The Radio IC Kit 2 is a simple AM broadcast band receiver kit designed for the TA7642 radio IC. This kit is not a beginners kit. AM Radio IC Kit 2 does require soldering and the ability to read a schematic.

The audio output can either be connected using the supplied thumb nuts or there are solder points to solder your audio output directly to the board. The audio output can be connected directly to a high impedance earphone or headphone. We have tested this kit with magnetic and piezoelectric headsets 2,000 Ohms and higher with good results. The audio output could also be fed directly to an audio amplifier.

The circuit board is approximately 4" by 4 3/4".

The Radio IC Kit 2 is a TRF ( Tuned Radio Frequency, Tuned RF ) type receiver. This is the most basic type of radio receiver with no regeneration or re-genitive feedback. The variable capacitor and antenna coil form a “Tank” circuit that tunes the radio stations frequency then the TA7642 amplifies the radio stations radio frequency then “Rectifies” (Converts to Audio) it then amplifies the audio and powers the Earphone.

AM Radio IC Kit 2 includes radio IC TA7642 but the same board and circuit will work with any of the ZN414 family of radio IC's.
Click here to browse our selection of radio IC's.

The TA7642 radio integrated circuit is based off the ZN414 from the 1970s. There have been several manufactures of replacement integrated circuits for the ZN414. The default radio IC included with the kit is the TA7642. We currently supply several alternate radio integrated circuits; CD7642, MK484, TA7642, UTC7642, and YS414. Any of these can be substituted in the circuit for the TA7642. From our testing and customer feedback, the KM484 (not MK484) has the highest overall gain. However, it tends to fall into oscillation easily. The CD7642, TA7642, UTC7642, and YS414 have a gain just below the MK484.

Radio IC Kit 2 includes a ceramic earphone with wire ends. The Radio IC Kit 2 also has been tested with the following earphones and headphone available separately:

• Ceramic Earphone
  Included in this kit. Ceramic earphone with wire ends. Part number CerEar. Click here for details
• Ceramic Earphone 1/8" Plug End
  Ceramic earphone with 1/8" plug end. Part number CerEar-Plug. Click here for details
  Click here for 1/8" jack
• Piezoelectric High Impedance Ceramic Headphone The Piezoelectric High Impedance Ceramic Headphones. Part number CERHEAD2. Click here for details
  Click here for 1/4" jack

Parts List
1 - Circuit Board
1 - 180uh Ferrite Loopstick Antenna
1 - Plastic variable capacitor dual section 266pf
1 - TA7642 Radio IC
2 - 100K Resistors (brown black yellow gold)
1 - 470 Ohm Resistor (yellow violet brown gold)
1 - 0.01uf Capacitor (marked 103)
1 - 0.1uf Capacitor (marked 104)
1 - 10uf Capacitor
1 - Ceramic Earphone
1 - Variable Resistor with switch
1 - Variable Capacitor knob with shaft and screw
1 - Variable Resistor knob
1 - AA Battery Holder with screw
6 - 3/8" #4 Screws
2 - 1/2" #4 Screws
4 - #4 Nuts
4 - #4 Washers
2 - #4 Thumb Nuts
4 - Nylon Feet
2 - Coil Clamps
1 - approximately 6" pretinned wire