Stumbled across this well done video by some kid showing how to build a tiny FM transmitter that from his presented field test appears to rival the capabilities of my CCrane.
I remember using one just like this back in the late 60's at a radio station. I used it for on-the-field interviews at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. The signal would go to the broadcast booth, where they would pick up the interviews on an FM receiver and put them on the air.
I think it is good that youngsters are still interested in building things such as this.
When I was in high school I built a simple FM transmitter and did some experimenting with it. The range was not very good but it did cover our house without an antenna. The original transistor was a 2N499 which cost me $5 back then. I managed to fry it but found that almost any type of a much cheaper transistor would work so I was able to keep it running.
The messy coil is the result of many experiments trying different things to make it work better. I still have it but haven't fired it up in years. There is no need since I use a Ramsey FM transmitter for housecasting now but it was a great introduction to VHF technology.
Neil
I like the "Old School" cap. 🙂
"I like the "Old School" cap. :-)"
That was salvaged from something in my junk box.
I'd change 2 things about this transmitter if I had to use a poor man's FM Transmitter like that one. First it would have a female 1/8th inch jack. Instead of that analog capacitor tuner I'd have it Digital or Crystal controlled. I bet a 3 Ft piece of wire would get you 150 plus feet with that transmitter.
I bet a 3 Ft piece of wire would get you 150 plus feet with that transmitter.
It looked to me like he was getting farther than that with just the 4 inch wire he had on it.