Pirate Radio and Video: Experimental Transmitter Projects (Electronic Circuit Investigator) [Paperback]

Newton C. Braga (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750673311 | ISBN-13: 978-0750673310 | Publication Date: January 10, 2001 | Edition: 1

Now that the FCC has changed the laws governing pirate radio and video stations, more and more people across the country are starting broadcasts from their homes. Of course transmitting equipment is very expensive, but now you can build your own transmitters for a fraction of the cost of purchasing. By reading about and building the over thirty projects in Pirate Radio and Video, you can construct your own station with a minimum investment for maximum learning. With projects for UHF, VHF, AM and FM transmitters, this book covers the gamut of popular bands and outputs. Not only will you learn how to build your own transmitters, but also how to troubleshoot problems, test outcomes and even synthesize several types of equipment into a powerful and unique system.

Written with the electronics hobbyist in mind, each project includes basic diagrams, complete instructions as well as advice on how to make each project work best for you. The list of projects includes over several different FM radio transmitters, AM radio transmitters, microwave transmitters, shortwave transmitters, UHF video transmitters, VHF video transmitters as well as nearly a dozen special projects for test equipment and system set-ups. If you are interested in setting up your own radio or television broadcasting system, you will need a copy of this book to do it!




Learn how to build your own UHF, VHF, AM and FM transmitters, saving thousands of dollars over buying equipment at a specialty store
Start broadcasting your own video or radio signals from your self-built station
Experience the fun and learning that radio and video production and broadcasting gives the whole family

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Newnes; 1 edition (January 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750673311
• ISBN-13: 978-0750673310
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,894,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Tune Out This Book, May 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Pirate Radio and Video: Experimental Transmitter Projects (Electronic Circuit Investigator) (Paperback)

Sorry, but if you want to broadcast for more than a few feet, this book is not for you. This book is a collection of low-powered simple circuits, backed with high-powered marketing. The back cover states, "Now that the FCC has changed the laws governing pirate radio and video stations...." While there is now a low-power FM service, for which a type-accepted transmitter and license are still required, there have been no "changes" governing pirate broadcasting. It's still illegal (and fun). And there is nothing in this book that is going to save you "thousands of dollars" over commercial equipment, while giving you the same power and performance. These statements are clearly misleading and get your hopes up (and your wallets out) for something this book is not. It's unfortunate that the author, who is probably capable of doing so, did not write a book to match the promised content.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A very mixed bag, March 22, 2010

By 

John A. Faulkner "signalsnatcher" (Sydney, NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pirate Radio and Video: Experimental Transmitter Projects (Electronic Circuit Investigator) (Paperback)

A very provocative title, but inside there is little that the serious pirate operator would be interested in - European pirates would laugh at the circuits presented. This might be of interest to hobbyists and experimenters in nations with more liberal radio laws.

The book starts with an introduction to radio theory. As is usual in this type of publication, this is done poorly but don't let that put you off. After this shaky start there is a reasonable discussion of practical oscillator, amplifier and modulator design.

VHF FM transmitters are then introduced starting with simple wireless microphone circuits and moving gradually to mono transmitters with an output measured in hundreds of milliwatts, up to a couple of watts, for the FM broadcast band. There is an interesting circuit for a stereo transmitter but this is not recommended for beginners as construction would present several difficulties and, more importantly, it needs a complete redesign. In its presented form it will not work as it is supposed to.

AM transmitters for the MF broadcast band have a chapter to themselves. There are a few circuits with outputs of less than a watt using semiconductors and valves (US - "tubes").

There is one chapter devoted to using simple FM "wireless microphone" circuits as alarms and annunciators. You can find more interesting material on the Internet.

The final section of the book presents some very rubbishy circuits and some very interesting ones - an earth loop transmitter, an induction communication session and some low-power HF (shortwave) transmitters. There are also circuits for field strength meters and power supplies.

There is a common production issue here that affects many similar books - diagrams are scrappy and look as though they have been produced by a graphic artist with little experience in technical illustration.

One serious issue is that despite the fact that the publisher is European and this is sold on a global market, the only coverage is a brief (too brief) précis of US law. In some nations unlicensed radio operation may bring severe penalties including prison terms, in other places provision is made for experimenters to operate without government interference. You are advised to check out your local regulations.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great information!, April 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Pirate Radio and Video: Experimental Transmitter Projects (Electronic Circuit Investigator) (Paperback)

This book has tons of information, quite technical, not only for learning how to build, but to become familiar with how electronics involved in RF and broadcasting work, to help with insight into troubleshooting problems. Recommended!