I'm a little at a loss as how to "chuck" a low noise mmic in front. I
thought these were reserved for higher frequencies. I had trouble
finding much info as to how I could use one. I did find this little
guy as an alternative:

Amtel ATR5261
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/p...ts/doc4913.pdf

Could I use that as a low noise amp?

And to clarify, I could have some connection such as: antenna ----
lownoiseamp ------ MK484 ------ amplifier (LM386?) ------
speaker

Thanks for bearing with my limited knowledge. I think it could be
useful little deal if it ever turns out.

-Chris

cmor wrote:
I'm a little at a loss as how to "chuck" a low noise mmic in front. I
thought these were reserved for higher frequencies.

Last time I used 'em, used a dc-to-1Ghz MMIC. But, a quick search of
net made your point hit home here, some begin bandwidth at 400+Mhz!
Maybe ebay, old stock?

I had trouble
finding much info as to how I could use one.

This device: (click on the data sheet link on the page.)

http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/data...UPC1651G.shtml

covers HF through UHF and is an example of the type of device I referred
to--in fact, this one may be usable for your needs (it is usually the
upper most freq that is limiting)--but, you should be able to find such
a unit, as this, which covers dc-1Ghz+ in its' specs.

This is a simple 4 terminal device: B+, Gnd, input, output ... your ant
to input, output to your front end ... simple!

I did find this little
guy as an alternative:

Amtel ATR5261
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/p...ts/doc4913.pdf


Appears like an interesting device, however, also looks "overly complex"
for your particular needs ...

Could I use that as a low noise amp?


Absolutely!

And to clarify, I could have some connection such as: antenna ----
lownoiseamp ------ MK484 ------ amplifier (LM386?) ------
speaker


Looks good! And, why not just "breadboard" it first, then commit to
hard wiring it; such as this breadboard:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...p?number=G8534

Thanks for bearing with my limited knowledge. I think it could be
useful little deal if it ever turns out.

-Chris

The longest journey begins but with a single step--don't let anything
discourage you. A breadboard and some parts and you are almost there ...

Regards,
JS

cmor wrote:

...
-Chris

Here is a link to 2 MMICs on ebay: (sorry, just had chit to do and was
slow to search)

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-HP-MMIC-S-MSA-...QQcmdZViewItem

An extra would be nice, in case a catastrophic mistake occurs while
constructing the device.

The data shows 0Hz to GHz, that should be wideband enough! :-)

Regards,
JS

Here is a link to 2 MMICs on ebay: (sorry, just had chit to do and was
slow to search)

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-HP-MMIC-S-MSA-...temZ3201939363...

An extra would be nice, in case a catastrophic mistake occurs while
constructing the device.

The data shows 0Hz to GHz, that should be wideband enough! :-)

Regards,
JS

I wish I saw those earlier, I picked up these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=005

A bit pricier as they came in a pack of 5, but it was all I could find
at the time. Hopefully they will work? I also ordered a breadboard
and all of the other parts as well. It ended up costing a small
fortune (with my income). Hopefully it pans out.

-Chris

cmor wrote:

...
A bit pricier as they came in a pack of 5, but it was all I could find
at the time. Hopefully they will work? I also ordered a breadboard
and all of the other parts as well. It ended up costing a small
fortune (with my income). Hopefully it pans out.

-Chris

Well, been there--where a dollar REALLY is a DOLLAR!

I am sure it will pan out, those are SMALL devices, make sure your small
soldering iron has a sharp tip!

I think you will like working with these devices. TV in my travel
trailer has a ant preamp I constructed using a similar device.
I have a preamp on a fm radio DLM antenna I constructed (88-108mc), I
kind of went crazy with 'em, for a period of time.

Becareful, they are voltage sensitive--don't exceed the rated B+, I
power mine off 3 AA cells, 4.5V with quite satisfactory performance.
Make sure you use the blocking cap between the MMIC and your front end,
one on the front end too--with a couple of spike protecting diodes to
protect the device is not a bad idea either--especially if the area you
are in is prone to lightening or there are high power xmitters in the
vicinity ...

Have any friends/family into electronics? Sell them the remaining
devices and get some of your investment back. devilish-grin

I have paid 3-5 dollars a device ... back a couple of decades they were
REALLY expensive.

Regards,
JS