You can make simple electronic circuits for home use with your own hands, even without deep knowledge of electronics. In fact, at the everyday level, radio is very simple. Knowledge of the elementary laws of electrical engineering (Ohm, Kirchhoff), general principles the work of semiconductor devices, skills in reading circuit diagrams, and the ability to work with an electric soldering iron are quite enough to assemble a simple circuit.

Radio amateur workshop

No matter how complex the scheme may have to be completed, you must have a minimum set of materials and tools in your home workshop:

• Side cutters;
• Tweezers;
• Solder;
• Flux;
• Circuit boards;
• Tester or multimeter;
• Materials and tools for making the device body.

You should not purchase expensive professional tools and devices to begin with. An expensive soldering station or digital oscilloscope will be of little help to a novice radio amateur. At the beginning of your creative journey, the simplest instruments are sufficient, on which you need to hone your experience and skills.

Where to start

Do-it-yourself radio circuits for the home should not exceed the level of complexity that you have, otherwise it will only mean wasted time and materials. If you lack experience, it is better to limit yourself to the simplest schemes, and as you gain skills, improve them, replacing them with more complex ones.

Usually, most literature in the field of electronics for beginning radio amateurs gives a classic example of making the simplest receivers. This especially applies to classical old literature, which does not contain so many fundamental errors compared to modern literature.

Note! These schemes were designed for the enormous power of transmitting radio stations in the past. Today, transmitting centers use less power to transmit and try to move to shorter wavelengths. Don't waste time trying to make a working radio using a simple circuit.

Radio circuits for beginners should contain a maximum of two or three active elements - transistors. This will make it easier to understand the operation of the circuit and increase the level of knowledge.

What can be done

What can be done so that it is not difficult and can be used in practice at home? There can be many options:

• Apartment call;
• Christmas tree garland switch;
• Lighting for modding system unit computer.

Important! Devices that operate from a household network should not be designed alternating current, there is not enough experience yet. This is dangerous both for life and for others.

Quite simple circuits have amplifiers for computer speakers, made on specialized integrated circuits. Devices assembled on their basis contain a minimum number of elements and require virtually no adjustment.

You can often find circuits that need basic modifications and improvements that simplify manufacturing and configuration. But this should be done by an experienced master so that the final version is more accessible to a beginner.

What to use for the design

Most literature recommends designing simple circuits on circuit boards Oh. Nowadays this is quite simple. There are a wide variety of circuit boards available with different hole and trace configurations.

The installation principle is that the parts are installed on the board in free places, and then the required pins are connected to each other by jumpers, as indicated in the circuit diagram.

With due care, such a board can serve as the basis for many circuits. The power of the soldering iron for soldering should not exceed 25 W, then the risk of overheating radio elements and printed conductors will be minimized.

The solder should be low-melting, like POS-60, and as a flux it is best to use pure pine rosin or its solution in ethyl alcohol.

Highly qualified radio amateurs can themselves develop a printed circuit board design and make it on foil material, on which they can then solder radio elements. The design developed in this way will have optimal dimensions.

Design of the finished structure

Looking at the creations of beginners and experienced craftsmen, one can come to the conclusion that assembling and adjusting the device is not always the most difficult part of the design process. Sometimes a properly functioning device remains a set of parts with soldered wires, not covered by any housing. Nowadays, you no longer have to worry about making a case, because on sale you can find all kinds of sets of cases of any configuration and size.

Before you start manufacturing the design you like, you should fully think through all the stages of the work: from the availability of tools and all radio elements to the design of the housing. It will be completely uninteresting if during the work it turns out that one of the resistors is missing, and there are no replacement options. It is better to carry out the work under the guidance of an experienced radio amateur, and, as a last resort, periodically monitor the manufacturing process at each stage.

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Schemes of homemade measuring instruments

The device circuit, developed on the basis of a classic multivibrator, but instead load resistors Transistors with opposite main conductivity are included in the collector circuits of the multivibrator.

It's good if you have an oscilloscope in your laboratory. Well, if it is not there and it is not possible to buy it for one reason or another, do not be upset. In most cases, it can be successfully replaced by a logic probe, which allows you to monitor the logical levels of signals at the inputs and outputs of digital integrated circuits, determine the presence of pulses in the controlled circuit and reflect the received information visually (light-color or digital) or audio (tone signals of various frequencies ) forms. When setting up and repairing structures based on digital integrated circuits, it is not always so necessary to know the characteristics of pulses or exact values voltage levels. Therefore, logic probes make the setup process easier, even if you have an oscilloscope.

A huge selection of different pulse generator circuits is presented. Some of them generate a single pulse at the output, the duration of which does not depend on the duration of the triggering (input) pulse. Such generators are used for a wide variety of purposes: simulating input signals digital devices, when checking the performance of digital integrated circuits, the need to supply a certain number of pulses to some device with visual control of processes, etc. Others generate sawtooth and square pulses different frequency, duty cycle and amplitude

Repair of various components and devices of low-frequency radio-electronic equipment and technology can be greatly simplified if used as an assistant function generator, which makes it possible to study the amplitude-frequency characteristics of any low-frequency device, transient processes and nonlinear characteristics of any analog devices, and also has the ability to generate rectangular pulses and simplify the process of setting up digital circuits.

When setting up digital devices, you definitely need one more device - a pulse generator. An industrial generator is a rather expensive device and is rarely on sale, but its analogue, although not as accurate and stable, can be assembled from available radio elements at home

However, creating a sound generator that produces a sinusoidal signal is not easy and quite painstaking, especially in terms of setup. The fact is that any generator contains at least two elements: an amplifier and a frequency-dependent circuit that determines the oscillation frequency. It is usually connected between the output and input of the amplifier, creating a positive feedback(POS). In the case of an RF generator, everything is simple - just an amplifier with one transistor and an oscillating circuit that determines the frequency. For the audio frequency range, winding a coil is difficult, and its quality factor is low. Therefore, in the audio frequency range, RC elements are used - resistors and capacitors. They filter the fundamental harmonics quite poorly, and therefore the sine wave signal turns out to be distorted, for example, limited by peaks. To eliminate distortion, amplitude stabilization circuits are used that support low level generated signal when distortion is not yet noticeable. It is the creation of a good stabilizing circuit that does not distort the sinusoidal signal that causes the main difficulties.

Often, after assembling the structure, the radio amateur sees that the device does not work. Humans do not have sense organs that allow them to see. electricity, electromagnetic field or processes occurring in electronic circuits. Radio measuring instruments - the eyes and ears of a radio amateur - help to do this.

Therefore, we need some means of testing and checking telephones and loudspeakers, amplifiers audio frequency, various sound recording and sound reproducing devices. Such a tool is amateur radio circuits of audio frequency signal generators, or, more simply, a sound generator. Traditionally, it produces a continuous sine wave whose frequency and amplitude can be varied. This allows you to check all ULF stages, find faults, determine the gain, take amplitude-frequency characteristics (AFC) and much more.

We consider a simple homemade amateur radio attachment that turns your multimeter into a universal device for testing zener diodes and dinistors. PCB drawings available

Beginner radio amateurs who are interested in self-assembly circuits and repairs of various electronic devices, get lost in a sea of ​​numerous terms and details. Meanwhile, you can give a number of tips on what knowledge is needed first of all, what instruments to use, how to navigate when choosing circuit elements.

Required knowledge

It is very important for radio amateurs:

• know and understand the basic laws of electrical engineering;
• be able to navigate using diagrams;
• clearly define the role of each element in the diagram and visually represent what it looks like.

Important! Theoretical knowledge must be constantly supported by practice.

Tools and devices

For assembly amateur radio circuits and homemade structures, you must have the following tools:

1. A soldering iron, the power of which must be chosen average - no more than 40 W. More advanced craftsmen are thinking about purchasing a soldering station;
2. Side cutters. Not too massive a tool for working with radio devices;

1. Tin-lead solder exists in the form of wire.

Important! Among all the devices, the main, and often the only, is a digital multimeter or analog tester, with which you can measure all the main parameters of the circuit.

Before you start assembling simple and interesting DIY radio circuits, you can practice dismantling old radio equipment. At the same time, practical skills in soldering work are formed.

1. In ancient TVs with lamps, a completely suitable thing is a supply transformer. It can be used in many homemade radios. For example, assemble a charger for car battery or power supply for a sound amplifier. The main thing is to know its technical data;
2. In obsolete radio electronics devices: television equipment, video recorders, ordinary tape recorders, there are entire microcircuits ready for use. For example, we can name an audio amplifier, the circuit of which is constructed by simply assembling components, without etching on printed circuit boards, etc.;
3. The tone control is also used ready-made. At the same time, the assembled audio amplifier will receive new options: the ability to control the low-frequency and high-frequency ranges, change the balance in stereo speakers;
4. Basically, all devices manufactured by radio amateurs operate on five-, nine- and twelve-volt power supplies. Such power supplies from old equipment will be the most useful.

You can use any available designs as housings for circuits or buy ready-made ones of different sizes and shapes. Housings from non-working devices are often used for new homemade radios.

A non-working power supply from a computer is very valuable, where does it come from:

• a lot of radio components: transistors, capacitors, diodes, resistances, which are useful for assembled devices;
• cooling radiators are an important accompanying element for high-power transistors;
• good wires;
• the building itself is an excellent place to place new structures.

Circuit assembly methods

1. Wall-mounted installation. Simple soldering of components in accordance with the developed circuit. Soldered assemblies can be installed on supporting platforms. The method is suitable for constructing radio circuits from a small number of parts;
2. Installation on a printed circuit board - a textolite platform on which foil tracks are made as connecting conductors.

The second method is divided into several options:

1. Mechanical. Cutting paths with a sharp object to eliminate contact connections in unnecessary places;
2. Chemical. Using varnish or paint, you need to draw the required diagram on the foil. Then immerse in a special composition - a solution of ferric chloride. After processing, a pattern corresponding to the design will be obtained, and all areas without varnish will be removed by dissolution;
3. Laser ironing.

What schemes should I start with?

A classic start for radio amateurs - make it simple detector receiver. The circuit contains a small number of components and can be assembled by anyone. Then you can expand the device sound amplifier using transistors. With the arrival of experience and understanding, work with microcircuits begins.

A large number of interesting and very simple options for homemade radios with descriptions of parts and diagrams are available on the RadioKot website. You can, for example, assemble color music, pulsed clock illumination, a stereo transmitter and much more. There are also useful forums where you can clarify complex issues and communicate with experienced professionals.

As you gain skills, your interest in assembling complex devices will increase. Radio electronic homemade products– one of the most exciting activities for people of all ages.

Video

One of the common hobbies of amateurs and professionals in the field of electronics is the design and manufacture of various homemade products for the home. Electronic homemade products do not require large material and financial costs and can be done at home, since work with electronics is, for the most part, “clean”. The only exception is the manufacture of various body parts and other mechanical components.

Useful electronic homemade products can be used in all areas of everyday life, from the kitchen to the garage, where many are engaged in improving and repairing car electronic devices.

Homemade products in the kitchen

Kitchen electronics crafts can be a complement to existing accessories and fixtures. Industrial and homemade electric kebab makers are very popular among apartment residents.

Another common example of kitchen homemade products made by a home electrician is timers and automatic switching on of lights above work surfaces, and electric ignition of gas burners.

Important! Changing the design of some household appliances, especially gas appliances, may cause “misunderstanding and rejection” by regulatory organizations. In addition, it requires great care and attention.

Electronics in the car

Homemade devices for cars are most widely used among owners of domestic brands of vehicles, which are distinguished by a minimum number of additional functions. The following schemes are in wide demand:

• Sound indicators for turns and handbrake;
• Operating mode indicator battery and a generator.

More experienced radio amateurs are equipping their cars with parking sensors, electronic window drives, and automatic light sensors to control low beam headlights.

Homemade crafts for beginners

Most novice radio amateurs are engaged in the manufacture of structures that do not require high qualifications. Simple proven designs can serve for a long time and not only for the sake of benefit, but also as a reminder of the technical “growing up” from a beginner radio amateur to a professional.

For inexperienced hobbyists, many manufacturers produce ready-made construction kits that contain printed circuit board and a set of elements. Such sets allow you to practice the following skills:

• Reading schematic and wiring diagrams;
• Correct soldering;
• Setup and adjustment using a ready-made method.

Very common among sets Digital Watch various designs and degrees of complexity.

As an area of ​​application of knowledge and experience, radio amateurs can design electronic toys, using simpler schemes or altering industrial structures to suit your wishes and capabilities.

Interesting ideas for crafts can be seen in the examples of making radio-electronic crafts from worn-out computer parts.

Home workshop

To independently design radio-electronic devices, you need a certain minimum of tools, devices and measuring instruments :

• Soldering iron;
• Side cutters;
• Tweezers;
• Screwdriver Set;
• Pliers;
• Multifunctional tester (avometer).

On a note. When planning to do electronics yourself, you should not immediately take on complex designs and purchase an expensive tool.

Most radio amateurs began their journey by using a simple 220V 25-40W soldering iron, and the most popular Soviet tester, the Ts-20, was used in the home laboratory. All this is enough for practicing with electricity, acquiring the necessary skills and experience.

There is no point in buying an expensive soldering station for a novice radio amateur if he does not have the necessary experience with a conventional soldering iron. Moreover, the possibility of using the station will not appear soon, but only after sometimes quite a long time.

There is also no need for professional measuring equipment. The only serious device that even a novice amateur may need is an oscilloscope. For those who already understand electronics, an oscilloscope is one of the most sought-after measurement tools.

Inexpensive ones can be successfully used as an avometer. digital instruments made in China. Having rich functionality, they have high accuracy measurements, ease of use and, importantly, have a built-in module for measuring transistor parameters.

When talking about a DIY home workshop, one cannot fail to mention the materials used for soldering. This is solder and flux. The most common solder is POS-60 alloy, which has a low melting point and provides high soldering reliability. Most solders used for soldering all kinds of devices are analogues of the mentioned alloy and can be successfully replaced with it.

Ordinary rosin is used as a flux for soldering, but for ease of use it is better to use its solution in ethyl alcohol. Rosin-based fluxes do not require removal from installation after operation, since they are chemically neutral under most operating conditions, and the thin film of rosin formed after evaporation of the solvent (alcohol) exhibits good protective properties.

Important! When soldering electronic components Under no circumstances should active fluxes be used. This is especially true for soldering acid (zinc chloride solution), since even under normal conditions such flux has a destructive effect on thin copper printed conductors.

To service heavily oxidized terminals, it is better to use active acid-free flux LTI-120, which does not require rinsing.

It is very convenient to work using solder that contains flux. The solder is made in the form of a thin tube, inside of which there is rosin.

For mounting elements, breadboards made of double-sided foil fiberglass, which are produced in a wide range, are well suited.

Security measures

Working with electricity is associated with risks to health and even life, especially if the electronics are designed with your own hands with mains power. Homemade electrical devices should not use transformerless power from a household AC network. As a last resort, such devices should be configured by connecting them to the network through an isolation transformer with a transformation ratio equal to unity. The voltage at its output will correspond to the network voltage, but at the same time reliable galvanic isolation will be ensured.

For those just starting to take their first steps into electronics, it is important to start somewhere. Well, we invite you to familiarize yourself with ideas that may come in handy in the future and at the same time give you an idea of ​​how something should be done. What to choose if you want to make simple ones with your own hands? Here are options that can be used in everyday life.

Simple power regulator for smooth switching of lamps

This type of device has found wide application. The simplest is a regular diode, which is connected in series with the load. Such regulation can be used to extend the life of an incandescent lamp, as well as to prevent overheating of the soldering iron. They can also be used to change power over a wide range of values. First, there will be the simplest DIY electronic crafts. You can see the diagrams here.

How to protect yourself from mains voltage fluctuations

This device turns off the load if the mains voltage is outside the permissible limits. As a rule, a deviation of up to 10% from the norm is considered normal. But due to the peculiarities of the energy supply system in our country, such limits are not always observed. So, the voltage can be 1.5 times higher, or much lower than necessary. The result is often unpleasant - the equipment fails. Therefore, there is a need for a device that will turn off the load before something has time to burn out. But when creating such a homemade product, you need to be careful, since the work will be carried out with considerable stress.

How to make a safety transformer

Transformerless power supplies are often used in various electronic designs. Typically, such devices have low power, and to avoid electrical injury, they are placed in an insulating plastic case. But sometimes they need to be configured, and then the security is broken. To avoid possible injury, use an isolating safety transformer. It will also be useful when repairing such devices. Structurally, they consist of two identical windings, each of which is designed for the network. As a rule, the power of transformers of this type ranges from 60-100 W, these are the optimal parameters for setting up various electronics.

Simple emergency lighting source

What to do if it is necessary that in the event of a power outage, the illumination of a certain area is maintained? The answer to such calls can be an emergency lamp made on the basis of a standard energy-saving lamp, the power of which does not exceed 11 Watts. So if you need light somewhere in the corridor, utility room or workplace, this homemade product will come in handy. Usually, if there is voltage, they operate directly from the mains. When it disappears, the lamp begins to function on battery power. When the mains voltage is restored, the lamp will work and the battery will automatically charge. The best electronic DIY projects have been left for the end of the article.

Boost power regulator for soldering iron

In cases where it is necessary to solder massive parts or the mains voltage often drops, using a soldering iron becomes problematic. And a step-up power regulator can help out of this situation. In these cases, the load (i.e., the soldering iron) is powered using rectified mains voltage. The change is carried out using an electrolytic capacitor, the capacitance of which allows you to obtain a voltage greater than 1.41 network voltage. So, with a standard voltage value of 220 V, it will give 310 V. And if there is a drop, say, to 160 V, then it will turn out that 160 * 1.41 = 225.6 V, which will allow for optimal operation. But this is just an example. You have the opportunity to make a scheme that is suitable specifically for your conditions.

The simplest twilight switch (photo relay)

As new parts are created, fewer components are now needed to make a device. So, for a regular twilight switch, only 3 of them are needed. Moreover, thanks to the versatility of the design, multi-purpose use is possible: in an apartment building; for lighting the porch or courtyard of a private home, or even a separate room. Pointing out the features of such a design as a twilight switch, it is also called a “photo relay”. You can find many implementation schemes that were made either by amateurs or industrialists. They have their own set of positive and negative properties. Negative properties are usually referred to as the need to have a source DC voltage, or the complexity of the circuit itself. Also, when buying cheap and simple parts or entire sets, people often complain that they simply burn. The functionality of the scheme is based on three components:

1. Photocell. It is usually understood as photoresistors, phototransistors and photodiodes.
2. Comparator.
3. Triac or relay.

When there is daylight, the resistance of the photocell is low and does not exceed the response threshold. But as soon as it gets dark, the structure will be turned on at that very moment.

Conclusion

Here are some interesting electronic crafts you can make with your own hands. The main thing in cases where something doesn’t work out is to keep trying, and then everything will work out. And once you gain experience, you can move on to more complex schemes.