
modified slightly as required in practice. The two
woodscrews shown in Fig. 3 as "to be fitted later"
IONF
IO V wkg
.--Added components
L_
71/2"
71/44
27/8?
-1
BOTTOM
27/8"
(Concluded)
41
SIMPL E
Q UA DRA PHOIC
A MPL FIER
Part 3
(Conclusion)
By R. A. Penfold
by
22n. holds both the pre -amplifier and decoder circuitry. A full size diagram showing the copper
pattern and component layout of this board
appears in Fig. 10. This is constructed in the usual
fashion. The holes in the board for the MC1312PQ
decoder i.c. have the spacing applicable to a quad in -line package. Should a constructor wish to fit an
MC1312P, the hole positioning may be modified
for dual -in -line pins. Pin numbering is the same for
both versions of the device.
/2"
Braiding
Braiding
M3 clear
C25
C32
11
R in
il
Ca
171
in
1i
914,
C30
R23
em"d;t;
+under
'
C35
out
R13
-_ +
21/2"
--
C23
IC 2
C23
C24
C37
+20V
+12V
M3 clear
M3 clear
Fig. 10. Illustrating the layout of components and the copper pattern on the pre -amplifier and SO
decoder board
SKI (L.H.)
SK
(L.H.)
Pre-amp(R.H.)
Pre -amp (L.H.)
SK2 (R.N.)
SKI (R.N.)
Fig.
43
NOTES ON USE
IN NEXT MONTH'S
IIADIOhELECT
5 Transistors
High gain audio amplifier integrated circuit
rr-11i'1,i,
,J
44
Qil
PRICE 40p
00
000
your
shop
As is their custom every
August, Dick and Smithy leave
the confines of the Workshop to
take a day out together. On this
occasion they choose to drive out
into the country, well away from
the bustle and hurry of their normal urban life.
AUGUST 1977
empty field.
"What," enquired Dick, "is all
this about?"
"It's that darned radio," replied
Smithy. "I want to see why it
stopped working."
"You've got to be' joking," expostulated Dick incredulously.
"You've only just now said that
we're supposed to be getting away
from radio. Dash it all, it's our annual day out together and now you
want to.waste it fixing radios."
"I can't help it," replied Smithy
irritably. "It's just that I can't
up
45
Chokes
On -Off
LONDON
____
Neg.supply
12
volts
from battery
rail
THE
1,000
JF
Polarity
Dial
links
lamp
OIpF
T
T"
Receiver
chassis
Car
body
Fig.
LONDON W2 1NP
Tel: 01-723 4185/2926
HAMPSHIRE
MORSE
IMPROVEMENT
C90 Cassettes 1-12 w.p.m. with simple
exercises. 12-14 w.p.m. computer produced
professional level operator material including
international symbols.
Price: complete with instruction and exercise
booklets 4 including postage. Overseas E1
extra.
JEFFRIES
For
Hi-Fi Equipment
Tape Recorders
Television
Transistor Radios
preceding
stages
the output transistor, and the output transistor is transformer coupled to the speaker. Most transistor
output stages these days don't use
transformers at all, you just have
two output emitter followers, one
above the other, with the emitters
coupling to the speaker."
"This set of mine," confessed
Smithy, "is not quite as recent as
all that, as you can tell by the fact
that the a.f. transistors are germanium types. But a.f. transformers still keep cropping up in a surprising number of fairly recent ordinary transistor radios, appearing
between the driver transistor and
the two Class B output transistors."
"There's only one output transistor here."
"I know," retorted Smithy. "It's
operating in Class A. It draws a
standing collector current under
no -signal conditions and this
current increases or decreases in
sympathy with the signal when a
1-5kn
To
6A ALBERT PARADE
VICTORIA DRIVE
EASTBOURNE, SUSSEX
From
ELECTRONIC COMPON
detector
diode
RADIO TREVISION
For the convenience of Irish
enthusiasts we supply:
Radio & Electronics
Co' nstructor.Data Books
16pF
OOl,uF
5kn
Volume
Panel Signs
Transfers
Also
postal service
tPeace
e world of electronics
that."
stead?"
diodes."
An expression of bewilderment
spread over Smithy's face, and he
looked at the pastoral scene around
him.
"What in the world am I doing,
talking about the Workshop?" he
AUGUST 1977
said bemusedly.
"You started it," pointed out
Dick. "You're the one who wants to
do radio repairs in the middle of
the countryside."
"Ah yes, of course," said Smithy.
"Well, I'll just get this car radio out
and see if I can see anything obviously wrong with it."
He got out of the car, opened the
boot and selected a small spanner.
Returning, he got back in the
driver's seat and proceeded to fumble under the dashboard. Dick
opened his door and got out of the
car to allow the Serviceman more
room.
A VISITOR
pong
MORSE MADE
EASY
BY THE RHYTHM
METHOD!
These courses, which have been sold for
over 23 years, have been proved many times
to he the fastest method of learning Morse.
You start right away by learning the sounds
of the various letters, numbers, etc., as you
will in fact use them. Not a series of dots and
clashes which later you will have to translate
into letters and words.
Using scientifically prepared 3 -speed records
you automatically learn to recognise the
2.50
Name
Address
GAREX
NR56: fully tunable 144146 MHz, also 11 xtal positions for monitoring
specific channels. Compact, sensitive, ideal for
fixed or mobile listening. Built-in L.S., 12v DC
operation. 54.00 inc. VAT. Crystals, if required: 2.41 each. All popular 2m. channels
in stock. Credit terms available. s.a.e. details
Experimenter's H.T. transformer; multitap
primary. 5 sec. windings; 35V 200mA, 75/
115V 150mA, 50V 500mA, 150V 300mA.
5.50
170/220V 300mA, Wt. 6kg.
Relays: GPO type 2400 (medium size): 200+
200 i2 coil (12-24V), 8A contacts. 4PCO+ 1M
B+3M,
Type 3000 (large): 2k j2 coil (24V)
2kfl coil 124V) 2PCO, 8A contacts.
100+10052 coil (3-12V) 4PCO.
All new. 60p each, any 5+: 40p
Neons min. wire end,
55p/10; t_4/100
Slide Switches min. DPDT 18p ea; 5, 14p
22p each; 5+ 18p
2 pole, 3 position
Resistor Kits Et 2 series, 22 n to 1M S2
57 values. 5% carbon film, AW or -1W.
t:2.40
starter pack, b each' value 128b,
1-W (570) 4.65
Mixed pack, 5 each FW
4.65
Standard pack, 10 each (570)
11.65
Giant pack, 25 each (1.4251
25p
full
spec.)
CD4001AE
l;C.'s ucr:w,
SN76660 75p NE555 55p 723(T05) 75p
709 (T05). 741 (DIL-8) Op. amps 30p each
BNC Cable mtg socket 500 20p; 5+:15p
PL259 UHF Plug & Reducer 68p; 5+: 60p
S0239 UHF Socket panel mtd. 55p; 5+: 45p
Nicad rechargeable cells HP7 size 1.05
95p: 10
88p. Brand new.
each; 4
We stock amateur V.H.F. equipment and
mobile aerials, s.a.e. details.
Distributors for J. H. Associates Ltd.
(switches and lamps)
2 -metre RECEIVER
'
Sole Address:
Mail order only
GAREX ELECTRONICS
7 NORVIC ROAD, MARSWORTH,
TRING, HERTS HP23 4LS
Cheddington (STD 0296) 668684
47
Power transistor
Wire broken
off tag
Mica washer
wrong."
Rear of chassis
Insulating bushes
hand.
"Ta, skip," said the boy. "I've
really saved you 50p, you know. If
you'd taken that set to someone who knows how to mend
radios he'd have charged you a
quid."
The boy circled round the car
and approached Dick, who
retreated rapidly. The boy unfastened the clasp of the gate and
opened it wide, pushing it into the
field.
"You and your grand -dad," he
said, "had better get moving soon."
With which remark he left the
different."
"Permeability r.f. tuning circuits
can be a little difficult to understand," admitted Smithy. "Let's
have a look at this one and see if we
can sort it out."
Dick walked round to Smithy's
side of the car and laid out the service sheet circuit on the bonnet. He
pointed to the aerial and mixer oscillator section of the receiver
circuit. (Fig. 4.)
R7
R6
1,2kn
47n
IVVvV-C
L4
Aerial
socket
C8
a" L 2
Lit
IMn
C9
C2
CI
1-;63
C3
10-80
C5
C4
1,400
pF
410pF
C6
M.W.
R2
II
C7
M.W.
AF 115
Mixer-oscillator
2.21m
pF
2,200T
pF
Cl2
(.
L.W.
4,700
ti
0-047NF
MW
1131O-OINF
33kn
-180pF
a,
R3
60-
1n
sio CIO
BM 1,000
pF
15OpF
i,
R1
First I.F.
transformer
nl
ganged
L.W.
CI
pF
T6,800
pF
R4
R5
820n
6.8 kn
Fig. 4. The signal frequency and oscillator circuits of the radio. L2 and L4 are permeability tuned. This,
and the circuits of Figs. 1 and 2, are slightly simplified versions of the circuits employed in the Pye
model 2040 car radio. The three switches are sections of the medium -long wavechange switch.
iI
i'i4-
C8
r_C9
M.W.
L
L.W.
R5
(a)
Aerial
socket
M.W.
C2 an
L.W.
C5 am
M.W.
3ps
(b)
the sound.
"You say," stated Dick, "that the
aerial to earth capacitance plays an
important part, particularly at the
high frequency end of the medium
wave band. Why is that, Smithy?"
"Because a standard car aerial
provides very little signal pick-up,"
explained Smithy. "You only have
about six feet or so of aerial rod,
and at medium and long wave frequencies the impedance between
the aerial and the car body is
STATIC VOLTAGE
tinuous retinue of sheep, all pressing their way behind each other as
they crowded through the car.
Several sheep had got themselves
trapped in the front and were
bleating helplessly as they struggled
against the unfamiliar hazards of
steering wheel, gear lever and the
now repaired radio.
And still the sheep came on.
Fuming helplessly as he was thrust
back by the volume of animals,
Smithy groaned in despair at the
devastation wrought in his car.
Dick gave up the unequal struggle
and sat at the roadside, roaring with
laughter.
Eventually, the end of the
column of sheep came into view.
Behind them was the dirty little
boy, whistling tunelessly and waving a stick at the stragglers in the
rear. Smithy watched with hapless
resignation as the last sheep forced
its way through the rear of the car.
The boy poked at the sheep trapped
in the front and these, too, at last
made their way out and into the
field. The boy followed them, closed
the gate and then leaned over it to
address the shattered Serviceman.
"Don't blame me, grand -dad. I
said you ought to move on."
"But," spluttered Smithy, "what
about my car?"
"You was lucky," said the boy.
"Last week it was cows I brought
into this field."
U
TRADE FUNCTION
MULTICORE SOLDERS STAGE A WORLD SALES
S
CONFERENCE
London Airport's Heathrow Hotel was the venue
recently of the first ever World Sales Conference
held for overseas Distributors by Multicore Solders
Limited. Over 40 delegates representing 30 countries flew in for the two day Conference which included lectures by senior Multicore executives on
all aspects of Soldering and Solder products.
Many delegates' wives accompanied their
husbands, and guided sightseeing and shopping ex -
50
R.S.G.B. at Alexandra
Palace
The RSGB International Radio Communication Exhibition and
Convention, held at Alexandra Palace, London, was officially opened at noon on Friday, May
6th by Councillor Vic
Butler, Mayor of Haringey and closed at 1700 the following Sunday. This ambitious
3 day
event was visited by some 6,000 people which fully rewarded both the RSGB and
its
too!
52
e 4t msty 4di
stfgt#ti
l"iG4 iigl'1!'kVCp
yQFiifF
who,; tartctdte+t
#rnr+rt:s ,sci,tt
I.c+rwe
AT THE CONVENTION
By Ron Ham
On Saturday evening, it was praise all the way for
the Society as about 180 members and guests listend to the after dinner speakers in the Palace
Suite, presided over by Lord Wallace of Coslany,
the Society's President.
Mr. R. W. Cannon, Technical Director, Cable
and Wireless Ltd., proposing the toast to the Society, referred to amateur radio as one of our national
assets, because, by introducing young people to
amateur radio it often spurs them on to take up a
career in a similar field. The speaker was very impressed with the large exhibition and admired the
way in which the "trade" had produced some very
Wireless for supplying the monthly HF Predictions table which appears in Radio Cornmication. Dr. Allaway stressed the need for the RSGB
to work with other national societies in persuading
new countries to accept amateur radio. Among the
dinner guests were representatives from France,
Belgium, Yugoslavia, and USA and they all joined
in the spontaneous applause when Dr. Allaway
congratulated Lord Wallace on his appointment as
first Lord in waiting to Her Majesty the Queen.
Proposing the toast to the Guests, Dr. Dain
Evans, Executive Vice -President, spoke of the
many sides to amateur radio and referred to Ed
Tilton, who had given a lecture in the afternoon, as
"a legend in amateur radio".
Replying for the Guests, Dr. J. A. Saxton, Director, Appleton Laboratory, and past President of
the Society, emphasised his well worn theme that
every amateur in the UK should give his
wholehearted support to the RSGB. It was obvious,
he said, that this event had been well supported,
and he congratulated all who were responsible for
its organisation.
BACK NUMBERS
For the benefit of new readers we would draw attention to our back number service.
We retain past issues for a period of two years and we can, occasionally, supply copies more than two
years old. The cost is 40p plus 12p postage.
Before undertaking any constructional project described in a back issue, it must be borne in mind that
components readily available at the time of publication may no longer be so.
We regret that we are unable to supply photo copies of articles where an issue is not available.
Libraries and members of local radio clubs can often be very helpful where an issue is not available for
sale.
AUGUST 1977
53
C-7
COLLECTOR SPECIFICATIONS
By F. T. Jones
How to ensure that small transistors are operated within their collector voltage, current
and dissipation ratings.
higher than the maximum rated voltage for the transistor unless circuit requirements make this absolutely unavoidable; accidents can happen and a sudden
large input signal, a faulty connection or the onset of
instability can cause the transistor to be cut off,
whereupon no voltage is dropped across the collector
load and the full supply voltage is applied across the
transistor. With all transistor ratings it is wise to anticipate the worst-case effect.
We do not normally, of course, choose a supply
voltage to suit a particular transistor. Instead, the
supply voltage is usually given and we select a transistor to suit that voltage. With most home constructor projects the supply is limited to about 9 to
18 volts or so, with the result that the choice of a transistor with an adequate collector voltage rating raises
few problems.
A different aspect arises when the collector load is
not resistive but has a relatively high value of inductance. The most common example here occurs when
the collector load is the coil of a relay. When the transistor cuts off to release the relay the lines of magnetic
force in the relay coil collapse, to generate a backe.m.f. of opposite polarity which can be much greater
than the supply voltage. In the circuit shown in Fig.
1(b) the collector voltage of the transistor would go
well positive of the positive supply rail. We overcome
this problem by connecting a diode across the relay
coil, as in Fig. 1(c), with a polarity which causes it to
be non-conductive when the transistor is turned on
and energises the relay. When the transistor cuts off
the relay coil attempts to produce its high back-e.m.f.,
but the diode then conducts and prevents the e.m.f.
rising above the diode forward conducting voltage.
VOLTAGE RATINGS
The maximum collector voltage rating for a transistor is usually specified in terms of Vceo max. and
Vcbo max. Vceo refers to collector -emitter voltage
with the base open -circuit whilst Vcbo applies to
collector -base voltage with the emitter open -circuit.
Sometimes the voltages are simply referred to in transistor data as Vce and Vcb respectively. Where there
is a difference between the two voltage ratings the
Vcbo (or Vcb) figure is usually higher than the Vceo
(or Vce) value. Neither figure should be exceeded,
and in general it is a good plan to ensure that a transistor does not approach more than say, 75% of its
maximum voltage rating. In most instances a transistor is employed in the common emitter configuration, as in Fig. 1(a), whereupon the supply voltage
should preferably be lower than 75% of the Vceo or
Vcbo figure. With most practical circuits the supply
voltage will be considerably below the maximum
collector voltage rating.
The transistor of Fig. 1(a) will in many cases be
passing a steady collector current, whereupon the actual voltage across its collector and emitter will be the
supply voltage less the voltage dropped in the collector load resistor. Such a state of affairs should not
tempt the designer into employing a supply voltage
Supply+
Supply
Collector
Supply
-I-
4-
Relay
coil
load
Output
Input
(a)
(b)
(c)
Fig. 1(a). A simple common emitter amplifier with bias components omitted.
An n.p.n. transistor is
assumed here and in the succeeding diagrams
(b). In this circuit the collector load is a relay coil
(c). A diode across the relay coil prevents the formation of a high back-e.m.f.
when the relay releases
54.
Supply+
Supply +
Supply +
Input
Output
Emitter
Bypass
load
capacitor
(a)
(b)
(c)
Fig. 2(a). With an emitter follower the resistive load is in series with the emitter
(b). Here there are resistors in both the co/lector and emitter circuits
(c). Frequently, a high value bypass capacitor is connected across one of the resistors
COLLECTOR CURRENT
The maximum collector current rating for a transistor is normally expressed as Ic max. There is
1/2 supply
voltage
1/2 suppl
voltage
POWER DISSIPATION
Maximum power dissipation is referred to as Pt
max. or Ptot max. and requires a different type of
calculation. The dissipation is equal to the voltage
across the transistor multiplied by its collector
current. If a transistor is connected in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 it can be demonstrated that maximum power is dissipated in the transistor when half
the supply voltage appears across it. Obviously, half
the supply voltage will then also appear across the
collector load resistance. Since the same current
passes through the transistor and the resistor, the
same power is dissipated by both.
It is an easy process to find the maximum possible
transistor dissipation which the circuit can cause. If
we once more assume that the supply voltage is 10
volts and the collector load resistance is 100 12 , maximum dissipation in the transistor occurs when the
load resistance has 5 volts across it. The dissipation
given by 5 volts across 100 S2 is 0.25 watt (5 squared
divided by 100) or 250mW. For our circuit we would
be wise to choose a transistor with a Ptot max. rating
of say 350mW or, preferably, higher. With power output transistors we could allow the maximum dissipation figure to be approached but not exceeded.
In the emitter follower circuit of Fig. 2(b) we find
the maximum dissipation figure by working out the
dissipation when half the supply voltage appears
across the emitter load resistor. When there are
resistors in both the emitter and collector circuits we
add their values and find the dissipation which occurs
when half the supply voltage is applied across a single
resistor having their total value.
These approaches are also applicable to power
transistors which are intended for mounting on a heat
sink. The only difference is that the power dissipation
figures for the latter type of transistor assume that the
transistor is mounted on a heat sink of adequately
large dimensions and low thermal resistance to air.
55
Radio Topics
By Recorder
***********
RESISTORS AND
CAPACITORS
These make up the grist for the electronic mill and, as the years go by
they become smaller and smaller and
more and more delightfully simple to
handle. My stock of resistors goes
back to the early 1960's and what we
used to treat as } watt types in those
days are almost ten times the volume
of the tiny little }-wafters we deal with
nowadays. Especially pleasing are the
lead -out wires, which tin and solder
immediately the iron is placed on
them. In the old days resistor lead outs used to tarnish quite noticeably if
they were held in stock for any length
of time, and sometimes it was even
necessary to scrape and tin them
before they could be soldered into a
circuit.
SMALL SIZE
The small size of modern resistors
has some disadvantages because, of
necessity, the width of the colour
coding bands reduces in proportion.
The human eye has a reduced perception of colour as the size of the object
diminishes, which explains why coour
television has been able to flourish in
its present form. Particularly difficult
to distinguish in small areas are
orange and red or orange and some of
the shades of brown 'which resistor
manufacturers employ. I recently had
a mixed batch of 47k SI (yellow, violet,
orange) and 4.7k 12 (yellow, violet, red)
resistors to sort out, all of these being
identical in size and general body
colour and differing only in the orange
and red third bands. After a little
practice I was able to sort them out
visually, but I had to rely on the meter
when I started, just to make certain
that I wasn't making any errors.
Rather a similar happening occurred
with a mixture of 22k S2 (red, red,
orange) ,and 22052 (red, red, brown)
resistors with which the brown of the
220
resistors had a strong orange
tinge, although these weren't so bad as
the 47k O and 4.7k S2 resistors.
When dealing with resistors sold on
the home constructor market it is a
good plan to assume that the wattage
rating is the absolute maximum that
the resistor can stand without burning
out. It's always best to play safe in
matters of this nature, and I never
knowingly allow a resistor to dissipate
56
more than half its rated wattage. Fortunately most modern transistor circuits involve extremely low resistor
dissipations and these are an almost
minute fraction of } watt.
WATTAGE RATING
As an example of what a resistor
may be called upon to dissipate:
assume that we have a 470 Si transistor
emitter bias resistor and that a current
of 3mA passes through it. The voltage
across the resistor will be just a little
short of 1.5 volts, whereupon the
power dissipated by the resistor is
3mA times 1.5 volts, or 4.5 milliwatts.
Since } watt is equal to 250 milliwatts
the resistor, in a typical transistor
application, is obviously running more
than comfortably within its dissipation figure.
The ease with which resistor leads
can be soldered pays off an unexpected bonus when you are making up
a quick experimental circuit in "lashup" form. If relatively long lead
lengths can be tolerated, it is a good
idea to solder the first few resistors to
their tags or circuit points with their
leads uncut. Quite a few other components and wires can then be readily
soldered to the. resistor leads
themselves. The result admittedly
looks extremely untidy and the
technique should never be employed
for any permanent assembly. But it
pays off with quick experimental circuits and allows rapid changes of components and wiring.
of Metre
Meter fluid flowmeters
manufactured by Litre
One of a range
FLUID FLOW
The accompanying photograph
hous-
TRANSFORMERS
There are some very small mains
transformers creeping onto the scene,.
including in particular those offering
low voltage outputs at currents of
100mA dr even 50mA for transistor
equipment. Some of these little
transformers tend to be of the "no name" variety, and I must confess
that I look upon them with a little distrust.
If you are using one of these
transformers near its maximum
secondary current rating you may find
that it runs quite warm, particularly if
it is mounted on an insulating
material such as s.r.b. . Should a
AUGUST 1977
57
New Products
DALESFORD LOUDSPEAKER
DRIVE UNITS
A range of loudspeaker drive units of interest to professional and amateur constructors alike has recently been announced by
Dalesford Speakers Ltd. All the models are
\"
cGOLDRING G1O3
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SERVICE SHEETS for Radio, Television, Tape Recorders, Stereo, etc. With free fault-finding guide. From 50p
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ELECTRONIC DEVICES and Semiconductors. Component kits for this month's projects. S.A.E. for lists.
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01
ONLY
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ELECTRON C
I
REPAIRS SIMPLIFIED. Full repair instructions individual British sets 4.50; request free circuit diagram.
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TV
76
- -
OUTSTANDING HI-FI FM TUNER. Comprises 7 transistor superhet design with vericap tuning, AFG. Latest
silicon circuitry, full coverage 88-102MHz. Supplied built
and tested with metal front panel and instruction sheet.
Only 9.95 + 30p P. & P. Gregg Electronics, 86-88
Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey.
(Continued on page 61)
ON SALE NOW
at all leading shops
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theory alla
practice
of
[O1ITROL
b..,,00, .1
,oeo,l
o, .
ull
UGUST 1977
59
TV
UNDERSTANDING
TELEVISION
FAULT FINDING
by
MANUAL for
405/625 LINES
J. R. DAVIES
Over 500 pages
300 diagrams
3.25
P.
& P. 60p
90p
P. & P.
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Synchronising
Power supply circuits
Colour television
COLOUR TELEVISION.
-80 page
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EDITED BY J. R. DAVIES
132 pages
Over 100 illustrations, including 60 photographs
of, a television screen after the appropriate faults
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Comprehensive Fault Finding Guide crossreferenced to methods of fault rectification described at greater length in the text.
London, W9 1SN
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AUGUST 1977
PLAIN -BACKED
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(Continued from page 61)
FOR SALE: A loft full of surplus components. Speakers,
uniselectors, wire etc. Must be cleared. Also Fidelity tape
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FOR SALE: Clearing out back issues of Radio Constructor to 1950's. Projection TV lens and tube, etc. Offers?
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