“This is an excellent educational kit. The instructions and documentation are excellent.The circuit board is done in a schematic diagram manner which enhances the educational value.”
“The idea behind this kit is great, but unfortunately the instructions are outdated and the testing procedures needed to complete this kit does not take into consideration current testing tools like digital oscilloscopes and function generators. Testing procedures are based on equipment used in the 1970s. Unless you have an old school oscilloscope and an old school RF Generator you may find yourself scratching your head a lot. Throughout all oscilloscope tests it mentions that the probe used must have a maximum of 12 pf or else it may detune the circuit: except most current Rigol and Techtronic’s probes start at 13 pf so maybe it’s time to update the instructions. As for RF testing, there is no mention how to setup your function generator to complete the steps required using current function generators for either Modulation or Sweep functions. They need to update the instructions to reflect current testing equipment, fix errors in print regarding instructions, include a higher quality PCB board for better solders, etc...”
“Excellent project kit. This kit can be used and enjoyed by just about anyone, regardless of their electronics knowledge level. If you are looking for a kit that you want to put together to make both and AM and FM radio, it can be used for that purpose. If on the other hand, you are studying electronics as a hobbyist or student, you can also take advantage of instructional lessons that come with it. Both radios are built in Sections (AM/FM-IC and Transistor Audio Amplifier; AM- AM Detector Stage, 2nd AM IF Amplifier Stage, 1st AM IF Amplifier Stage, and the AM Mixer/Oscillator Stage; FM- FM Detector Stage, 2nd FM IF Amplifier Stage, 1st FM IF Amplifier Stage, and the FM RF/FM Mixer/FM Oscillator/AFC Stage. Each stage concludes with tests that can be performed to verify the stage was assembled correctly. Static tests can be performed using a standard VOM, but if you prefer to perform the more advanced tests you can also do those using a RF Generator and Oscillator. (Your RF Generator will need to be able to produce modulated signals from 400 Hz to over 1 KHz. Novice solderers should have no problem wither as the average size of a soldering pad is 1/8 and larger! Elenco even designed Test Points into the PC Board to connect test equipment at various stages. While some of the instruction is a bit advanced without less-complex explanations of the principles, (Reminder: this is an AM/FM Radio Learning project not a Basic Electronics Project) the price for the components, well thought out design, instruction, and ease of construction is well worth the price!”
