1677	2008-05-25 08:19:53	brian_vandewetter...	Regen Receiver 1.6
Message	Date	From	Subject
Hello list. I'm completely new to Ham Radio and homebrewing. The regen receiver looked like a good first real project, especially since my Kenwood appliance has been in the shop for some time now (2 months and counting). I've constructed the radio according to the schematic, but I must have a bad joint or component somewhere, since it really isn't working like I think it should. The largest peak to peak I see on the "tank" is .8v +/-, but at that setting all I get in the headphones is a loud buzz. A couple of local AM stations come in as well as the time signal from Colorado, but no CW or SSB has been received. Using a DVM, I measured the DC volts at the various transistors. Vb Ve Vc Q1 2.01 1.29 5.86 Q3 3.66 2.98 8.98 Q4 11.54 10.92 12.15 Vg Vd Vs Q2 .001 10.58 2.25 This FET (J310) tests out at Idss = 26ma and Vp = -2.87, which seems in the right ballpark. While I started out with quite a few junk box substitutes, I've gradually come back to following the schematic verbatim in order get it to perform. The only thing left is to pony $12 up for a 2n5454 from Digikey. I'd like to break this thing down into modules to find where the problem is, but as far as I can tell, each piece is doing it's part. Ideas? Am I expecting too much from a Regen Reciever in a metro area? Thanks, -Brian KE7RME
1681	2008-05-25 12:24:45	Bob Macklin	Re: Regen Receiver 1.6
Do you have a signal generator to try it with? You may not hear anything until there is a 160M contest. The fact that you can hear the BC stations and WWV (2,5MHz?) seems to indicate it is working. When I first got into ham radio in 1957 I did a lot of listening at the wrong time. Even on the HF bands today I don't hear much unless there is a contest going on. 160M is a night time band. Bob Macklin Seattle, Wa. brian_vandewettering <balou14@comcast.net> wrote: Hello list. I'm completely new to Ham Radio and homebrewing. The regen receiver looked like a good first real project, especially since my Kenwood appliance has been in the shop for some time now (2 months and counting). I've constructed the radio according to the schematic, but I must have a bad joint or component somewhere, since it really isn't working like I think it should. The largest peak to peak I see on the "tank" is .8v +/-, but at that setting all I get in the headphones is a loud buzz. A couple of local AM stations come in as well as the time signal from Colorado, but no CW or SSB has been received. Using a DVM, I measured the DC volts at the various transistors. Vb Ve Vc Q1 2.01 1.29 5.86 Q3 3.66 2.98 8.98 Q4 11.54 10.92 12.15 Vg Vd Vs Q2 .001 10.58 2.25 This FET (J310) tests out at Idss = 26ma and Vp = -2.87, which seems in the right ballpark. While I started out with quite a few junk box substitutes, I've gradually come back to following the schematic verbatim in order get it to perform. The only thing left is to pony $12 up for a 2n5454 from Digikey. I'd like to break this thing down into modules to find where the problem is, but as far as I can tell, each piece is doing it's part. Ideas? Am I expecting too much from a Regen Reciever in a metro area? Thanks, -Brian KE7RME ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
1682	2008-05-26 11:51:17	brian_vandewetter...	Re: Regen Receiver 1.6
Hi Bob, I don't have a signal generator, but I did build the VE3DNL marker generator from Norcal. When I coil the 'antenna' from the marker generator around a short test lead attached to the radio, I hear squeals as I tune up and down. There is a dead spot for 60% of the range right in the middle where I hear no signals. This corresponds with the radio's performance when using a real antenna. The funny thing is, when I attach my outdoor antenna, the radio can no longer hear the marker generator. Odd. One of the parts I'm unclear on is the non polarized 2.2uF cap that is called for between the collector of Q1 (RF amplifier) and the variable cap C2. I don't have one that big, so I used a tantalum with the positive leg toward Q1. As an experiment I've also tried a non-polarized .22 cap in that position with no change in performance. Today's project is to build the crystal oscillator
1685	2008-05-26 20:46:03	Wes Hayward	Re: Regen Receiver 1.6
Hi Brian, That's a 2.2 pF capacitor, not 2.2 uF. So you can fake it with twisted wires. And DO NOT go buy a special JFET. Anything will do just fine. In fact, come out here and I'll dig one up for you. You can see the original. I think I can even find it! You can't be more than a few miles from me. Give me a buzz on the phone; I'm in the book. 73, Wes w7zoi
1686	2008-05-27 08:20:37	brian_vandewetter...	Re: Regen Receiver 1.6
Hi Wes, Changing out the capacitor fixed the Radio. I'm so pleased! Thank you for correcting my mistake. It's getting late, so I'll try to call tomorrow. 73, Brian KE7RME