50MHz Super Regenerative Receiver

2022.11.20 Draft

It is a companion receiver for the 50MHz 10mW AM Transmitter. The board

size is the same, and the power supply is also 9V. The customized shielded
coil makes it easier to build and the performance is quite consistent. It
consumes about 8mA, and the sensitivity is about -100dBm.

The super regenerative receiver circuit uses an oscillating regenerative

detector that automatically stops or “quenches” the oscillations periodically.
This allows the input signal to build up to the oscillation point repeatedly,
providing single-stage gains close to 1 million, even at UHF. The transistor
used here provides both oscillations (a self-quenched circuit). This kit is an
adaptation from K8TND’s design of the VHF Regenerative Receiver for AM
Aircraft Band, which can be found at:
https://qrpguys.com/k8tnd-airband-regen-receiver
PCB Layout and Schematic
Part List
Qty Value Remarks
1 33K ORG-ORG-BLK-RED-BRN

1 22K RED-RED-BLK-RED-BRN

1 1K BRN-BLK-BLK-BRN-BRN

1 4K7 YEL-PPL-BLK-BRN-BRN

2 10K Trimmer 103, Blue and White

4 103 Monolithic 103, Light Green

1 102 Monolithic 102, Light Green
3 10uF 106, Polarized, Long Lead for
Positive
1 100uF 107, Polarized, Long Lead for
Positive
1 C: 5.1-10pF C0G 5.1P or 10P, Solder on
Board
1 10pF C0G 10P
1 220uH RFC

1 FCS07S50
equivalent shielded
coil

Note: If you see built-in

tubular capacitor in the coil,
please use screw driver to
press, break and remove the
capacitor before you solder.
1 2N3904 Compare the PCB markings

1 LM386 DIP with Install Socket First

Socket

1 LED Green Polarized, Long Lead for

Positive
1 HEADPHONE

1 ANT - SMA

1 9V Battery Holder Red Wire for positive

Alignment
1. If you have a signal generator, set to the frequency of the 50MHz 10mW
AM Transmitter, AM modulation, about -70dBm and connect to the
ANT SMA socket (tinySA works great here). If you don’t have, you can
use your 50MHz 10mW AM Transmitter together with an attenuator of
-80dB (you can use two -40dB attenuator together).
2. Power on with 9V battery or regulated DC power supply, the green LED
should be ON. If you connect the polarization incorrectly, your
LM386 will be likely dead, so be very careful. Measure the overall
current consumption and it will be somewhere at 7~8mA.
3. Keep both REGEN and VOL controls in the default middle position,
adjust the core of the FCZ equivalent coil up to about 3 threads higher
than the shielding can, you should hear something. Peak the signal.
4. Adjust the REGEN control carefully to make the signal to noise ratio the
highest (not the noise loudest). You may need to fine tune the core of the
FCZ equivalent coil again to receive better.
5. If you can adjust the signal generator to -100dBm (or connect another
-30dB attenuator to your 10mW AM transmitter), you can repeat step 3
and 4 to have the best signal to noise ratio. Now, it is time to connect a
resonant antenna and test how far your transmitter can cover.