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Long Range Transmitter Circuit – 2 to 5 Km Range

Long Range Transmitter Circuit – 2 to 5 Km Range

Updated:

The proposed long range transmitter circuit really is very steady, harmonic free design which you can use with standard fm frequencies between 88 and 108 MHz.



Technical Specifications of the Transmitter

This will likely encompass 5km spectrum (long range). It includes an extremely consistent oscillator for the reason that you employ LM7809 stabilizer that is a 9V stabilized power source for T1 transistor and for frequency realignment that may be reached by means of the 10K linear potentiometer.

The output strength of this long range rf transmitter is approximately 1W however may be more significant should you use transistors like KT920A, BLY8, 2SC1970, 2SC1971…

Transistor T1 is employed as an oscillator stage to present a small power steady frequency. To fine-tune the freq. apply the 10k linear potentiometer this way: should you moderate, in the direction of ground, the freq. would probably decrease but when you fine-tune it in direction of + it would climb.

Essentially the potentiometer is needed just as a flexible power source for the a pair of BB139 varicap diodes.

Both of these diodes function as a changeable capacitor whilst you regulate the pot. By tweaking the diode capacitance the L1 + diodes circuit renders a resonance circuit for T1.



Feel free to employ transistors similar to BF199, BF214 however be careful not to use BCs. At this point you don’t receive yet the long range fm wireless transmitter due to the fact that the electric power is fairly reduced, a maximum of 0.5 mW.

How it Works

The proposed transmitter circuit works in the following manner:

Always encase the oscillator stage in a metal guard to avoid parasite frequencies destabilizing the oscillating stage.

Transistors T2 and T3 functions as a buffer stage, T2 as a voltage amplifier and T3 as a current amp.

This buffer stage is vital for freq stabilization simply because is a tampon circuit between the oscillator and the preamp and final amplifier. It happens to be renowned that bad transmitter layouts normally change freq. whenever you alter the finalized stage.

Using this T2, T3 stage this won’t occur again!

T4 is a preamplifier stage and is employed as a voltage power rf amplifier which enables it to produce adequate power to the ending T5 transistor stage.

As is demonstrated T4 carries a capacitor trimmer in its collector, this is definitely accustomed to render a resonance circuit designed to drive T4 to promote more advantageous situations and do away with those undesirable harmonics.

L2 and L3 coils has to be at 90 degrees perspective one to another, this is to prevent frequency and parasite coupling.



The concluding stage of the long range rf transmitter is equipped with any rf power transistor containing no less than one watt production power.

Utilize transistors like 2N3866, 2N3553, KT920A, 2N3375, 2SC1970 or 2SC1971 should you wish to produce a professional fm transmitter with ample power to take care of an extended spectrum zone. Should you use 2N2219 you will definitely get a maximum of 400mW.

Make use of an effective heatsink for the T5 transistor because it becomes slightly warm. Make use of a reliable 12V/1Amp balanced supply of power.

How to Set-up the Transmitter

Begin by building the oscillator stage, solder a tiny wire to T1 10pF capacitor out and hearing a fm radio, tweak the 10k pot until it is possible to “hear” a blank disturbances or maybe if you connect an music base you could listen to the melodies.

With a 70cm cord it is possible to take care of a 2 – 3 meter region simply with the oscillator stage.

Next carry on and construct the remaining of the rf transmitter, utilize correct shielding as suggested in the above explanation.

As soon as you have completed the transmitter design, hook up the antenna or more effectively a 50 or 75 Ω resistive load and make use of this as a rf probe, feel free to use 1N4148 diode in place of the probe diode.

Fine-tune yet again the 10k pot to favored freq. thereafter go to T4 stage and scale down the initial collector trimmer for highest voltage signal on the multimeter.

After that carry on with the subsequent trimmer and so forth. After that get back on the very first trimmer and readjust yet again until you receive the maximum voltage on the multimeter.

For one watt rf power you could possibly ascertain a twelve to sixteen Voltage. The method is P (in watt) is equivalent to U2 / Z, wherein Z is 150 for 75Ω resistor or 100 for 50Ω resistor, nevertheless one should keep in mind that the proper rf power is lesser.

After those modification, in case things are heading nicely hook up the antenna, keep on employing the rf probe, readjust once more all of the the trimmers right from T3.

Guarantee you don’t have harmonics, verify the TV and radio set to determine if there exists fluctuations on the band. Verify this in an alternative area, a long way away from the fm transmitter or antenna.

The unit is all set up to be used for exchanging music, talks, chats across the suggested range and bands.

Circuit Diagram

 

All Inductors are air cored

L1 = 5 wounds / 23 SWG / 4mm silvered copper
L2 = 6 wounds / 21 SWG / 6mm enamelled copper
L3 = 3 wounds / 19 SWG / 7mm silvered copper
L4 = 6 wounds / 19 SWG / 6mm enamelled copper
L5 = 4 wounds / 19 SWG / 7mm silvered copper

T1 = T2 = T3 = T4 = BF199
T5 = 2N3866 for 1Watt / 2SC1971, BLY81,or 2N3553 for 1.5 to 2W power.

Feedback from Mr. Himzo (a dedicated follower of this website)

Hello Swagatam,

I have few questions about your long range fm transmitter.

Firstly about the shielding, what is the most simplest solution to avoid those "parasite frequencies"?

Secondly, what means those 1nF capacitors at the top? Can they be simple in parallel connection or they need to be separated to every transistor like in scheme?

Thirdly, I sent you a photo of transmitter, I didn't turn on amplifier part because my heatsink is coming. Where can I put antenna for testing without amplifier (T5 stage)?

And lastly, how can I modulate those trimmers if I dont have plastic screwdrivers?

Thank you very very much, this is great project.

Your fan, Himzo.

 

Solving the Circuit Problem

Hello Himzo,

the simplest and the only way to shield the various sensitive stages is by using metal walls between the stages...

the 1nF capacitors should be positioned exactly where these are indicated in the diagram.... the picture which you have shown will never work... transmitter circuits require extreme care as far as their construction and positioning of the components are concerned.

You can never build a long range transmitter successfully on a breadboard, you will have to do it on a well designed PCB which should have a grounded track base layout encompassing all the thinner tracks, only then you can expect the transmitter to work...that too after careful optimization of the trimmers and by employing a compatible antenna.

Regards

SHARING IS CARING!

About the Author

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials. If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!




146 thoughts on “Long Range Transmitter Circuit – 2 to 5 Km Range”

  1. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. i am interested in the RF section of your design. ie the relationship between T5, L4, L5 and the two trimmers. Can you please shade some light on what is going on in that section. the closes idea i have is the working of a colpitt oscillator. The combination of the inductor L5 and the two trimmer capacitor has left me in the dark. I think L4 is a radio frequency chock. what is the power at the base of T5? Thanks

    • Thanks Abdul, They basically act like an LC tank circuit which resonates with the frequency of T4 stage and concentrates it many folds so that it gets amplified enough for the long distance transmission. Yes L4 is the choke, and L5 is the tank coil

      • hi Swagatam ,

        could you able share your email id , i required 8 kilometers range transmitter and receiver ckt to trip my load my ELECTRICITY BOARD SUPPLY GOES off when DG is running . Here the constraints we are unable to lay the interlocking cable so we are going for wire less , if any circuit is there kindly suggest i will develop the same

  2. Hi sir 1) I would like to know whats the use of those variable capacitors here. I dont know how to use it
    2) What is shielding. What is its use
    3) Which component is 100/0.5w
    4) 10uf capacitor is of how many volts
    5) Why 2 dotted lines in circuit which is connected to ground
    6) Why T5 is based on watts and what is the difference between 1w and 2w output
    Kindly please reply to me at mevivrg01@gmail.com

    • Hi Melvin, here are the answers:
      1)Those are called trimmers, it is for optimizing the frequency and power output from the transmitter to maximum.
      2) Shielding refers to adding metal partitions between the various stages of the transmitter so that processed signals across these stages do not interfere with each other and reduce efficiency, the metal can be preferably copper so that it can be fixed with the PCB by soldering.
      3)100/0.5W = 100 ohm 1/2 watt resistor
      4) 10uF/25V
      5) The shield partitions explained above must be aligned across these shown dotted lines such that they stand like walls on these dotted lines…the height of these copper shield plates could be 2 cm and thickness could be 1mm.
      6) T5 handles the power stage of the transmitter, and their watt rating indicate how much power each of these variants can handle and produce at the output

  3. I have recently build lots of low power fm transmitter all claiming about 1km range but at most I could get 500mts only. I am not able to tune the circuit meaning to say that the oscillator and the tank circuit are not at same frequency and because of that I am getting signal at many places on fm band ie harmonics . how to tune such transmitter pls help. like in this you have got 4 trimmer capacitor how to tune them? which one should I tune first.pls help

    • disconnect the last T5 stage which has the antenna, and optimize the two trimmers to get maximum silence (null point) in the FM radio positioned at about 10 meters away, once this is achieved connect the T5 back and repeat the process without an antenna at a greater distance away from the transmitter.

  5. Hello sir, My name is pakpa. I want to know something that is there any possible way to convert rc remote control car's remote to fm transmitter. Kindly help me.

    • Hello Pakpa, yes that may be possible by first converting the voice signals into digital mode through a class D amplifier circuit

  7. I want to do 5 kms FM transmitter but i have no idea because i don't no which things i should brought and where should brought and i don't no modul of board

    • first you must build and try small designs, if you succeed with those, you can gradually go for more complex and long distance versions….

    • Prasenjit, In the article you will find many equivalents suggested for the transistors, so you can experiment with those alternate numbers…

  13. Sir will it work perfectly ? i want to make this .
    I am new that will good if you can provide me more easy circuit for long long range transmitter .

    • Arka, please click on the diagram to enlarge and copy the part name which are mentioned beside the respective symbols, if you show this list to the shopkeeper he will understand and give you the required material.

      but please remember this project is for the experts who may be well versed with RF concepts, it's not for the newcomers

    • Sir,
      I am a law student and have not enough knowledge about radio frequency to make this project. But, I am very much interested to build a FM transmitter with not less than 5 km range. I will be very glad if you tell me the complete parts list and guide me further.
      Thanks for keeping patience to help this newbie.

    • Sir,
      First of all, thank you very much and "PRONAM". Now, I'm going to make that FM bug transmitter. I will be very glad if you also send me the link of 500 meter range transmitter. I hope, you will guide me. And again, thanks a lot for your prompt reply and guiding me.
      Arka

  16. Dear Swagatam,
    Can I add MPX(stereo, RDS) at the audio input of this transmitter? In manual it says it can be transmitted by every transmitter that hasn't low pass filter at the beginning.

    Best regards,
    Himzo

    • I almost got all the components except the component between
      T4 and T5 labeled as 100/0.5w,connected with 10 micro farad, i don't know it's name and purpose.
      can you tell me about the antenna and the pcb choice, please?
      it will be nice if you put the video of how to construct.

    • it's a resistor, a 100 ohm, 1/2 watt

      please remember that RF circuits are never easy, and it must be only tried if you are well versed with RF transmitter concepts or under the supervision of an expert in the relevant field

      initially you can try a 12 inch flexible wire as the antenna, if everything goes well then you can replace it with a yagi type antenna

      video is not possible sorry

  25. how can i get the complete write up for this particular fm transmitter circuit,i was asked to construct it but am through with the construction remaining the write up need some help from you

  26. Thanks a lot for replying to all the queries Swagatam,
    Can you mention the Inductance values of the coils used, so that I can get an idea whether the coil is woven correct.

    • you are welcome!

      RF Transmitter coils normally are not specified with inductance values because the values can be so less that your meter won't have the range to measure them…so the physical specs are the one that you'll have to rely on.

  28. heyy !! this is ritwik . i need to make a simple wireless transmitter and reciever of range upto 50 metres . the idea is to make a transmitter which could transmit the signals in the particular range of 50 metres and any reciever coming into the range must get he signals from the transmitter . please help me with this .

  30. what is 100/05w in the second stage? is it a resistor? and 10uf in the same stage ? is it something for a surface mount? because i'm working on a through hole board so what is its alternative?

    • 100/0.5W is obviously a resistor and 10uF is after this resistor
      surface mount is not compulsory but will work better…make sure the PCB is maximum area merged with the negative line.

  31. excuse me what is the audio and what is the output? is it microphone or aux for audio and antenna for output? and where is the vcc?

    • audio is the input frequency which needs to be wirelessly transmitted to the other end and the output where the antenna is supposed to be terminated

  33. Sir does this transmitter will work the same with a two way wireless telephone system?
    or if you would mind do you have a reliable two way wireless telephone Diagram
    that I can borrow? 🙂

    • leandro, if you include a radio receiver in conjunction with the above transmitter on both sides then it can work as a two way wireless system.

  35. Dear Engineer,
    If I want to get 10km Range then what no of transistor should be used in this circuit.
    Also suggest what type of antenna is suitable for it ?

    • Dear Suman,

      the range cannot be increased just by changing the transistor, it can be much more complex than this….so it's not that easy.

  38. Engineer, I encountered a problem with the FM transmitter circuit. This was because of my system's resolution that I cannot understand the value of the upper resistor connected to collector of T1. It looks like 10k, 15k or 18K. Please, make it more clearer specifically.

    • Adam, click on the diagram to enlarge it, and you'll be able to see everything distinctly….T1 collector resistor is a 330 ohm resistor…how do you see it as 15k, or 18K??

  39. Engineer, I want to know the value of the upper resistor connected to the collector of T1. It is not clear to me. Thanks.

  40. Engineer Swagatam, I wanted to know what type of microphone should be used alongside this FM transmitter. Thanks for attending my requests.

    • L4 has two terminals, one is connected with T5 and the other terminal is connected to the 100 ohms resistor. So i should applied my 12v to the terminal that is connecetd with 100 ohms resistor?

      Secondly, i am not understand the symbol of 10 uF capacitor that connected with 100 ohms resistor

    • 12V supply will go to the 100 ohm and L4 junction line.

      the 10uF capacitor shows one terminal connected to earth, that's the negative terminal of the capacitor, the lower one, the upper one is connected with the positive line.

    • Sir, the normal variable capacitor has three terminals, so how can i connect the variable capacitors in this circuit sence the circuit diagram indicates only two terminals.

      Secondly, i need more explanation about varicap diodes.

      Thanks for this greatful work

    • for the variable capacitor you can use the center terminal and any one of the other two terminals, the remaining one can be left unused.

      varicap diodes change and adjust their capacitance value in response to the varying amplitude of the input frequency providing the most optimal input feed for the preamplifier stage

  42. thanks for your respond but I actually need a seperate receiver circuit instead of the fm radio reciever seperatly. what I actually want to do is incorporate the receiver into the transmitter system as a device for distance learning.

    • For converting the above design into a long range walkie talkie you can make a small FM radio and use it with the above transmitter circuit but I am not sure how the units would interact while operating on different frequencies..

  43. I love this design I have made it but not tested yet because I need a receiver that can work for it. please post one to me please its urgent. because this is my final school project.
    and how can I make another person talk back to the receiver from another transmitter.
    you send to to my mail box at ochar2men@gmail.com

  46. you have any simulation of this circuit?FM transmitter is my semester project and bb139 is not available in my city please suggest me any other varectror diod which i can use instead of it.

    • sorry, no I do not have any simulation for this design. you can try any other equivalent for the shown varactor diode, it's not too critical.
      please not that the above circuit may not be so easy for a newcomer, I would recommend you to search for a design which has a PCB layout.

  47. is it possible to use this module as rc plane controller with multiple channel ? i want to make my own long range rc transmitter and receiver…

  48. hi all !
    it seems a good design and want really to realize it : but can anyone tell us where is the VCC + terminal ? it is not shown on the diagram?

    • Hi baseer, to transmit video signals at long distances will require highly sophisticated circuits, i do not have it presently.

  52. helo i bought BB122, i made up to T1 and 10pF capacitor, and as u explained above, i cant hear any blank disturbances in a near by radio, kindly help me

    • you will need to build upto T4 minimum to make the transmitter work.
      tomorrow i would be publishing another similar circuit, but with much easier design, i would suggest you to try that instead of this.

  54. hey swagatam, i'm trying to make a transmitter that can send a continuous signal to a receiver i dont have to transmit audio signals can that can be done with your circuit if yes how and what changes i have to make in your circuit to do that. Also can i change frequency of transmitter when its on.and how can i find which frecquncy is currently transmitted by the circuit. please answer my queries.
    sorry for my bad english.

    Regards

    • Hi Amol, by continuous signal do you mean a blank signal which will produce a null spot in the receiver? It can be done by not connecting the input to any kind of signal source. keep the input connected to ground and tune the transmitter to get the required null spot in the receiver.

    • Thanks for the reply Swagatam, acctully i'm trying to make a reciever that collects signal from your transmitter and sends signal or current to base of a transistor and another circuit is connected to emitter and collector of that transistor, so when base gets current the another circuit gets complete.Please he me to make the reciver circuit or is there a better way of doing it.

    • Thanks Swagatam, firstly my requirement of range is minimum 1 km as it is a aeroplane and also using the professional RF modules with encoder decoder chips need to be programmed and the will affect my budget the engine is ready but I need something to control the flaps.Can you suggest another way. I think that the same thing(Transistor part of my reply) can be achieved with AM technology I have receiver design but not sure that it will work.Please suggest me a AM transmitter design

    • Hi Amol,

      sorry, I don't have an AM transmitter design with me.
      Moreover when it's an airplane that you want to control, only FM technology would suit better because AM could be inaccurate and include disturbances in the signal.

      RF modules does not require programming, they can be procured readymade but I am not sure about their maximum range, I have never seen a 1km RF remote control device in the market.

  55. Dear Swagatam,
    I would like to have a receiver for this transmitter for switching purpose, is it possible and logical??
    or you advice me to better look for another kind of transmitter. Clarify to me please.
    Regards.

  58. ok thanq sir iam intrest long range fm transmitar circuit i made it ,so this circuit meterial components and cabinet your buying and send coriear my adress pleese sir ,this circuit price telme i paying your account pleese telme your nomber

    • Hello Basha, I don't have a PCB for this design, and also I cannot find the transistors in my local shops, so I am also having difficulty in making this unit, in future if I am able to arrange all these I would surely do it for you.

  61. In that case you can feed the transmitter audio output to the input of any good 10km range transmitter circuit, the audio then would be transmitted across the specified distance.

  64. can i use this circuit for transmit my wifi signal within range 5 km ?

    do you have any other circuit for transfer/receiver wifi signal in long range ?

    • No, that won't be feasible because wi-fi signals are not RF based and will require different type of encoding/decoding process.

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