Amateur Radio Homebrew Projects and Circuit Designs
Find schematics, construction guides, and ideas for building your own ham radio equipment and accessories.
Many ham radio operators enjoy building their own equipment, from simple accessories to complex transceivers and amplifiers. Homebrewing allows hams to customize their stations, experiment with new designs, and understand the circuits they use for daily QSOs and contests. This hands-on approach is a core part of amateur radio, fostering technical skills and practical knowledge of RF electronics.
This category features numerous projects for operators looking to build their own gear. You will find designs for antenna projects, such as delta loops and VHF/UHF arrays, along with schematics for transverters and QRP AM/CW transmitters for various bands. There are also resources for constructing station accessories like automatic band decoders, sound card interfaces for digital modes, and even unique Morse code keys. Projects range from simple wavemeters to high-power amplifier designs using tubes like the YC156, providing options for all skill levels.
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Harry Lythall SM0VPO/G4VVJ homebrew web site, contains several projects, antenna notes and plans, receivers and transmitters plans, regularly updated. -
Simple eprom programmer for 27Cxx family , used in TNC and G3ruh modem, eprom tutorial, schematics and KissEprom software for windows by iz7ath -
A semi-homebrew QRP CW transceiver project based on the ARK-40 kit, enhanced with a BASIC STAMP BS-II microcontroller for knob-type tuning and an LCD -
Circuit diagram and discription of 7 MHz Ham Radio SSB Transceiver. Transceiver using two MC1496, 4.43 MHz Ladder filter, LM386, LM324 and IRF840 in final. -
Frequency coverage: 3.75 MHz to 4.00 MH transceiver for 75 MHz band -
Receiver converter that can be plugged to the backside of the Yaesu FT-817 battery powered portable transceiver -
A 20 ampere and more 13,8V power supply for RTX -
A low-level voltage meter and could even be used for audio purposes. -
Build this simple and cheap 70 MHz Exciter and start to transmit Digital Television by Jean-Francois Fourcadier -
Thermocouple ammeters are very rare these days, but the job they were perfect for - measuring antenna currents - is still a modern requirement especially in respect to groundplane currents. By David A. Reid PA3HBB G0BZF -
The starting idea was to build a battery charger for Pb battery used in car and moto... -
Homebrew a dual-band transceiver with a crisp receiver and a clean SSB signal -
How To Build Code-Practice Apparatus: A Simple Telegraph Key -
Simple circuit, with a simple push, transmit a memorized Cw messages -
Modify a KPC-9612 to give a total of four analog input for remote monitoring and telemetry. -
Smart homebrew antenna-ELEVATOR system with linear actuator. The actuator is a cheap and heavy tool with high enough torque, ideal for elevation systems, but in practice it needs quite an effort in order to operate correctly in your homebrew antenna system. This page inform you of the actuator's secrets. -
A simple and inexpensive way to connect an AR8000 to a portable computer -
Build an automatic band decoder for antenna switching and bandpass filters. Includes designs for Kenwood, Icom, and Yaesu rigs, leveraging PC logging -
To build a Band Decoder to drive our remote relays, we need to supply the band information from the rig to the decoder -
DIY Automatic Band Decoder (ABD) project for two radios, using an AVR microcontroller and 16x2 LCD. Features LPT port control for Kenwood rigs. -
A simple RF oscillator by Harry Lythall - SM0VPO -
by Mike Martell N1HFX -
An Easy way to Monitor RF, AC or DC current with one instrument by W5JGV -
A collection of technical articles on antennas, radios and other stuff. -
DIY Basic Electronic Theory, Basic Antenna Theory with Antennas built from common materials. What does SWR really mean. Baluns from transmission line. -
A micro processor interface that converts PC keyboard code into Morse code -
Digital Voice Transceiver Project This Project began to explore the use of the DVSI AMBE 2020 voice compression chip and also the ADF7021 single chip VHF RF Transceiver from Analog Devices. -
Antennas and homebrew ancilliary equipment -
An Eprom Eraser with UV-Ray for 27Cxx Eprom (and similar, common in TNC) with a timer -
Esr meter to measure the equivalent serie resistance of capacitors -
An SSB radio for the HF bands will be presented. Featuring 12 to 20 Watts of output power (depending on DC supply), full DDS frequency generation, covering 6 major frequency bands (1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz) within the short wave amateur radio spectrum. The rig also features colored LCD and front panel backlight. -
some interestig homebrew projects -
Ferrite Toroidal Cores, Magnetic Properties of Ferrite Materials, EMI - RFI Suppression Design Considerations, Ferrite Beads, Ferrites for RFI Ferrite Cores for RFI Suppression by CWS ByteMark -
EA5/G3PTO's personal site details homebrew projects, including a 7 MHz receiver and keying circuits, alongside photography and general ham radio links. -
Circuits of SSB Transceiver, AM DSB Transmitter, Antennas, BFO, VFO, 807, FM Mike, Crystal filter and more. -
A collection of projects for Amateur Radio Homebrewing enthusiasts -
Wireless Society of Southern Maine Projects, instructions and photos for many ham radio projects and experiments, including antenna construction and modelling, kit building, station setup, restoration and more -
An inexpensive condenser microphone with excellent performance can be easily constructed with easily available parts. -
The website https://www.qsl.net/dl5dbm showcases homebrew projects related to KW, 2-meter, 6-meter, antennas, amplifiers, preamps, power supplies, and more. It provides information and resources for radio amateurs interested in DIY projects and experimentation. -
PDF resources containing information on low cost ssb,am,cw circuits, which are useful for beginners. -
Cannot find the inductors you need for an antenna, a tuner or amplifier ? Build your own it is easy! -
Versatile transmit interface circuit -
This scheme can be used to combine two antennas -
A versatile hybrid synthesizer for UHF and Microwave Projects -
I1KFH's personal homebrew site, featuring projects like transverters for 24 GHz and 47 GHz, a harmonic converter, and a spectrum analyzer. -
IC8POF's How To index, Hamradio mods, Crazy PA Tuner project (transform any manual amplifier in an automatic one). -
A site devoted to Amateur Radio Homebrewing, CW-decoder, CW QRP Transceiver for the 40 & 20 meters band, CMOS reader -
Advanced QRP Low Cost Mosfets HF Linear Amplifier with schematics, IMD, gain data and more. Six articles about amateur radio. -
Two 50 Mhz amplifiers and antenna switch -
by Harry Lythall SM0VPO -
N1HFX project to improve PL tone encoder providing a more stable frequency -
Antennas, Keyer, amplifier, transverter, baluns -
Well documented Amateur Radio HF/VHF antenna projects, high power Russian GS35B RF amplifiers, mobile RFI solutions, related accessories, vintage radios, Six meter equipment, and useful techniques by K8CU are inside. -
This publications page lists articles on surface mount devices, amateur radio, soldering, shunts, and measuring large direct currents. -
A microprocessor based interface designed to go between a standard Morse code key and a radio transmitter. The circuit receives a signal from the key, processes it, and re-transmits it to the radio. -
Inductance and Capacitance meter using``Frequency Shifted Oscillator -
QRP DIY and more -
A useful tool to make PCB -
Homebrewed transceiver for 20 meter originally born for 17 meters band -
N3LS Larry's personal page featuring amateur radio links and homebrew project announcements. Includes study tips for new hams. -
no tune SSB/CW transceiver for 1296, 2304, 5760 and 10368 MHz -
Contains digimodes, antenna projects, DX info and lots more -
Homebrew-page of PG1N with lots of homebrew links -
A QRP antenna tuner for 20 meters band -
A DIY QRP AM/CW transmitter project for the 10-meter band, detailing a crystal-stabilized Colpitts oscillator with collector modulation, offering 100-350 -
Radio-TNC wiring diagrams index -
Redesigning CDE rotator control meter scale for north-centered operation -
This article describes a simple device to generate Roger Beep tones. -
Encode/decode On-Off audio pulses for remote control of projects -
This resource is a 404 error page on QSL.net, indicating the original content for an RS232 interface circuit for Kenwood radios is missing. -
SS232K - The simple and safe RS232 interface for Kenwood radios -
The SARK100 Antenna Analyzer it is yet another antenna analyzer but available in kit form and designed to be easy to assemble and with an affordable pricing. -
Guide to soldering an desoldering -
A 3 element DELTA LOOP on 20 meter, 4 on 15 and 5 on 10: my new beam (Just some good ideas) -
Very strange morse keyers, like Onion chopper CW key, Handshake CW key, Chopsticks CW key, Typewriter CW keyboard, Refrigerator CW key by OH6DC -
Offer a wide range of homebrewing projects mainly for VHF UHF operations. From vhf antennas to preamplifiers, chargers and power supplies -
The "Tenna Dipper" is a low power antenna analyzer and ATU tuning aid. With this handy accessory, you can determine the 50 Ohm resonance frequency of antennas or you can adjust your antenna tuner for a 50 Ohm match without generating QRM -
If you want to build a repeater, this is the right place to start. Includes construction projects and reviews of repeater hardware available in the market. -
This little gadget is that it allows you to tune up at full peak output power, whilst limiting the average power to a fraction of the peak, thereby protecting the PA from meltdown -
Winding Toroids can be a real hassle for those of use who are left-handed or not so dexterous as we once were. -
how to easy and quickly unsolder and recover electronic components from old electronic board (SMD and not) by iz7ath Talino -
Amplifier, vacuum tube, receiving beverage loop vertical and transmitting antenna system technical information radiation resistance, EH antenna, noise,receivers, and information on keyclicks. -
G8ACC article project for a 144 & 430 MHz wavemeter -
A practical guide to winding toroids for amateur radio projects, covering core selection, winding techniques, enamel removal, lead preparation, and -
Rolling your own transformers and chokes. Rewinding salvaged power transformers, considerations and step-by-step guide -
Stuff for Homebrewer -
WV7U's YC156 and 3CPX800 amplifier projects. Everything you wanted to know about using the YC156 or 3CPX800 in a ham radio linear amplifier. See pictures, schematics, test data, links, and more! -
Provide your radio with a very string signal, then adjust the HIGH LEVEL pot to the threshold of illuminating the last LED (all LEDs on). -
A high quality broadcast transmitter big enough for a medium town -
A CW sidetone bypass for the NESCAF audio filter, a small and low cost circuit that works great. -
A homebrew radio transmitter project, based and inspired by the original 30 Watts input on 80 50 and 15 meters band transmitter by W11CP -
Detailed construction of a GM3OXX OXO QRP transmitter, emphasizing the use of FT-243 crystal holders and practical enclosure considerations. -
An automatic band decoder made into a nice enclosure with LED indicators for the chosen band -
This project details an automatic roger beep circuit for VHF/UHF contests. Built around a Microchip PIC microcontroller, the design detects PTT (Push-To-Talk) activation and generates a brief tone upon release, mimicking a "roger beep" to signal the end of transmission. The circuit utilizes readily available components and includes downloadable resources for PCB layout and firmware. -
This project features a compact, 5-LED general-purpose S-Meter, designed for use with various radio circuits. It utilizes the LB1403 IC, with alternatives like LB1413, LB1423, and others. The circuit's design allows flexibility, with one version featuring a trimpot for calibration and another without it for more compact setups. The LB1423 is preferred for its low current draw and dB-calibrated scale. This S-Meter offers an efficient, customizable solution for measuring signal strength in amateur radio applications. In Portuguese. -
This is an easy afternoon project to switch multiple cw keys between several rigs. If you've ever wanted to change keys on one rig or use one key on several rigs, this gadget makes it easy. Plug keys into the box inputs, and plug each of the box outputs into a rig. No need to fumble around behind the rigs to move a key from one to another or to swap paddles for a bug. -
The Information Source For Makers, Experimenters, DIY, Home Brewers, Restorers, and Amateur Radio Operators -
A simple free running oscillator oscillating at the receiver\'s IF (intermediate frequency) beats with the incoming signals in either CW or SSB and the resultant audio frequency goes to the AF amplifier. -
Building a high voltage (5KV), variable plate capacitor (17 to 220pF) -
Homemade an external T/R switch for your vintage RTX by KB8OJH -
Project for DXers and experimenters alike. An old article publishes by 73 Amateur Radio magazine in PDF format, where all the components required to build your own HF spectrum analyzer may be found in a well-stocked junk box. -
Home made LF converter, listen to signals below 300 KHz -
A versatile digital VFO design utilizing the Silicon Labs Si5351a oscillator chip and Nokia 5110/3310 graphics LCD display, operating from 1-160MHz with dual VFO capability. This microcontroller-based system, powered by an ATmega328 processor, features rotary encoder tuning, selectable step sizes, RIT control, and comprehensive band memory functions. Drawing less than 40mA at 3.3V, it significantly improves upon previous DDS designs' power consumption while offering advanced features like S-meter display, VFO lock, and programmable BFO/CIO offsets. The design achieves flexible functionality through simple hardware implementation and efficient software architecture, making it particularly suitable for QRP and portable amateur radio applications. -
This article describes an upgrade to the Kestrel transceiver, replacing its LCD display with a 0.91-inch OLED screen for improved sound quality. VFO boards from Denys VK3ZYZ were integrated, particularly a Nano VFO board. The author shares details about the setup and the resulting enhancements, along with images of the modified components. The transceiver is now optimized for various frequencies and operates at a power output of approximately 120 W pep. More information about the boards can be found on the provided website. -
Learn about Permeability Tuned Oscillators (PTO) and why they are useful for ham radio operators. This page covers the mechanics of PTO tuning, the components involved, and how to wind the PTO inductor. Written by Andrew Woodfield ZL2PD, this resource provides a detailed guide for building and using a PTO oscillator in your amateur radio projects. -
How to reuse high intensity surface mount LEDs as on-board indicators in your homebrew projects -
This article explores the revival of the classic 3 Transistor Short Wave Radio kit originally offered by Radio Shack in the late 1960s. Updated with modern silicon transistors and components, the design retains its educational charm while enhancing performance. Detailed assembly instructions and illustrations are provided to facilitate replication. The project not only pays homage to nostalgic electronics but also serves as a practical introduction to radio theory, including modulation techniques and receiver types, fostering a hands-on learning experience for enthusiasts. -
Learn how to build a VFO controller based on the Si5351 for ham radio operators. This controller consists of a PIC16F1825 and OLED SSD1306 display, with clock outputs for Tx, Rx, and IF frequencies. Features include calibration, RIT function, and the ability to tune frequencies separately. With step-by-step instructions and schematics, you can easily create your own VFO controller for your amateur radio setup. -
A quick and dirty 1MHz transmitter to send old music into old radios -
This page is a detailed description of a 6CL6 and 807 valve transmitter. The page includes the complete circuit diagram to build this transmitter and several pictures -
A PTT switch from Home Depot parts -
This site is dedicated to those who enjoy building radios and other electronic devices using parts and techniques from bygone eras. -
N1HFX's thermal cooling fan controller project for amateur radio equipment, featuring a temperature-controlled circuit for efficient operation. -
W0VLZ's Homebrew Gallery showcases vintage radio projects built with vacuum tubes, offering a fascinating look at historical transmitter and receiver designs from the 1920s-1950s. The site provides detailed descriptions, safety warnings, and links to resources. Ideal for amateur radio enthusiasts interested in classic homebrew gear and radio history. -
winding coils for construction project
