TR1 is the detector, and regeneration is obtained by tapping the source up the tuning coil. The use of regeneration greatly improves selectivity, and also sensitivity to weak signals. The potentiometer VR1 allows manual adjustment of the drain potential of TR1, and so acts as a regeneration control.
Audio output from TR1 is coupled to TR2 by C5. This FET is an audio amplifier, operating the headphones. A complete headset is preferable for general listening, and phones of about 500 ohms DC resistance, or about 2k impedance, will give very good results here. If a miniature earpiece is wanted, this should be a medium or high impedance magnetic unit. A crystal earpiece will require resistance capacity coupling, Figure 32.
The tuning inductor is fifty turns of 26swg wire, on a ferrite rod about 5in x 3/8in. If the turns are wound on a thin card sleeve which can be moved on the rod, this will allow adjustment of band coverage. The winding begins at A, and aerial tapping B is at about twenty-five turns. D is the grounded end of the coil. The best position of the tapping C depends somewhat on the actual FET, on the battery voltage, and on whether the receiver is to be used with an external aerial wire or not. Should the tapping C be too near to end D, no regeneration will be obtained, or regeneration will be weak, even with VR1 rotated for maximum voltage. On the other hand, with too many turns between C and D, oscillation will begin with VR1 only slightly advanced, and signals will be weak.
Best results are expected when regeneration begins smoothly, with VR1 about half way through its rotation. It was found that only one to two turns were required between C and D. As changing the whole coil by a turn or so has little practical effect on frequency coverage, the best method is to make C two turns from D. Then if necessary unwind half a turn or more at D.
When regeneration is obtained, a heterodyne will be heard if the receiver is tuned through a transmission. VR1 should then be turned back very slightly. Maximum possible sensitivity is achieved when TR1 is almost in the oscillating condition. VR1 has to be set to suit the frequency tuned by VC1, so that final critical adjustment can be made. It is useless to regard VR1 as a gain control, and set it at maximum.
A metal case is suitable where an external aerial wire will be used. Where the ferrite rod only will be employed, for local signals, the box or case must be of plastic or other insulating material.
