Your first radio transmitter you built yourself (no soldering, 500km range)

Contents
0:00 Introduction
1:01 Chopping board mounting
2:01 Circuit description
12:46 Compromise antenna
13:41 Circuit description and diagram
19:28 Parts list
22:27 Dummy load for testing
22:44 Battery for powering
23:36 Voltage testing with multimeter
27:25 Testing with dummy load
28:54 Measuring output with RF power meter
29:12 Testing with Squeakie audible RF indicator
30:05 The best antenna you could build for this
31:15 Preparing for testing
31:38 Finding an online SDR
33:01 Testing with online SDR
34:55 Summary

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[martinsmith]

An Oscar documentary video. You thoroughly explained what each component is used for and how it operates. Please continue on with this format. Expand on the chopping board by adding on an amplifier or a receiver.
Keep the series going.

[morethanmph]

Much better than the spark transmitter I built as a school kid. I was so pleased with the range of a half a mile that I told my teacher. He was a ham - the rest is history!

[johnwest]

We're about 60 years too late for me too build my first transmitter. But I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I wish I'd been able to see it 60 years ago. Kids these days are lucky.

[ArthritisGarry]

Holy shit 500km?! I might have to build this for myself, and slowly upgrade it :)

Awesome video!

[VKLA]

A Great Starter Circuit to make for the Newcomer to make and get on Air Peter

[mrkt-watcher]

Your TX really produces a nice clean tone. Most simple DIY CW/Morse TXs builds I see online don't produce very nice tones. They're often very dirty, chirpy and noisy. Yours should really get through RF noise.

[uplnk.vd]

This is one super excellent radio circuity explanation and building tutorial I haven't seen before!
Please, do more these tutorials!!
Do you have a similar content tutorial how to build a radio receiver?

[grzesiekx]

I have built it like 1 year ago and still use it!

[Tocsin-Bang]

The first transmitter I built was for topband, it was actually meant to be a receiver! Must be more than 60 years ago. 73 de CT7AOX ex G8CYE.

[acestudioscouk-Ace-GACE]

Thanks for this Peter, the very detailed talk through is great and this video makes a superb "first building block" for folk thinking about starting home brew projects.

[ValeriyD]

Impressively nice tone and long distance for such a build! I'm glad I got this in recommendations. Thanks!

[freda]

Well I am amazed you did that with one transistor. I had started with amateur radio when still in school, got the certificate of proficiency. But I haven't touched any of my radio gear in over 30+ years, its in storage boxes....
The BD139 is famously used in many cheap diy rf circuits, but way back then it never even crossed my mind to use it as the oscillator....

[chronobot]

Being able to be heard hundreds of miles away with so few parts and such little power is amazing when you consider it.

Bravo !

[Konstantin-qkhv]

Interesting project! Thanks for the video!

[HeavensEye]

Could this circuit be modded for voice? Thanks for your great video 👍

[bill-]

Great stuff Peter and well explained.
I'd opt for a 3.560 MHz crystal because it's a recognised QRP (low power) frequency and other QRPers are likely to listen on that frequency.
I like QRP and QRP to QRP contacts are excellent.
I have bought all the QRP frequency crystals and use 40m, 60m and 80m in my valve transmitters, and 160m in my transmitter similar to yours but using a BFY51. Need to build something for the higher frequencies now.
G4GHB.

[owenvinall]

Another excellent video Peter thanks.
Owen

[sergiog]

Great design . Greeting from Buenos Aires - Argentina - LW2DQI-

[AnhLe-xdlp]

Hi Peter, I bought a dozen BD139s on your recommendation for this project. Now if I see 2N2222a in other simple transmitter designs, can I substitute the BD139s for the oscillator and the power amplifier? Thank you.

[bulla]

short wave bane it pic up at night times very well