General coverage AM receiver from using an old car AM radio

[ka1tdq]

Here's a why not project.  I bought a passive RF mixer off eBay complete with SMA connectors for RF (antenna), OSC, and IF.  It was $20 and I already had most of the other parts.

It works!  I was using 600 KHz as the IF and used the DDS VFO as the OSC input.  I was just listening to WWV (ha...) on 10 MHz on the car radio.  I wanted to post a short YouTube video of it, but as I was neatening the desk, I accidentally shorted the DC leads going to the radio and fried it. I can get another one for $5 or so at Goodwill.

Jon

[ka1tdq]

Ok, this works better.  I had to put a broadcast filter on the antenna input.

https://youtu.be/yW9O4LHx--A

Jon

[Opcom]

Car AM radios are pretty good considering the short antennas and noise they deal with. Consider it a variable IF input!

[Jim, W5JO]

My first mobile receiver was the car radio in a 1956 Ford and a mixer to take it to 75 meters.  That and a dynamotor driven AF 67.  The receiver worked fine.

[ka1tdq]

I was listening to 75 meters AM this morning with it. Channel #2 can be used to drive my 40 meter E rig whenever I get it built. It’ll make a neat combo.

Plus, this car radio has flashy LED’s!

Jon

[WA2SQQ]

Purchased from a dealer, or a one pc sale? Link?

[ka1tdq]

I got it from eBay, but I don’t see anymore listed. It was an older American device that needs +3dbm oscillator input (.4vpk seems to work).

Search eBay for “passive RF mixer” and a bunch come up. Just make sure you get one that’ll go low enough in frequency.

Jon