On 28 Dec 2003 21:06:32 GMT, donutbandit wrote:

"Richard" wrote in
:

Although I have been interested an amateur radio for about 30 years,
I've never focused much attention on radios made with ICs.

Lately I have got an interest in FM receivers, and have discovered
some FM-related IC's/chipsets. ICs such as LA1177, LA1266, LM7000,
(these three being a chipset), and LA1235 etc etc.

But, doing a web search , you cannot find any homebrew AM/FM RX using
these IC's.

Why is this? I would have though they would be ideal for the hobbyist
to mess around with.



In the early 1970s, the electronics rags were loaded with IC projects.

The problem is that those ICs haven't been made since the early 1970s.

A tube never changes. I can buy a 6BA6 and buld the same RF amp that was
being built in the 1950s and 60s.

I can substitute a 6AU6 and it will still work.

I can use transistors and do the same thing.

An IC has internal "wiring" that is specific to it alone. If you can't get
that particular IC, you can't build the project.

Realistically, now-a-days, IC's are mostly "systems-on-a-chip", and
are usually custom-designed for a specific application; jelly-bean
analog chips (except perhaps OpAmps and linear voltage regulators) are
gradually fading from the scene.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.