This circuit is a simple two transistor (2N2222) FM transmitter. No license is required for this transmitter according to FCC regulations regarding wireless microphones. If powered by a 9 volt battery and used with an antenna no longer than 12 inches, the transmitter will be within the FCC limits. The microphone is amplified by Q1. Q2, C5, and L1 form an oscillator that operates in the 80 to 130 MHz range. The oscillator is voltage controlled, so it is modulated by the audio signal that is applied to the base of Q2. R6 limits the input to the RF section, and it's value can be adjusted as necessary to limit the volume of the input. L1 and C6 can be made with wire and a pencil. The inductor (L1) is made by winding two pieces of 24 gauge insulated wire, laid side by side, around a pencil six times. Remove the coil you have formed and unscrew the two coils apart from each other. One of these coils (the better looking of the two) will be used in the tank circuit, and the other can be used in the next one you build. The antenna (24 gauge wire) should be soldered to the coil you made, about 2 turns up from the bottom, on the transistor side, and should be 8-12 inches long. To make C6, take a 4 inch piece of 24 gauge insulated wire, bend it over double and, beginning 1/2" from the open end, twist the wire as if you were forming a rope. When you have about 1" of twisted wire, stop and cut the looped end off, leaving about 1/2" of twisted wire (this forms the capacitor) and 1/2" of untwisted wire for leads.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
FM Transmitter Circuit
Plant Moisture Meter Circuit
Stick the metal probes into a freshly watered plant and adjust R5 for a mid-scale meter deflection. The meter will monitor the soil wetness and the meter will indicate whether it is to moist or to dry. This circuit uses a dual power supply which could be created by two 9 volt batteries.
Touch Switch Circuit
This circuit uses a 555 timer as the bases of the touch switch. You can learn more about 555 timers in the Learning section on my site. When the plate is touched the 555 timer is triggered and the output on pin 3 goes high turning on the LED and the buzzer for a certain period of time. The time that the LED and the buzzer is on is based on the values of the capacitor and resistor connected to pin 6 & 7. The 10M resistor on pin 2 causes the the circuit to be very sensitive to the touch.
