Question 1

Is this doable for a beginner who has never soldered? The other elenco kits just seem too basic.

Accepted Answer

If you never soldered, I would not recommend doing that. The kit is relatively easy to solder, and it's doable, but most likely you will need to calibrate your hand on something simpler and the basic kits are inexpensive. As a beginner, the hardest (and funnier) part is to troubleshoot the kit and when I started assembling it, I had one bad solder at the first section. Have fun!

Question 2

All you need is a soldering iron, flux, and solder nothing fancy?

Accepted Answer

They include solder. You do not use separate flux. You need a pencil type 25-40 watt soldering iron. You should have a digital volt meter (even a cheep one will be OK). If you have a signal generator and an oscilloscope it would be of great help if you want to follow the training portion of the manual but they are not absolutely necessary - - I did not have a scope or signal generator and was able to successfully complete this kit. You should have had some practice soldering PC boards before starting this kit.

Question 3

what is the recommended age for this kit?

Accepted Answer

For me this kit is recommended starting from boys or girls about 17 year old.. especially for students electronics, before, they have need the basic radio electronics elements.Pierluigi

Question 4

where can i buy individual parts for this?

Accepted Answer

All of the parts (except, obviously, the PCB and dial label) can be had from Mouser, DigiKey and AliExpress.Mouser has all of the AM transformers (Xicon 42IF### series http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=xicon+42if).They had the 10.7MHz family, but it is listed as "Non-Stocked, Call for Quote" meaning they still sell them, but will only do so in bulk (say, 1000 pieces).Mouser also carries all of the passives as well.Via AliExpress you can get the "polyvaricon" tuning capacitor and 10.7MHz IF transformers, too.Here's the antenna http://www.aliexpress.com/item/61cm-7-Section-Telescopic-Antenna-Aerial-for-TV-RC-Controller-FM-AM-Radio/2027302143.htmlHere's a link to a radio kit for $6 that is the best of them and has most of the parts http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-AM-FM-stereo-AM-radio-kit-DIY-CF210SP-electronic-production-suite/1623114587.htmlOnly drawback to this kit is the selectivity is via ceramic filters, but the polyvaricon and many of the parts are the same. Adjustment and alignment are very easy, too.Go to AliExpress and do a search for "AM FM radio kit" There *are* some kits that work well and some that can't, but they are a wealth of spare and hard to find parts. http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20150411051925&SearchText=am+fm+radio+kitGood hunting!

ASIN	B008515U1U
Additional Features	Built-In AM Antenna
Antenna Location	Music, News
Best Sellers Rank	#483 in Single Board Computers (Computers & Accessories)
Brand	Elenco
Built-In Media	Owner's Manual
Color	Blue
Compatible Devices	Receiver
Connectivity Technology	NFC
Customer Reviews	4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (448)
Display Type	LCD
Enclosure Material	Plastic
Frequency	108 MHz
Global Trade Identification Number	00756619008769
Hardware Interface	3.5mm Audio
Item Dimensions L x W x H	18"L x 12"W x 12"H
Item Highlight	Build an AM/FM superheterodyne radio and learn soldering, IC and transistor circuitry. Soldering required
Item Weight	12 ounces
Manufacturer	Elenco Electronics LLC
Mfr Part Number	AMFM108CK
Model Number	AMFM108CK
Number of Batteries	1 9V batteries required.
Number of Items	1
Power Source	Battery Powered
Radio Bands Supported	2-Band
Style Name	Raw
Tuner Type	Superheterodyne, AM, FM
UPC	756619008769
Unit Count	1 Count
Voltage	9 volts
Warranty Description	Warranted for manufacturing defects
Water Resistance Level	Not Water Resistant

AM/FM Radio STEM Soldering Kit, IC & Transistor Project

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