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Mike Toon
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Post subject: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Dec Sat 09, 2017 3:21 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 6021 Location: Beautiful Downtown Burbank CA
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Powered by a 12VDC wallwort, this LM386 module only needs the last capacitor changed to an inductor (red) to feed the oscillator then to the "loopstick, paralleled by a small cap. Not much "building" required. I had several slug tuned coils. A small var cap and coil would work even better?  With the new little no frills MP3 player.  Was holding off for a "finished box"... but I keep seeing questions about where to buy transmitters. There is no excuse for not trying to build something. I find the hardest part is waiting for parts from China and keeping the interest for 2+ weeks. Another slug Tooned 6888 transmitter... 
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35Z5
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Dec Sat 09, 2017 5:20 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 11716
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That looks easy enough...
I like your orange tuning knob, fixed a lamp(removed touch module) yesterday for wife, used a pair...
I'd post schematic for my 9KC6 xmitt, but compared to a 6888 it's a bit complex... Once I got the bugs worked out it's my favorite but no one is gonna build it, I likely have the only one in existence...
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fifties
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Dec Sat 09, 2017 7:45 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 37002 Location: SoCal, 91387
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Hey Mike, nice touch using a wire nut for a tuning knob, lol!
So can you make a schematic of this little beauty, or at least define the change to the Chinese amp module, that is what kind of inductor (also it looks like C6 was replaced with a resistor), and the added coil and crystal circuit?
_________________ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\He Who Dies With The Most Radios Wins/////////////////////////
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Macrohenry
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Dec Sat 09, 2017 10:38 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 4306
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Tube Radio
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Dec Mon 11, 2017 3:08 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 21008 Location: Warner Robins, GA
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Very nice.
A quite simple way to build the transmitter.
Quite possibly cheaper than buying the parts to build the LM-386 circuit.
Would be nice to see a kit sold with the parts.
Perhaps could be made in such a way to where the amp module and TCXO just plug in if it would be legal to be sold like that.
I've often thought of using the LM-386 transmitter with a raspberry pi so I could have an all in one music source, processor and transmitter.
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Mike Toon
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Dec Fri 22, 2017 4:58 am |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 6021 Location: Beautiful Downtown Burbank CA
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Update with enclosure. The mini MP3 player is 5-12V and accepts the Chinese remotes, (but not included) It has volume, FF and 5 equalizer settings, but only accessible by remote. $2.58 shipped. https://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-7-12V-Mini- ... 2749.l2649This transmitter works very well and with a 15' wire ceiling antenna and a ground covers a couple houses directionally. I must mention my ground is several 5' copper pipes in the ground AND my two 30' CB antenna masts are also grounded to the pipes. No doubt helping. Using a 12V wallwort the ground isn't needed, but helps.  Been playing for a couple hours on 9V.
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Colin Ames
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 4:56 am |
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Joined: Aug Wed 26, 2009 1:50 am Posts: 1529 Location: Mesquite NV 89027 (from Coventry, UK)
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Very nice Mike. Any chance of a schematic, and details of the mod?
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Colin Ames
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 4:59 am |
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Joined: Aug Wed 26, 2009 1:50 am Posts: 1529 Location: Mesquite NV 89027 (from Coventry, UK)
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[quote="35Z5"
I'd post schematic for my 9KC6 xmitt, but compared to a 6888 it's a bit complex... Once I got the bugs worked out it's my favorite but no one is gonna build it, I likely have the only one in existence...[/quote] You never know, someone might just be brave enough to build its twin!
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Sol
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 3:37 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1381 Location: Bend OR 97703
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Nice project! Would love to build the 386 xmitter myself.
Schematic?
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35Z5
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 3:58 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 11716
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Colin Ames wrote: 35Z5 wrote: I'd post schematic for my 9KC6 xmitt, but compared to a 6888 it's a bit complex... Once I got the bugs worked out it's my favorite but no one is gonna build it, I likely have the only one in existence...
You never know, someone might just be brave enough to build its twin! OK, once I get the schematic cleaned up from probably a half dozen revisions, I'll start a new thread...
_________________ Tom
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black85vette
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 4:59 pm |
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Joined: Aug Sun 02, 2015 7:34 pm Posts: 936 Location: Yukon, OK USA
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Do you have a source for the inductor? Been looking for one with the screw adjustment. Mine need a hex tuning tool inserted and are not very easy to fine tune.
_________________ Rick AB5ON
Forest Gumping through life
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Mike Toon
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 8:44 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 6021 Location: Beautiful Downtown Burbank CA
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I had bought several loopsticks (no numbers) on ebay years ago. I just experimented with the loopstick and caps on a crystal set to get around 1,000kc.  
Last edited by Mike Toon on Jan Tue 02, 2018 8:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Colin Ames
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 8:52 pm |
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Joined: Aug Wed 26, 2009 1:50 am Posts: 1529 Location: Mesquite NV 89027 (from Coventry, UK)
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black85vette
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 9:41 pm |
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Joined: Aug Sun 02, 2015 7:34 pm Posts: 936 Location: Yukon, OK USA
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Yes, thanks Mike. Good information. 
_________________ Rick AB5ON
Forest Gumping through life
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Sol
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 10:48 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1381 Location: Bend OR 97703
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Mike Toon
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Tue 02, 2018 11:04 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 6021 Location: Beautiful Downtown Burbank CA
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fifties wrote: ... or at least define the change to the Chinese amp module, that is what kind of inductor (also it looks like C6 was replaced with a resistor), and the added coil and crystal circuit? The resistor looking thing (C6) is the inductor. All Electronics has them, 3/buck. https://www.allelectronics.com/item/cc- ... oil/1.html
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black85vette
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Sat 06, 2018 1:00 am |
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Joined: Aug Sun 02, 2015 7:34 pm Posts: 936 Location: Yukon, OK USA
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Well I am a believer now. Got my oscillators from DigiKey today. Took about 20 minutes to hook up the parts on the breadboard. I am not using the LED so I set the power supply at exactly 9 volts. I went with an adjustable inductor and eliminated the variable capacitor. I tuned with an RF probe loosely coupled to the variable inductor. Antenna tunes perfectly. Audio is great and signal is really strong over my entire house. Not using the Mp3 module since I stream Pandora through an old iPhone. Really hard to believe it can be this simple!
Now I need to find something cool to house it in.
_________________ Rick AB5ON
Forest Gumping through life
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35Z5
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Sat 06, 2018 5:21 pm |
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Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 11716
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black85vette wrote: Well I am a believer now.
Audio is great and signal is really strong over my entire house.
Really hard to believe it can be this simple!
Ain't it a bitch?? I mostly run my tube unit(s), still I'm impressed every time I turn on my "386"...
_________________ Tom
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black85vette
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Sat 06, 2018 10:36 pm |
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Joined: Aug Sun 02, 2015 7:34 pm Posts: 936 Location: Yukon, OK USA
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Yeah I like my 2 tube transmitter. Just something about an orange glow and warmth of the tubes. BTW; I had one of these in my collection of "stuff": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ0SC2C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Input: DC 3 V to 40 V (input voltage must be 1.5 V higher than the output voltage, no boost) Output: DC 1.5 V to 35 V voltage is continuously adjustable, maximum output current is 3 A I find them useful when I need a variable voltage supply that I can incorporate into a project. Small and cheap. Not as cheap as an LM317 but very convenient. Powering it with a 12 volt Astron linear supply. Overkill but hum and noise free. Now this transmitter can go portable with a 12v battery.
_________________ Rick AB5ON
Forest Gumping through life
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wazz
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Post subject: Re: Minimal build `386 transmitter Posted: Jan Sun 07, 2018 12:35 am |
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Joined: Jun Wed 08, 2011 2:33 am Posts: 11317 Location: Ohio 45177
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I was looking at something like that, I saw someone else had a schematic for a modulated xtal osc, too, on a google search. But someone else told me that the can oscs maybe do not accept modulation of the DC input very well or at all? Maybe some others have a regulator or something in them that blocks the audio? My pipedream was to make use of an old mono FM tuner and BC AM out to vintage radios with it. Instead of having two boxes setting around, a tuner and a seperate AM trans. Install the small AM board in the tuner and take power from tuner. Not much demand for mono FM tuners or at least cheap ones. I got one for 5 bucks.
_________________ Reddy Kilowatt says; You smell smoke? Sorry about that!
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