RF amplifier construction for an FM transmitter – the cheap way

Note: this content is from way back in 2005.

This is a crude but effective method of producing quick, one-off circuits. It works well for RF amplifiers that have pretty much the same basic layout and will provide a decent ground plane for RF circuits. Here I use double sided clad board using the 8w amplifier circuit

1.Cut pads on copper board

I used a sharp knife to cut lines in the copper to make the pads – check with a meter that pads are completely isolated

2. Drill ground plane

A decent ground plane is vital to prevent unwanted capacitance and inductance. I linked the top copper to the bottom to serve as the ground. Drill loads of holes for link wire to go through.

3.Solder ground plane

Solder all the links for the ground-plane. I covered the whole board with solder just to make it easier to work with

4. Populate

The transistor and capacitors should really be fitted last to avoid damage… like I didn’t do

5. Finished

That’ll do. Things don’t always have to look nice to work well, especially if you need it right now and you have no money :-)