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Aircraft / Airplane Radio Receiver
 
Aircraft / Airplane Radio Receiver


 

Aircraft / Airplane Radio Receiver

 


The communications between commercial aircraft and the ground can be interesting, amusing and sometimes even disturbing. However radios that receive the approximately 220MHz to 400MHz band commonly used for aircraft (both military and commercial) are not easily found. And scanners can be complicated, large and expensive. With an easy to build circuit such as this one, everyone can enjoy listening in on these conversations.


It's a lot of fun to listen in on airplane / aircraft communications, and this electronic circuit gives you a feasible alternative to the very expensive commercial radio scanners that are available on the market. Awesome for us hobbyists!

This aircraft receiver electronic circuit was first published in the Think Tank column of the Sept. 1995 issue of Popular Electronics, and it looks very simple to build, with only about 20 electronic components.

L1 is made by winding 2 turns of 22 AWG magnet wire on a 5/32 drill bit. This inductor can be modified to shift the frequency range of the circuit. The antenna can also be placed at the anode of D1 if overload is a problem with it connected to the emitter of Q1. R5 adjusts regen and thus sensitivity.


Component List
Technical Specification

R1, R3 - 47K 1/4W Resistor
R2 - 10K 1/4W Resistor
R4 - 4.7K 1/4W Resistor
R5 - 5K Linear Taper Pot
R6 - 2.2K 1/4W Resistor
C1, C2, C3, C6 - 0.001uF Ceramic Disc Capacitor
C4 - 2.2pF Ceramic Disc Capacitor
C5 - 1pF Ceramic Disc Capacitor
C7 - 15uF 15V Electrolytic Capacitor
C8 - 18pF Variable Capacitor
D1 - 1N82 Diode
Q1 - 2N918 NPN Transistor
L1 - See Notes
L2 - 1.8uH Inductor
ANT1 - Approx. 18 Inch Wire Antenna
MISC - PC Board, Wire, Knob For C8

Voltage Supply: 9-12V
Operating Frequency: 220MHz - 400MHz


Electronic Kits / Components



Aircraft / Airplane Radio Receiver and many other electronic kits and components are available in Electronics-DIY store please see the link for more details.






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Arduino Prototype Kit
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Having the ability to control various appliances inside or outside of your house wirelessly is a huge convenience, and can make your life much easier and fun. RF remote control provides long range of up to 200m / 650ft and can find many uses for controlling different devices, and it works even through the walls. You can control lights, fans, AC system, computer, printer, amplifier, robots, garage door, security systems, motor-driven curtains, motorized window blinds, door locks, sprinklers, motorized projection screens and anything else you can think of.
 

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