Australian Magazine AM transmitter kit may spark interest in New Amateurs

[jonovid]

March 2018 Silicon Chip Magazine has an AM micro power 535-1605 kHz transmitter kit.
Amateur radio is always looking for ways to spark interest in the hobby. 
this may help kids get in the hobby?

with just two AM 535-1605 kHz mw silicon chip transmitter kits
and two AM broadcast receivers
has kids playing with radio over a range of just 10 meters. and...no license needed.

Do you have a posted copy of March 2018 SC Magazine. if any missing pages
contact editor@siliconchip.com.au

[BradC]

.
Amateur radio is always looking for ways to spark interest in the hobby. 
this may help kids get in the hobby?

I can't see why not. One of my first projects with my shiny new Tandy 200-in-1 kit was an AM transmitter. I remember very well the awe in speaking into the crystal earpiece and hearing it loud and clear on the Stereo. Probably 35 years ago now. Stuff like that sticks with you forever.

I guess the difference with that was poking wires into springs while following a diagram, vs the Silicon Chip one requiring soldering and construction and therefore some Adult supervision / assistance. The beauty of the old 200-in-1 was I didn't need to seek any parental help to do whatever I liked with it

None the less, kits are getting less and less theoretical and more "just plug the blocks together", so anything that goes back to basics like that can't be bad.

[hamster_nz]

I wonder at if it has appeal, given that most kids can now talk over 100s of kilometers..

It isn't like back in the day, when a shortwave allowed you to listen to the word, and it seemed only the state or large companies could TX.

[vk3yedotcom]

Could be a fun project. Uses a MC1496 RF mixer chip - beloved of Theremin builders.

But AM is becoming increasingly rare on radios - whereas FM is more common.

It is also difficult for a beginner to build and adjust an efficient antenna for ~1 MHz.

On a range achieved per component basis, I think there's a lot to be said for FM bugs.

Good audio, efficient antennas, more people have radios that can tune it and better range (>200 metres).

http://www.talkingelectronics.com/projects/FM-BugsIntro/FM-BugsIntro.html is a good introduction.