The Radio IC Kit 1 is a simple AM broadcast band receiver kit designed for the TA7642 radio IC. This kit is not a beginners kit. AM Radio IC Kit 1 does require soldering and the ability to read a schematic. The kit is designed to allow a modular radio build. The RF tuning section is left off board to accommodate a variety of coil and capacitor combinations. The audio output can be connected directly to a high impedance earphone or headphone. We have tested this kit with magnetic and piezoelectric headsets 2,000 Ohms and higher with good results. The audio output could also be fed directly to an audio amplifier.
The circuit board is approximately 2" by 1 5/8". The mounting holes are sized for #4 screws.
The Radio IC Kit 1 is a TRF ( Tuned Radio Frequency, Tuned RF ) type receiver. This is the most basic type of radio receiver with no regeneration or re-genitive feedback. The variable capacitor and antenna coil form a “Tank” circuit that tunes the radio stations frequency then the TA7642 amplifies the radio stations radio frequency then “Rectifies” (Converts to Audio) it then amplifies the audio and powers the Earphone.
AM Radio IC Kit 1 includes radio IC TA7642 but the same board and circuit will work with any of the ZN414
family of radio IC's.
Click here to browse our selection of radio
IC's.
The TA7642 radio integrated circuit is based off the ZN414 from the 1970s. There have been several manufactures of replacement integrated circuits for the ZN414. The default radio IC included with the kit is the TA7642. We currently supply several alternate radio integrated circuits; CD7642, MK484, TA7642, UTC7642, and YS414. Any of these can be substituted in the circuit for the TA7642. From our testing and customer feedback, the KM484 (not MK484) has the highest overall gain. However, it tends to fall into oscillation easily. The CD7642, TA7642, UTC7642, and YS414 have a gain just below the MK484.
Radio IC Kit 1 includes a ceramic earphone with wire ends. The Radio IC Kit 1 also has been tested with the following earphones and headphone available separately:
Parts List
1 - Circuit Board
1 - 180uh Ferrite Loopstick Antenna
1 - Plastic variable capacitor dual section 266pf
1 - TA7642 Radio IC
2 - 100K Resistors (brown black yellow gold)
1 - 470 Ohm Resistor (yellow violet brown gold)
1 - 0.01uf Capacitor (marked 103)
1 - 0.1uf Capacitor (marked 104)
1 - 10uf Capacitor
1 - Ceramic Earphone
1 - Variable Resistor with switch
1 - 20.3mm Variable Capacitor Knob
1 - 12mm Variable Capacitor Shaft and Screw
1 - Variable Resistor knob
1 - Terminal Block
1 - AA Battery Holder