Building a Ferrite Antenna Booster
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- Опубликовано: 5 апр 2017
- Quick and easy - Building a simple Ferrite Antenna Booster using a surplus Variable (Condenser) Capacitor ~15 to 450 pf, 24/26 AWG coated wire wrapped around a Type 61 Ferrite Rod 0.5" in diameter and 7.5" L as an inductor measured at ~310 microhenries.
One of many great L/C Calculators: www.sparkbench.com/LC.htm
Another circuit you might find helpful below.
Oscillator Sniffer | Close Proximity AM Transmitter | Ferrite Antenna Booster
• Oscillator RF Sniffer ...
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#restoreoldradios 
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Nice video *smiles*
I usually build one of those into pvc pipe, with end caps. If you install a pocket radio variable tuning capacitor into one of the end caps you can keep the whole unit slender enough to EDC in a bag with the radio and it will be very sturdy.
Longer is better for the ferrite rod and thicker is better for the litz wire windings. Any kind of stranded insulated wire or magnet wire works pretty well though. AC runs on the surface of the wire, that's why stranded is better and litz is best.
This looks similar to a wave trap but works different. Nice job.
Thanks for the video Don. Always enjoy your insight.
+stormlight Thank you so much. Best, Don
Very nice demonstration Don. Thumbs up!
+The Radio Shop Thank you Buddy. Best, Don
Thank you for the video. May I ask you whether “filtering out” instead of “boosting” is a more correct description of what happens upon in practice changing the effective antenna of the radio by the inductive coupling ?
great to see another very useful how to Don.
+Bobby Tectalabyss Thank you Bobby, much appreciated. Not fancy, but useful to say the least. Best, Don
Good idea and very well done. Thanks.
Thank you, I appreciate it. Best, Don
Don,
An amazing demonstration. You're the Mr. Wizard of South Carolina! :-)
Regards, Tom
+THOMMGB Too funny! Thanks again for watching. Best, Don
Great video, I aim to build one. As an upgrade, I plan to add a simple Q multplier I used in my youth - two coils added over the ferrite with a couple of turns etch, one in the emitter lead and one in the collector of a crude common base transistor amp, adjusted by varying rail voltage.
Rhian - that sounds interesting. I would love to see your design once complete. All the best. Don
@@RestoreOldRadios Does this help w/ shortwave?
I like that loop stick antenna. if you add a outdoors like a park and earth a random wire leads you could do some lw/mw/sw dxing.
+Theodore Sears You sure can. It's amazing how well they work based on their size and simplicity. Thanks again for watching. Best, Don
Interesting video--thanks for sharing! I remember as a youngster using a AM transmitter kit I assembled, which had a coil wound on a form. While it was off, I noticed that when I rotated the tuning condenser while next to a AM radio tuned to static, I would hear radio stations with listenable sound come in fairly clear.
I noticed that AM 550 is used by radio stations in Pinehurst and Statesville, and yet another radio station in Virginia. It's assumed that the wattage of these AM transmitters is sufficiently low, and the distances far enough, so as to not interfere with each other even at night.
+Chet Pomeroy Your AM Kit had to be fun. I had a few of them myself. My database shows Pinehurst at 1 kW Day and 0.26 Night, while Statesville is Directional at 0.5 kW Day and only 0.53 kW at Night. I didn’t study or review the Antenna pattern for Statesville. Have you looked at it? Best, Don
@RestoreOldRadios--According to what I found on the FCC AM database, WAME Statesville is only authorized for only 0.053 kW (53 watts?) at night. WIOZ Pinehurst is allowed 0.26 kW after sunset. I haven't looked at their respective day/night antenna patterns, but I'm willing to bet that the FCC is watching both of them like a hawk (like everybody else in the business)!
Used to use one of these while stationed at Greenland, back in the '80s, to tune-in LW rock stations from the Beeb, and what eventually became Atlantic 252, from Ireland, on a cheap Blaupunkt FM-LW/MW/SW that I won in a card game. The gent who lost the radio and "external boost" had been written up for having wire strung up all over one corner of his barracks, and solved his radio dilemma with the tunable ferrite "inductance improvement device".
In 50 years, someone will be trying to unbrick an antique Linksys WRT-54-G WIFI Router, and rediscover the foil waveguide hack, and the Tomato software upgrade, then come across this "old tech HD video" while searching for "antique antenna booster".
+AMStationEngineer Tim, what a cool memory and I appreciate you sharing it. LOL on your second paragraph. Hope you're doing well and thanks again for viewing. Best, Don
AMStationEngineer make me one?
I needone
A superb loop aerial device you've constructed Don. It works very effectively, and it is far more compact than one I've almost completed constructing. Hopefully, my loop aerial will be uploaded onto You Tube within the next two weeks. When you have seen the video, I'd love to read what you think of it.
Cheers,
Phil.
+SteelCity321PB Phil, I can't wait to see your loop antenna. I know it will be top notch! I put this together in a few minutes and hope to clean it up later and rewind the inductor with litz wire to improve the "Q"; I couldn't find it the day I was messing around in the shop. I'll be eagerly watching for your video. Best, Don
You can wind an extra coil over it and use it with your long wire antenna to hear distant AM or long wave stations. Just make sure that you use a RF ground rod with the connection.
The long wire thing helps a TON!
Hey thats pretty handy never thought of doing that before. Dont have s ferite rod but i have a couple variable capacitors and i can wind a coil easy enough. Thanks for sharing
You should be able to find a ferrite rod on ebay or some of the other online shops or an old transistor radio.
yes I'm sure i could find one on ebay with out too much trouble. I buy too much stuff on ebay though lol
+LUCKYLARRY +Bobby Tectalabyss Larry, send me a private message with your address and I'll send you one. Best, Don
Don, that was very interesting indeed! I'd like to dork with that when time is plentiful! Regards,
Jack, VEG
+Vintage Electronics Geek Jack, thank you. Please share your results when time permits. Best, Don
Very informative 👏
Thank you, I appreciate it. Here’s another circuit I built as well you might find helpful: Active Ferrite Antenna w/ Integrated Q-Multiplier & Loading Coil at: ruclips.net/video/869aIcd2KW4/видео.html
Best,
Don
Thank you for the video. I also want to make one.
You’re welcome Larry. Best, Don
great information,, seen those before
+DENNIS N Thank you. Best, Don
Thank you for this video! As a beginner in radio stuff, I'd like to know what the best way is to make a better version of this booster. I mean, does it depend on the length or diameter of the ferrite rod; or the number of coils; or the capacity of the capacitor - the more the better? I have no idea.
InstaBlaster...
babies are Little Miracles
Yes they are. Best, Don
Hello Don, I have two questions. What was the actual number of turns you made on the ferrite rod? Also, where did you get the designer graph top for your workbench?
John - I don’t recall the number of turns, but I wound it to the ends of the ferrite rod. Sorry, I no longer have the build and as you know I failed to denote the number of turns.
Regarding the cutting mat, I bought this one back in 2015. Many vendors and sizes are available.
Alvin GBM Series Green/Black Professional Self-Healing Cutting Mat 24 x 36
More information: www.amazon.com/dp/B007VTP9TK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_dEDCFbVAH6RPD
Thanks for watching and reaching out.
Best,
Don
For stronger signal crate distance 4 to 5 cm ferrite - capacitor .
Thanks for your insight. Best, Don
ألف تحية لك وأقوى دارة الكترونية شكرا للمجهود وأرجو ان يتم تصنيع كل شيئ أمام الكاميرا ليتم تعلم كل شيئ متاح
شكرًا لك على المشاهدة ويسعدني أنك وجدت الحلبة مفيدة. أتمنى لك كل خير. اتشح
I've built a tunable loop antenna but it's rather too large to look like anything but an eyesore inside the house. That looks like something I'd rather have for indoors instead of in the garage/workshop though I think I'd still try to find a small elongated box to put it in. Cool job, Don! Take care, Gary
+Rebel9668 Hi Gary. Do you have a ferrite rod? Best, Don
Not that I am aware of unless it would be inside one of the old solid state radios around the house here or out in the garage. Take care, Gary P.S. Saw that Zenith cabinet last night and it's looking nice stripped down. Sure it has a few issues but I'm also sure you can make it look in tip top shape again. I have an RCA 5T tombstone that someone varnished and varnished over top of missing veneer and that's over a weak piece of grill work. I dread trying to clean that mess up but I'll try to be extra careful when I do. Right now I'm working on an RCA 56X tabletop. Take care, Gary
+Rebel9668 Hi Gary, The RCA projects sound interesting. Just saw another upload from you to check out. Feel free to send me a private message with your contact info and I'll send you a ferrite rod. Best, Don
Hey Don, thanks, much appreciated. I'll cover the postage and whatever the rod itself costs. Take care, Gary
RestoreOldRadios do you have any more?
Can you like use variable capacitors taken out from modern radios?
Yes, you can if the capacitance and inductance is resonant at the desired frequencies. Here’s a video I uploaded that shows the math on how to calculate the resonant frequencies. Hope this is helpful. All the best. Don
LC Calculations Made Simple
ruclips.net/video/YEilRr9EyxA/видео.html
👌
+Phil2Sceaux Thank you. Best, Don
What if i have not *_ferrite rod_* ?
can i use *_a piece of iron rod_* instead? Will that work?
Attila - unfortunately you’ll need a ferrite rod. I built this one for the AM broadcast band in the states and used type 61 material. Here’s a link for reference: www.amidoncorp.com/61-material-ferrite-rods/
Best,
Don
Hi from Turkey..I have 20 cm ferrite and 560pf variable..How many turns do I need for 150 to 270 khz just for lw? And also what kind of wire ?Which awg? Thanks so much
What type of ferrite material is it and what’s the diameter of the ferrite rod? Using Litz wire improves the ‘Q’ vs. stranded 22 to 24 AWG. The Litz wire I used in a recent project: ruclips.net/video/P0vF3rFEX3A/видео.html and a ‘Q’ Multiplier circuit that can be adapted to your frequency range of interest. Best, Don
I have a tecsun an 200 loop antenna for AM reception ,I wonder if mine compare to the one you built,which is pretty cool .AM reception in my apt.sucks as far as AM is concerned.
Probably not a big difference. I have the same loop and I would have to say from what I can recall, the reception using the ferrite rod antenna was very close to the loop. Best, Don
@@RestoreOldRadios thanks Don for the info
Could a steel rod wrapped in electrical tape before being wound be substituted for a ferrite rod?
No, the electrical properties of ferrite are the key. Best, Don
I have just finished binge watching every one of the videos you have posted. THANKS sooo much for all of the wonderful explanations, great photography and superb camera work. Your work has given me the confidence I lacked to be able to expand the work I do on my radio restorations. I am very attracted to your ferrite antenna and want to build one. If I end up with questions as I proceed, should I post them here or can you provide me with your personal email address so that I can email you directly. This is the first time I have posted a comment on You Tube so I am not familiar with the typical protocol. Thanks again. Mike McKenzie
Hi Michael pop to ThatTubeSound on Utube and do some binge watching there as well.
Thanks a bunch!!
+Michael McKenzie Much appreciated Mike. Some are better than others due to the time and effort it takes to video them, edit, then publish, etc. Please let me know if you have any questions on the ferrite antenna or other subjects by replying here. If the replies get lengthy, I'll get my email address to you or you can send me a private message if you elect to do so. Thanks again for your kind words and I look forward to hearing back from you. Congrats on your interest in the hobby. Best, Don
RestoreOldRadios can you make me one?
Can you please show me open winding. I might have not got what you said and i tried winding upto quarter of an inch on both sides. But didn't worked out.
Give me a little time to put a video together for you. Best, Don
That would be magnetic wire right ? before I.saw yours I bought a tecsun loop antenna that can be plug in on some radio or just set it next to a.m. Radios I testing of for a weak signal need ,I.paid I think 28.00 yours probably save you some good money near design,thanks for sharing .
Ron, I used magnet wire around the ferrite for this build. I’ve got the same little loop as you and it works equally as well. I hope you’ve been doing well and stay safe during these uncertain times. Best, Don
I think when you can hear the gain
I think that significant
I wish you would have spun your radio and Boster around so as to find the null and find the direction and broadside
Nevertheless a really good video here :)
TNX 73
Frank -
Thanks for your feedback. I did a follow up video for one of my viewers as well to address a coupling issue.
The video: ruclips.net/video/h323q4UH_Ww/видео.html
Best,
Don
Would Litz wire work on this booster?
Brad, definitely will work and probably better. Some info on Litz wire and a supplier I’ve used in the past below. Best, Don
www.mikeselectronicparts.com/litz-wire/
I bought a 200 in 1 electronic project kit and the antenna was ripped off and lost. How can I make a replacement? I ordered one and it only has 3 wires and the one I need has an extra coil with 2 extra wires totalling 5 wires. I'm not sure how many windings or anything. If you can help I sure would appreciate any advice
Would you have the schematic or photo that shows the coil design you can send me? Best, Don
RestoreOldRadios , the only thing I have is the drawing of it and the electrical symbol. In the drawing it looks like one continuous coil but in the symbol it looks like it has 2 separate coils with a center tap on one which gives it 5 wires. I bought a loopstick with center tap and was thinking about running another coil of about30 windings. Do you think that might work?
Send me a photo of it to: TheRadioRepairGuy at gmail.com
RestoreOldRadios , I just sent 2 emails. The first one shows what it's supposed to look like and the 2nd one is of the project schematic. I hope that helps. Thank you for your time
Here is a question that has puzzled me for a while. Why ferrite? Why not wood or some other easily attainable appropriately shaped material?
Radio Frequency energy being broadcast by a transmitter just LOVES ferrite. RF waves will actually bend to go to the ferrite instead of just passing by.
An inductor coil would on wood or plastic is no more sensitive than a coil with an air core....actually a little worse due to losses into the coil form.
Ferrite is like a magnet for radio waves. The longer the rod, the more of the RF that is passing by can be attracted.
Thanks Jas
Ciri khas tayangan begini: bertele2 biar panjang... 🙏
Terima kasih telah menonton. Yang terbaik, Don
too bad you can't do this for cell phone reception
Interesting. Too technical (talk) for me , bu definitely interesting.
What A Great Video, And Cool Variable Capacitors You Own, Thank You very Much For This Video, I Will Know Now How To Build My Ferrite Antenna For Night Listening From My Cheap radio I Modded :) , I Have Many More Devices And Parts BTW, I Enhereted All Of It From An Old PSRS / USSR / Soviet KGB Agent, Didnt know hes an agent, non of the family members even knew, only when he died we learned that, we found in hes house a lot of self built receivers and transmitters for tapping people, he was the one who was putting in microphones in hotels and on streets even and then receiving the audio and if someone planned some AGAINST GOVERNMENT Anything they would be put to prison or they would just vanish from the face of the earth, we all thought he is just a radio enthusiast, but look, he was not. hehad millioons of transistors, resistors, variable capacitors, combined all hes parts and devices there where legit, MILLION of parts, i got most of them so im selling them, i even made discord channel about what im selling, soon i will picture everything and put it in this discord channel and YOU Could Buy the stuff before it hits ebay or any other site where i can sell it. Discord link is - discord.gg/j28E37Wpt9
When You Join, Just Ask What Yoou Need And I Will Find It And Take Photos Of It And Translate From Russian To English Every Word Thats On It, I Have Germanium Resistors And Other Rare Things, Just Ask, I Have Brand New Old Stock - Almost Everything, brand new vacum tubes, brand new speakers, brand new ossiloscopes, old ones with round display and all that stuff, audio frequency generators and ehh, You just join the discord.
Thank you for the information; I’ll keep it in mind. Best, Don