This simple circuit helps you sniff out RF radiation from your transmitter, improper joints, a broken wire or poor equipment with RF shielding. The tester is designed for the radio band amateur 2 meter (144-146 MHz in Europe). The instrument has a reading of 4-step LED and an audible alarm for high voltage radiation. The RF signal is received by an antenna and made to resonate by C1-L1. After rectification by the diode D1, the signal is fed to a two transistor Darlington amplifier HighGain, T2-T3. Assuming a 10-inch telescoping antenna using the RF level scale established for the LEDs is as follows:
When all the LEDs light, the (optional) UM66 sound / melody generator chip (IC1) also operates and provides an audible alarm. By changing the zener diode values of D2, D4, D6 and D8, the step size and duration of the instrument may change as needed. To operate in other bands of ham or PMR, simply change the network-L1 C1 resonance.
For example, a transceiver 5 watt handheld equipped with a telescoping half-wave antenna (G = 3.5 dBd), there is an ERP (Effective Radiated Power) of just 10 watts and an emf of more than 8 volts near the head. Inductor L1 consists of 2.5 turns of 20 SWG (approximately 1 mm in diameter) enameled copper wire. The inner diameter is approximately 7 mm and no core is used.
Trimmer capacitor C1 associates is adjusted for the greatest number of LEDs to light at a relatively low fieldstrength position for a 2 m transceiver 145 MHz transmission. The tester is powered by a 9 V battery and consumes about 15 mA when all LEDs are on. Must be enclosed in a metal box.
When all the LEDs light, the (optional) UM66 sound / melody generator chip (IC1) also operates and provides an audible alarm. By changing the zener diode values of D2, D4, D6 and D8, the step size and duration of the instrument may change as needed. To operate in other bands of ham or PMR, simply change the network-L1 C1 resonance.
For example, a transceiver 5 watt handheld equipped with a telescoping half-wave antenna (G = 3.5 dBd), there is an ERP (Effective Radiated Power) of just 10 watts and an emf of more than 8 volts near the head. Inductor L1 consists of 2.5 turns of 20 SWG (approximately 1 mm in diameter) enameled copper wire. The inner diameter is approximately 7 mm and no core is used.
Trimmer capacitor C1 associates is adjusted for the greatest number of LEDs to light at a relatively low fieldstrength position for a 2 m transceiver 145 MHz transmission. The tester is powered by a 9 V battery and consumes about 15 mA when all LEDs are on. Must be enclosed in a metal box.
