Losing the signal when I attach this RF amp circuit and how can I correct it

amplifierradioRFtuner

I am trying to follow this circuit diagram:

enter image description here

Taken from (http://www.techlib.com/electronics/crystal.html)

Using two oscilloscopes I am watching the signal on the tuner circuit and the voltage created by the amplifier. First, before connecting the RF amp circuit, I adjust the tuner to ensure I am getting a good signal, then when I connect the positive terminal from the capacitor to the tuner circuit, the amplified signal does not appear to be modulating–I'm pretty sure it's not the proper signal.

My configuration is very slightly different:

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

I suspect that the RF amp circuit is affecting my tuning, but I don't know why and I don't know how to fix or compensate for this.

Best Answer

Your RF "amp" is loading the tuned circuit. When the gain pot is at Rmin you have a prospective voltage gain of maybe 100 but the input impedance could be only 500 ohm. So the mismatch is robbing your gain. When the gain pot is at Rmax, Zin goes up but gain is less than 2 anyway. This could be fixed by using a JFET like MPF102 or an emitter follower or tapping down the coil closer to ground.