OddMix IconOddMix  TRANSISTOR - AMPLIFIER  

Audio Amplifier Two Transistor for Crystal Detector Radio Receiver

OddMix.com - Transistor Technology Note - TTN0803 - Karl Nagy

Figure 1. Two Transistor Audio Amplifier [2 KB]
Figure 1. Two Transistor Audio Amplifier

Figure 1. shows the schematic diagram for a very simple two-transistor audio amplifier that is useable by itself or with a crystal detector radio. This amplifier has only nine components, counting the small 300 Ohms headphones or a small speaker and the B1, 1.5-Volt power cell.

C1 and C2 are a good quality, low voltage electrolytic capacitors. It separates the input signal from its DC components. Q1 and Q2 are small signal, silicon, NPN, general-purpose transistors. The transistors are biased into their active region with a quiescent collector current (current without signal) of approximately to 0.5 to 1 mA. A three Ampere-hour AA size alkaline cell is capable to provide this current for longer then three thousand hours! A higher gain silicon transistor is preferable, but if that is not available a germanium is also useable. The 300 ohms speaker may be substituted with an eight ohms speaker removed from an old transistor radio along with its output transformer.

This circuit amplifies the input signal about twice ten-twenty times, and allows higher volume radio reception without using much power. A crystal detector radio - like the high performance crystal radio set - outfitted with this amplifier produces a louder, audio signal than it's usual output. It does that, however, at the expense of some extra work and components. Current consumption is so low, that a battery lasts almost as long as its shelf life. For operating convenience, add an optional power switch.

                      Parts list for this one transistor audio amplifier:

                         B1 - 1.5 Volt cell - an AA alkaline is fine
                         C1, C2 - Electrolytic Capacitor 10 uF 6-10 VDC
                         Q1, Q2 - Transistor, NPN, silicon general purpose
                         R1 - Resistor, 200 K, 1/4 Watt Carbon
                         R2 - Resistor, 3 K, 1/4 Watt Carbon
                         R3 - Resistor, 100 K, 1/4 Watt Carbon
                         300 Ohms headphones or small speaker

Previous Page | All Circuit List
Copyright © 2015 K Nagy - http://www.OddMix.com - All Rights Reserved
Page Revised: 2015-01-01 - - Privacy Policy - Site Map - Support