Low- Cost 1 Watt Transmitter

A vintage AM broadcast transmitter with a labeled bar indicating signal strength, a tuning knob, and an indicator light on a workbench.

£110.00 + postage

Rear view of a beige electronic device with ports labeled 12V DC, ANT E, PWR, L INPUT R, and options for 9kHz and 10kHz filters.

Bring your message to the airwaves with our best value 1 Watt AM Transmitter – the perfect solution for short-range broadcasting, educational use, community radio, drive-in services, or emergency communications.

A beige vintage amateur radio transmitter with a black tuning knob on the front, labeled 'Output Tune', and a signal indicator light, sitting on a dark textured surface.
Close-up of a white electronic device with ports labeled 12V DC, ANT. E, PWR, L-INPUT-R, and switches for 9KHz and 10KHz frequency, placed on a dark surface.
A vintage vinyltronics AM broadcast transmitter with a signal indicator light, output tune knob, and red label, placed on a workbench with electronic equipment in the background.

These AM Transmitters operates between 540KHz and 1650KHz in the Medium Waveband (AM Band) and is designed to be reliable and stable.

It is available as a 1-watt output version. It is capable of delivering over 1 watt of RMS power into a short length aerial. It can usually deliver 1.5 watts cleanly driven to 100% modulation, although the power drops off at lower frequencies -see details further down.

The Transmitter circuit design employs a CMOS Phase Locked Loop oscillator circuit for accuracy and ease of frequency selection.  A binary code is created by the 8 position DIP switch. It is also very stable and therefore does not drift off frequency. The Phase Lock circuit provides selection in either 9KHz steps for UK/European Union or 10KHz steps for USA. A suitable Crystal is used for either is selected at time of ordering. A rugged Power MOSFET is also used on the RF output stage, which drives the output toroid and variable tuning capacitor. High voltage rated components are used in the output section.

Audio modulation is series-derived using a pair of Darlington Power Transistors. These are in turn driven by an audio level control chip which allows the transmitter to achieve maximum modulation at all times, whatever the audio source and nominal level is, within reason. (CD player, mixer, PC etc)

It also acts as an audio expander, so low audio levels are increased.

This model is housed in an ABS box, with the view of keep cost and weight to an absolute minimum.

Technical Comparison

Electronic device with digital display showing 1.4934, with a signal meter, a knob for output tuning, and labels indicating it is a 1-watt AM broadcast transmitter by Vintronics, made in the UK.

1 Watt Unit

Size - 150mm wide, 150mm depth, 75mm high
Weight. - 0.9Kg
Power requirement - DC 12 V @ 800mA max
Audio input and output

RCA Phono sockets, left and right audio between 75mV and 775mV RMS (Bluetooth optional)
Audio Bandwidth ( - 3dB) - 70Hz to 6KHz
Modulation level – up to 100%
RF Output level – 1 to 1.5 Watt (dependant on Aerial Match)
RF Output Capacitor – 370pF variable
RF connection – screw terminal for signal and earth connection

Display
Signal level - 10 segment Bar-Graph multi-colour LED
Frequency – 4  7-segment LED display Ventilation – passive convection

A vintage vinyltronics AM broadcast transmitter with a black tuning knob, green signal indicators, and a red LED light, placed on a black surface with a calculator and electronic equipment in the background.

Low-cost 1 Watt Unit

Size -  150mm wide, 125mm depth, 45mm high. Weight. - 0.25Kg Power requirement - DC 12V @ 600mA max

Operating Frequency – 540 to 1640KHz Audio input – RCA Phono sockets, left and right audio between 75mV and 775mV RMS. Audio Bandwidth (+ −3dB) -  80Hz to 6KHz Modulation level – up to 100% RF Output level – 1 Watt Average (or more depending on Aerial Match) RF Output Capacitor – 370pF variable RF connection – RCA Phono for signal and earth connection *

Display

Signal level – 5 LED Bargraph Ventilation – passive convection