On Thu, 14 May 2009 18:49:39 -0400, Bill M wrote:

Patrick Rimbault wrote:


It is almost a standard radio, except that it can handle SW. Now, when
I opened it up, I noticed 3 coils of wire wrapped around some sort of a
tube. In my brain, im think that these 3 coils are for the 3 different
frequency bands! So, now this gets me thinking, maybe I can make some
different coils, and so change the frequency band? Is it that simple,
or is there something more to it? I really want to listen in on our
nearby airport at 121.9MHz... I think.

Are there any websites that I can visit to help aswell.

Kind regards,
Patrick

Sounds like you are describing the ferrite rod internal antenna. The
three coils might be LW, MW or 1-2 shortwave bands.

These are actually coils for the antenna input stage for those lower
frequency bands. The equivalent "FM" coil is likely going to be a
little tiny thing of several turns mounted on a circuit board.

Thats only half the story. There's also a set of oscillator coils for
each band....maybe in little square cans or out in the open.

The quick answer is no, this isn't a simple modification. Many of us
(me included) have done such things so I can't say its not possible
but you would be much farther ahead maybe building a little Aircraft
band converter kit of something of that nature.

Just my 2c

-Bill




Also, if I remember correctly, aircraft use AM in the 108-136 MHz range.
So modifying the 88-108 MHz FM portion of the receiver wouldn't work.
And modifying one of the lower AM/SSB bands to work on VHF would be quite
a stretch.

.... Rich W2RG