Potentiometer, "pot" ► a variable resistor (see also Trimmer).
Regeneration, Regenerative ► a method of boosting the performance of a simple
detector by feeding the detected signal back to the the input of the detector for
further amplifying. This oscillation process must be adjusted carefully by using a
regeneration potentiometer control.
RF ►radio Frequency energy, in contrast to audio or DC.
RTTY ► "Radio Teletype"
Superhet, superheterodyne ► the most common type of receiver, in which the
incoming signal is converted one or more times to other "intermediate" frequencies
before being amplified. Proper operation requires more "alignment" (see above) than is
usually practical for beginners.
SSB, Single Sideband ► a method of voice transmission which eliminates the carrier
(whistle) which you hear in an AM broadcast if the Regeneration control is turned too far
to the right.
Tin (in soldering) ►To coat a wire, cable shield or other surface with a thin coating of
solder in order to make future soldering easier.
Tolerance ► the manufacturing accuracy for electronic {and other} parts. Tolerance
ranges from 20% down to better than 1% of the value marked on the part.
Trimmer ► a miniaturized variable resistor or capacitor used for occasional circuit
adjustments.
Varactor, varactor diode ► a diode whose capacitance can be decreased in step
with how much DC voltage is applied to it, therefore performing the same tuning
function as an air-variable capacitor.
Vcc ► Voltage supplied to the collector of a transistor, roughly equivalent to "B+" in
vacuum tube circuits. In general usage, Vcc refers to the main DC voltage in a
circuit.
1253 - 14
BEFORE You Start Building!
Your receiver is designed to work perfectly as soon as correct construction
is completed. If you understand typical problems BEF0RE you build, chances
are good that you won't make those classic errors which can frustrate
electronic kit builders. There are just 4 possible mistakes which will cause
your receiver not to work:
1. Installing a WRONG part.
Example: Using a 10 ohm resistor in place of 1 K (1,000 ohms)
Or, using a resistor in place of a molded inductor.
2. Installing certain parts BACKWARDS.
Example: Reversing the (+ ) and (-) sides of an electrolytic
capacitor, or pointing the flat side of a transistor
in the wrong direction.
3. Faulty SOLDER connection.
Example: "cold" connections or solder "bridges"
4. OMITTING a part, solder connection or wire.
Example: if it's supposed to be there and isn't,
we have a problem!
If a word or construction detail is unclear to you, check the glossary, or
compare the imprinting on the board to the directions, or show it to a
knowledgeable radio friend.
Installing Parts on the Circuit Board:
When we say "INSTALL" a part, we mean:
Choose correct part value
Insert in correct PC Board location
Insert correctly, if there is a right way and wrong way
such as for diodes, the audio IC, electrolytic capacitors,
and transistors.
Solder all wires or pins
Trim or "nip" excess wire lengths
1253 – 15
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