Science report on the creation of a small transistor radio

Report 1: The Radio

Aims and Objectives:

To aid in my understanding of radio technology I intend to construct a fully functional radio from the electrical components given to me, using tools provided by the university.

Background Research:

The development of wireless transmission started around the turn of the 20th Century. One of the most pioneering scientists in this field was Guglielmo Marconi. Who achieved the first transatlantic radiotelegraph in 1902. The invention of the vacuum tube diode and the triode tube amplifier helped launch radio broadcasting.

During the early years of radio most home listeners were using crystal sets to tune in, also know as 'cats whisker'. These were later replaced with the Transistor radio. The development of the transistor meant that radios could become much smaller and more portable. The first transistor radio was made by Texas Instruments in 1953

List of components:

Printed circuit board

1 X IC MK484

1 X transistor BC548B

1 X 150pF variable tuning capacitor

1 X Ferrite rod

2.5m of 0.315mm enameled copper wire

2 X 100k resistors (brown, black, yellow)

2 X 1k resistors (brown, black, red)

1 X 270R resistor (red, violet, brown)

1 X ultra-miniature slide switch

2 X 100nF capacitors (= 0.1uF)

1 X 10nF capacitor (=0.01uF)

1 X 47uF capacitor

1 X headphone socket

1 X AA battery holder

1 X AA battery

Flex covered wire

Thin card

Tools:

Soldering iron

Solder wire

Clippers

Insulating tape

Method

Step one: Making the coil aerial

Firstly I took the thin card and wrapped it around the ferrite rod. Then wrapped the enameled copper wire around the ferrite rod approximately 55 times. Leaving about 10cm free at either end so that it could be attached to the circuit board easily. Because of the card the wire was able to slide...