TIII:

Unclassified
4 Hour Conference, W/ 7Hr PE1
Safety & Environmental Impact is
LOW

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER

Action:Given a schematic diagram, answer

questions pertaining to Ckt
operation,
Transmitter & Receiver
group concepts
and signal tracing
procedures.

Condition: W/O References.

Standard: Answer 7 of 10 written
questions
correctly as well as
troubleshoot & locate a malfunction
W/in 20
20
seconds
minutes.

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER

All
electronic
communications
both in defense as well as the private
sector are centered around the very
basic transmitter & receiver groups.
This lesson will concentrate on
the Receiver group w/ an overview in a
block diagram of the transmitter group.

Overview

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
Overview;

AM ; Amplitude
Modulated

The FCC, Federal

Communications
Commission grants all
License, & call letter
designations. 3 call letter
stations were
grandfathered in due to
there existence before the
establishment of the FCC in
1932.

WLW

KLT

Cincinnati
OH.

Pittsburg
Pa.

FM;
FM Frequency
Modulated
Transmitter Group

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
TRANSMITTER GROUP;
GROUP

OSCILLATOR

OSCILLATOR
1000 KHZ CW

TRANSMITTER Generates a continuous wave (CW) carrier frequency

with an additional signal intelligence impressed upon it, thus
becoming an Amplitude Modulated (AM) signal. Once powered up
the AM signal is put on the air as transmission RF waves via an
antenna.

Modulator

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
TRANSMITTER GROUP;

MODULATOR
Modulator

OSCILLATOR
1000 KHZ CW

or

Mixer

TRANSDUCER
{Microphone}

A.
B.

Input acquired from OSCILLATOR (1000 KHZ)

A 2nd signal from transducer is mixed with 1000 CW to
produce and Amplitude Modulated (AM) signal or Carrier
Transmission.

PWR Amp

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
TRANSMITTER GROUP;

A.
B.

POWER AMPLIFIER

Power Amplifier Boosts the AM signal up and applies it to the

Antenna.
The AM RF energy is transferred to the atmosphere in the form
Dear Ma
of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation.

Modulator

OSCILLATOR
1000 KHZ CW

or

Mixer

Hometown
USA

TRANSDUCER
Dear Ma

POWER AMPLIFIER
Receiver

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

ANTENNA
Antenna (aerial)

Hometown
USA

RF RADIATION

Is the device that intercepts the AM

electromagnetic radiation waves. As
the waves pass and are cut by the
aerial, small amounts of current
will be induced upon it.

USPS

Tuner

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

TUNER

A: Selects one signal from the many on the aerial by

tuning a Parallel LC Tank circuit to resonate @ 1000
KHZ.

ANTENNA

B: The tuner is capable of tuning-in all the AM

frequencies with in the AM spectrum of 540 KHZ
1610 KHZ.
C: The selected frequency of 1000 KHZ is applied to
the converter or mixer.

TUNER
1000 KHZ
Hometown
USA
Tuner PC 38

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP; PC

Antenna & Tuner.

Tuner

PC
38

O
R4 1
K

Antenna

6
R1

Tuner

47 K
T1

Q1

T2

C1 A

T3

C3

4
R2

R3

6.2 K

22 K

.01
f

C1 B
1
Local Osc

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

Local Oscillator [LO]

Hometown
USA

TUNER
1000 KHZ
LOCAL OSCILLATOR
1455 KHZ

CONVERTER
or
MIXER

1. The LO Signal output is always the Tuner Frequency,

Plus 455 KHz Regardless of what AM signal is
tuned.
2. It is tuned simultaneously with the RF Tuner.
3. The output would be 1000 + 455 = 1455 KHZ CW.
4. The output of 1455 KHZ is sent to the Converter or
PC 38, LO
Mixer.

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

Local Oscillator [LO]

PC
38

O
R4 1
K

Antenna

6
R1

Tuner

47 K
T1

Q1

T2

C1 A

C3

LO

T3

R2

R3

6.2 K

22 K

.01
f

C1 B
1
Converter / Mixer

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

RF TUNER
1000 KHZ

Hometown
USA

CONVERTER
or
MIXER

LO
1455 KHZ

Converter / Mixer

F1
RF

1000 KHZ

F2
LO

1455 KHZ

F2+f1
SUM

2455 KHZ

f2-f1
DIFFERENCE

455 KHZ

The 1000 KHZ from the Tuner is heterodyned

with a 2nd signal from the Local Oscillator
[1455 KHz] to produce 4 different output
frequencies.

M
US a
A

INTERMEDIATE
FREQUENCY
(IF)
PC 38, Mixer

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

Converter / Mixer

PC
38

Converte
r

Antenna

O
R4 1
K
6

R1

Tuner

47 K
T1

Q1

T2

C1 A

T3

C3

LO

45
5
KH
z

R2

R3

6.2 K

22 K

.01
f

C1 B
1
IF Amp

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

RF TUNER
1000 KHZ

LO
1455 KHZ

IF Amplifier

CONVERTER
or
MIXER

IF Amplifier
455 KHZ
Ma
USA

PC
38

PC
39

IF amplifier has the most receiver gain and is made up of 2

cascaded high gain amplifiers tuned to 455 KHZ.
Sensitivity and bandwidth [T4 & 5] are determined by this
stage.
The [IF] output is sent to the detector (demodulator).
PC 39, IF Amps

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

PC
39

IF Amplifiers

1st IF
Amp
C4

R5

R7

R8

56 K

10 K

47 K

10
f

R 11 2.7
K

10

38
card

Detector

2nd IF
Amp

17

13

D
1

T3 s
T4

R 13
100 K

T5

C
8

Tes
t

Operat
e

Q2

Q3

12

11
C
6
10
f

R 12
5 K

15

14
R6

C
11 .
05 f

C
7

R9

C
9

R10

C10

Detector

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

RF TUNER
1000 KHZ

DETECTOR OR DEMODULATOR

CONVERTER
or
MIXER

455 KHZ AM

Detector

LO
1455 KHZ
PC 38

455 AM

IF amplifier

PC 39

Rectified

Ma
USA

Your
Favorite
Son

Filtered

Rectifies the modulated signal, then filters out the 455 KHz
Leaving only the audio frequency or intelligence of 50 Hz
20 KHz
PC 39 Detector
Which is sent to the AF amplifiers.

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP; DETECTOR or DEMODULATOR

PC
39

1st IF
Amp
C4

38
card

R5

R7

R8

56 K

10 K

47 K

10
f

Detector

2nd IF
Amp

Detecto
r

R11 2.7
K

10

17

13

T4

T3 s

T5

D
1

R 13
100 K
C8

Tes
t

Filter

Q2

9
C
6
10
f

Operat
e
8

C
11 .
05 f

Q3

12

11

R 12
5 K

15

14
R6

C1

R9

C9

R1
0

C1
0

AGC

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

RF TUNER
1000 KHZ

AVC or AGC

CONVERTER
or
MIXER

IF Amplifier
455 KHZ AM

Detector
LO
1455 KHZ
PC 38

AVC

or

AGC

PC 39

Automatic Volume Control or gain control is taken at the detector

(demodulated and fed back to the first IF amplifier base.
Required to overcome atmospheric and terrain conditions that
adversely affect signal strength between the transmitter &
receiver.
PC 39, AGC

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

PC
39

AVC or AGC

1st IF
Amp
C4

R5

R7

R8

56 K

10 K

47 K

10
f

Detector

2nd IF
Amp

AVC

R 11 2.7
K

10

17

13

PC 38

T4

T3 s

T5

D
1

R 13
100 K
C8

Tes
t

Q2

9
C
6
10
f

Operat
e
8

C
11 .
05 f

Q3

12

11

R 12
5 K

15

14
R6

C1

R9

C9

R1
0

C1
0

AVC
All Ckt PC 39

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

PC
39

1st & 2nd IF Amp, Detector, AVC or

AGC.
1st IF
Amp
C4

2nd IF
Amp

R5

R7

R8

56 K

10 K

47 K

10
f

AVC
17

13

T4

T3
s

T5

Q2

9
C
6
10
f

Operat
e
8

C
11 .
05 f

Q3

12

11

D
1

R 13
100 K

Filter

C8

Tes
t

Detecto
r

R 11 2.7
K

10

38
card

Detector

R 12
5 K

15

14
R6

C1

R9

C9

R1
0

C1
0

AVC
Audio Amps

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

RF TUNER
1000 KHZ

CONVERTER
or
MIXER

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

IF Amplifier
455 KHZ AM

AUDIO Amplifiers

Detector
LO
1455 KHZ
PC 38

AVC OR AGC
PC 39

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

PC 40

3 stages:

Audio preamp
Audio driver
Audio push- pull

PC 40

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;

PC
40

AUDIO AMPLIFIER

Audio Pre
Amp

Audio
Driver

T6
R1
7

R1
5

R2
0

19

Q
4

18

C1
2
R1
4

R1
6

C1
3

R1
8

Audio Push
Pull
28
29

R2
3

25

D
2

21

Q
5

23

C1
4

R1
9

R21

30

R2
4

26

Q
7
C1
5

T7

R2
5

27

20

Q
6

24

22

C1
6

31
Trouble Shoot

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
RECEIVER GROUP;
GROUP

3rd

Trouble shooting procedure.

1st

2nd

Tone, PC 38, 39, 40

OK
Tone, PC 39, 38
OK
Tone, PC 40 OK

29
24
10

3
2

9
4

13
12

11

19
15

18

14

25

22
21

20

23

26
27

PC39

PC38

No Tone
PC 38
Malfunctioning

No Tone
PC 39
Malfunctioning

PC40

31

No Tone
PC 40
Malfunctioning
Lesson Test

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
Review Questions;
Questions

1.

Where does heterodyning take place in the receiver taught?

________________

2.

The IF amplifier is tuned to the __________ frequency of _______ KHz.

3.

What are the block diagram stages of a Super heterodyne receiver?

___________
___________
___________

___________

____________

___________

____________

___________

4.

What components make up the Local Oscillator & Feedback? ___, ____,
____.

5.

What is the propose of the AVC [AGC] Ckt in the receiver? ______________

6.

What are the two actions needed to Demodulate an AM carrier?

_______________,

_____________.

7.

What type of coupling is used in the RF & IF section of the Super-HetReceiver discussed in this lesson? _____________________

8.

T6 Secondary in the audio amplifier is center tapped to provide 2 signals

that are the ________ in amplitude and the ____________ in polarity.
Answers 1-9

9.

What is the purpose of Q5 Driver Amp in PC 40? _____________________

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
Review Questions;
Questions

10. What is the frequency range of a standard AM broadcast receiver?

_____________
11. Frequency conversion can handled by two stages, or only one. What are
they called? ____________ ,
________________ .
12. After a receiver is properly aligned, it should have maximum _______ &
________
13. What is the frequency of the Local Osc, [LO] ? __________
14. What is the main use of the Audio output Transformer [T7] ? _________
_______
15. What section of a super heterodyne receiver provides the most gain?
_____
16. Where & what is the first test in troubleshooting an inoperative
receiver ? _____ , ____________ _______________
17. When troubleshooting the superhet receiver, which section [card] do you
check first? _____________ ______
18. What is the purpose of Cr1 [D1] ? _________________ ______________
19. When aligning the super heterodyne receiver , Which section is aligned
Answers 10- 21
first ? ______________ ___ _______
20. What method of troubleshooting is used on the super heterodyne

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
Lesson Test;
Test

RF TUNER

CONVERTER OR
MIXER

LOCAL
OSCILLATOR

IF
AMPLIFIER

AF
AMPLIFIER

DETECTOR

Lesson Test:

SPEAKER

Standard:
10 Questions W/in 20
Minutes.
70% Minimum Accuracy.
Reference:

NONE

PE Write UP

PE Set UP

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
PE Write Up;
Up

Example 1.

Card

TP

Indication

Test Equip

39

TP 15

F-Gen

39

TP 9

F-Gen

38

TP 2

F-Gen

38

TP 3

11.89 VDC

38
DMM
38
DMM
38

TP 2

280mVDC

TP 4

280mVDC

TP 2/4

0/0

DMM

DMM

Card:
38
Circuit:
LO
Component:
Q1
Malfunction: Short
PE Write UP

TIII:

SUPERHETERODYNE RECEIVER
PE Write Up;
Up

Example 2.

Card

TP

Indication

Test Equip

39

TP 15

F-Gen

39

TP 9

F-Gen

39

TP 12

F-Gen

39

TP 10

12 VDC

39
DMM
39
DMM
39

TP 9

780mVDC

TP 11

220mVDC

TP 10/9

Hi/Hi

DMM

DMM

Card:
39
st
Circuit: 1 IF AMP
Component:
Q2
Malfunction: Open
PE Set UP