MINIATURE FM TRANSMITTER

KIT

Description:
A subminiature FM transmitter capable of picking up
sounds at the level of a whisper and transmitting them to any standard
FM receiver up to a mile away. A high gain two stage audio amplifier
section provides greater sensitivity than other similar units on the market
today! A small tuning capacitor is included to allow easy adjustment to a
clear frequency channel in the FM band.
Features:
Adjustable from 88 to 108 MHz.
Super sensitive microphone, hear every sound in an entire house.
Powerful 2 stage audio amplifier.
Use with any FM receiver.
Powered by 9 Volt battery (not included).



This transmitter is capable of picking up sounds in a roomat the level of a
whisper. It can transmit up to one mile to a good FM receiver when used with a good
antenna. It was designed for low current operation and can be left to operate
unattended up to 24 hours when used with a good 9 volt alkaline battery. It uses a
super-sensitive microphone, and a two stage audio amplifier. It easily picks up
normal voices fromother rooms in the house through open doors. It can
transmit at any frequency in the 88 to 108 MHz commercial FM band.
This FM transmitter is easy to build, easy to use and is recommended
for almost anyone that can handle a soldering iron. It can be completely
assembled and ready to use in a single evening.
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
This is a high performance, low current drain unit with ultra high
sensitivity. It consists of a capacitance microphone with a built in FET (Field Effect
Transistor) amplifier followed by a two stage audio amplifier and a transmitter stage.
Use the schematic diagramto help follow the detailed description of operation. The
audio signal fromthe microphone is coupled by C1 to the base of Q1, the first audio
amplifier stage. Q1 is biased by R2, R3, R4, and R5 to draw .5 mA. The amplified
signal is then direct coupled fromthe collector of Q1 to the base of Q2, the second
amplifier stage. Q2 is biased by R6 and R7 to draw 3mA. The fully amplified signal is
coupled by the low pass filter formed by RB, R9, and C4 to the base of the transmitter
transistor, Q3. The filter keeps the transmit signal out of the audio sections where it can
cause audio oscillations. Q3 is biased by Rl0, R11, and R12 to draw 15mA. L 1, L7,
CS, C6, C7, and C8 along with Q3 make up the transmit oscillator with the antenna
connected to the junction of L 1 and L2. CS is
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adjusted to set the transmitter to any frequency in the 88 and 108 MHz band.
Though it is designed to be tuned over the entire FM band, you may
have to squeeze the turns of L2 together to tune to the low end of the band or spread
L2 to tune the high end of the band.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the instructions carefully. Read each step thoroughly before you proceed
with the operation. Each part used in the assembly has an associated component
number (R12, C3, etc.) called a designator. These numbers appear in several places
in the manual and should be used whenever possible. This will make the task of
following instructions as easy as possible.
PARTS LIST
Check the contents of your kit against the following parts list. Check off each part as
you proceed. If your are missing any parts, please accept our apology and contact us
and we will send you a replacement right away
Design. Description Quan.
R1,R10 10 K Ohm1/4W Resistor (Brn-Blk-Orn) 2
R2 100 K Ohm1/4W Resistor (Brn-Blk-Yell 1
R3,R8 15 k Ohm1/4W Resistor (Brn-Grn-Orn) 2
R4,R9,R11 4.7 K Ohm1/4W Resistor (Yel-Vio-Red) 3
RS 330 Ohm1/4W Resistor (Orn-Orn-Brn) 1
R6 680 Ohm1/4W Resistor (Blu-Gry-Brn) 1
R7 1 K Ohm1/4W Resistor (Brn-Blk-Red) 1
R12 150 Ohm1/4W Resistor (Brn-Grn-Brn) 1
C1,C3,C4,C8 .01 uF 50V Cer DiscCap (Marked .01 or 103) 4
C6,C7 27 pF 50V Cer Disc Cap (Marked 27) 2
C5 5-50pF Miniature TrimCap (Green Marking) 1
C2 10 uF 16V Electrolytic Cap 1
Q1,Q2,Q3 PN2222, Silicone NPN Transistor 3
L 1 2.2 uH Inductor 1
L2 Air Wound Coil (See Text) 1
Circuit Board 1
Battery Snap 1
Microphone 1
Antenna Wire 1
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Soldering - Soldering is one of the most important operations you will perform
while assembling this project. A good solder joint forms an electrical connection
between the parts, such as the component lead and the circuit track. A poor
solder connection can cause the unit to work poorly or not at all. It is easy to
make a good solder joint if you follow a few simple rules:
- Use the right type of soldering iron. A 22 to 25 watt pencil type with a fine tip will
work best.
- Keep the soldering iron tip clean. Wipe it often on a wet sponge or cloth. Apply
solder to the tip to give it a wet look. This is called tinning the soldering iron tip. If
the solder tends to "ball up" or not stick to the tip, it needs to be cleaned and
tinned again. Turn the iron off, let it cool and then file or sand-paper the tip to
clean it before attempting to tin it again.
- Always use rosin core, radio-type solder (60:40 tin lead content) for all the
soldering on this unit. The use of any other type of solder (acid core, paste
solder, etc.) will void your warranty and we will not service your unit
Parts Placement - Position all parts as shown in the assembly diagram of Figure 2.
Install all parts and wires on the side of the circuit board opposite the circuit tracks.
Keep all leads as short as possible.
Resistors - Form the resistor leads as shown so they fit the circuit board.
Install each resistor on the side of the circuit board opposite the circuit track as
shown. Press it against the circuit board and bend the leads outward slightly
to hold it in place.
Solder the resistor in place as follows: Hold the soldering iron tip against
the lead and the circuit track. Apply solder to the lead
on the side opposite the soldering
iron tip. As the solder begins to melt, RESISTOR
allow it to flow around the connection.
Remove the solder and the iron from the connection
and cut off the excess leads. Check the connection. It
should appear smooth and shinny.
Using this method, install all of the resistors as shown in the assembly
diagram. Check them off when you finish:
()Rl ()R2 ()R3 ()R4 ()RS ()R6 ()R7 ()R8 ()R9
( )Rl0 ()Rll ()R12
4
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM
SAFETY WARNING! Avoid Eye injury
when cutting component leads. Hold
the board so that the clippings do not
fly toward your eyes.
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NOTES:
11 ALL RESI STORS I N OHMS UNLESS OTHERWI SE STATED. 21 ALL
CAPACI TORS I N uF UNLESS OTHERWI SE STATED. 3) SEE TEXT FOR
DETAI LS ON L2.
SCHEMATI C DIAGRAM

Capacitors - Install the ceramic disc capacitors,
as shown in the assembly diagram, on the
opposite side of the circuit board (opposite the
circuit track).

Microphone. lnstall the microphone on the component side of the circuit board.
Insert the two leads as shown in Assembly Diagram. Solder and clip off excess
leads. Check off M 1 when you finish:
( )M1
Solder each capacitor in place and clip off the excess leads. Check them off
when you finish:
()C1 ()C3 ()C4 ()C6 ()C7 ()C8
( )C2
Install the variable capacitor, C5, on the component side of the circuit board
and solder as shown in the assembly diagram. Clip off the excess leads and
check off C5 when you finish:
( )C5
Install C2, the electrolytic capacitor, on
the component side as shown in the
assembly diagram. CAUTION! Install C2
with the correct polarity as
shown in the assembly diagram. Solder and clip off
excess leads. Check off C2 when you finish:
Battery Snap. Insert the red and black leads of the battery snap on the
component side of the circuit board as shown in the illustration
below. CAUTION! Install the red and black leads in the right
location. Solder and clip off the excess leads.
Check off when you finish:
( )Battery Snap
Antenna lead - lnsert the
antenna lead on the
component side of the
circuit board as shown in SATTERV SNAP
the illustration above.
CAUTION! Don't make the antenna any longer than is required to meet the range
requirements you need. The longest range achieved is with an antenna that is one
quarter the wave length (approximately 30 inches). If your antenna is made too long,
you may exceed the maximum output power for the transmitter. This can cause the
transmitter to stop oscillating. Solder the antenna wire and clip off the excess lead.
Check off when you finish:
( )Q1 ( )Q2 Q3( )
Transistors - Install the transistors as shown in
the Assembly Diagram. Solder and clip off the
excess leads and check them off when you
finish:

( )Antenna
CIRCUIT CHECKOUT
Double check all circuitry for proper assembly and short circuits. Check and make
sure each transistor is correctly installed in the proper location with the proper
orientation. Check each resistor and make sure the resistor values are properly
located.
Inductors - Install L 1 as shown in the Assembly Diagram, similar to the way the
resistors were installed. Check off L 1 when you finish:
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( )L1
Form L2 by wrapping six (6) turns of No. 22 enameled solid wire on a 5/32 drill bit.
Strip and tin (pre-solder) the ends of the coil. Install the coil on the component side of
the circuit board, as shown in the Assembly Diagram. Solder and clip off the excess
leads. Check off L2 when you finish:
( )L2
Connect a 9 volt transistor battery clip. Set a nearby FM receiver to
approximately 108 MHz and adjust C5 until you hear the squeal of audio
feedback or until the background noise is blanked out. Note that several tuning
points of C5 may affect your receiver hut only the strongest point is correct. The
others will be weak and unstable. It may help to increase the distance between
the transmitter and receiver to 10 to 15 feet. Use a non-metallic tuning tool and
tune C5 slowly and carefully since it is a very sensitive adjustment and will
require patience to set it right on the desired frequency. For maximum range,
use a 30 inch antenna wire (No. 24 to 26 insulated stranded wire). However, it is
recommended that you keep the antenna as short as possible while still meeting
your needs to avoid exceeding the federally allowed power level for
experimenters.
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CAUTION! DO NOT TUNE THE UNIT ABOVE 108 MHz IF YOU LIVE NEAR
AN AIRPORT OR AN AIR TRAFFIC LANE.
IMPORTANT
There are two legal considerations you should know. The FCC frowns on any FM
transmitter with a range of much more than a few hundred feet. It is also illegal to
use any device to listen to or bug any conversation without the consent of all
parties involved.
IN CASE OF TROUBLE
(1) Check each solder connection. Make sure the solder is smooth and that no
solder bridges, splashes, or shorts exist.
(2) Check the transistors for proper installation.
(3) Check each resistor and capacitor value carefully. Make sure the
correct value has been installed.
(4) Be sure all wires and leads installed on the circuit board have been
trimmed as close to the board as possible.
(5) Make sure all diodes have been installed with the correct polarity.
Problems - If you can't get your unit to work at all, check and make sure that all
parts are properly located and check all solder connections. Most problems are
caused by poor soldering resulting in poor connections or short circuits.

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