#339

[@Ozymandiuus]

Finally, someone has found a way to explain how a superhet receiver works in such a way as to make it past my very narrow band IQ filter. Thank you!

[@michaelbarr6187]

The moving scope trace is the clearest way of explaining this I have ever seen. Thank you :)

[@petopeter4832]

Very nice sir! Best youtube learning electronics channel in my humble opinion.

[@rafaela.coutocabral8067]

this must be literally the best explanation for IF. thank you! The fact that you actually demo'd it on actual Radio + Osciloscop (or spectrum analyser - whatever it was) was really a bonus! thank you again!

[@Patrick-rd9qo]

One of the best explanations I've ever seen of a super-het -- I finally get it!

[@msgaltman3075]

I agree with all you other positive reviews; Probably the best explanation anywhere. I've watched a half dozen videos and read just as many articles and everyone of them either leaves something critical out, uses confusing wording, or just can't break it down the way you do. I'm thrilled to be subscribed to your channel! Thank you.

[@microreniassance2929]

Alan, I've spent the last 8 months immersing myself in tube radios, upgrading my license, etc and your videos have been extremely helpful. In some way you've answered most all of my questions. However, I was about to ask you for a video on heterodyning and you beat me to it! Very good video. I have done a fair amount of work on the Halli S 85 which uses the sum of Fn and Fo for most of the bands in the IF chain. I've learned that I can check the Fo+Fn by using my TinySA and almost touch the antenna to the 3 gang tuner LO section or the feed wire inside the chassis. There I can see a peak that represents the sum of the 2 frequencies and how close it is to the tuner dial, minus the IF. It's a great little gadget for troubleshooting tube radios, which is all I work on. So with 455Khz IF, most of the broadcast band, for example, will be higher freq than the IF so summing will be used, correct? Or, do some radios using a 455khz If use the Fn minus Fo? Also, so if I understand this right; in the S-85, the combined 455 and Fn are fed into the IF filters that allow only the 455 to pass through, however the 455 maintains the AM modulation (fingerprint) presented by Fn when the two freqs were combined in the mixer. My question is how does the modulation not get corrupted in the process of going from the Fn to the IF? Seems to me the fidelity of the original modulation would be reduced when going from a higher freq Fn, say 1.2Mhz (consider the freq a sort of sampling rate) when down converted to 455Khz? Just not noticeable? Or do I misunderstand this? Thanks for another great video.

[@w2aew]

As I said in the video, some radios use high side injection (local oscillator above the frequency of interest), and some use low-side. Most high-side injection schemes that I've seen use the difference between the local oscillator and input frequency. The whether high side or low side is used, or whether the sum or difference is used, will have no bearing on the modulation quality - there will just be spectral inversion in the case of F(lo)-F(in) schemes.

[@rickvia8435]

When I was 12 I fantasized over that DX-160. Excellent presentation of the frontend/ IF and IF filter waveform relationships.

[@w2aew]

Yep, I saved up my lawn-mowing earnings during one summer in the mid/late 70s to buy it, after lusting over it in the catalog and my local Radio Shack store...

[@microreniassance2929]

@@w2aew The 60s and 70s era radio shacks were engaging and thrilling with all of the technology and possibilities. Hard to adequately describe the effect.

[@w2aew]

@@microreniassance2929 Yes - I spent many hours in Radio Shack in the 70s - and poured through every page of the catalog each time a new one was published.

[@ki4dbk]

Thank you for this. It must feel great to have the best ham radio site on the KZbin -- Bravo!!! I knew this stuff as an extra class amateur, but this is a masterful review. If only my teachers could have had such love for science or been capable in communicating.

[@larcomj]

i am taking a new position as a satellite dsp subsystems engineer(this will be my first job in comms). I'm about to binge watch all of your videos....... =D

[@michveldvvid]

How much did you pay for college now you're using a free service to hopefully not look dumb in a new position. This world is a joke

[@jamescollier3]

@@michveldvvid college gives you a foundation. As a non- electrical engineer, I can understand this

[@michveldvvid]

@QueHubo Parcero going to college after 2010 is like buying a horse and carriage for a quarter million when KZbin is handing out lambos for free. I have an EE degree and I'm ashamed to admit how much it cost me

[@michveldvvid]

@QueHubo Parcero if you need help with your pre med coloring book homework feel free to message me

[@SopanKotbagi]

Can you please tell me what skills and qualifications you needed to get this job? I want such a job too. Would appreciate any gotcha's and tips.

[@teamtacoslick]

I always come back to this video for a refresher. Thanks!

[@HimanshuSharma-dm8ol]

Very nice explanation sir.

[@ovidiulu]

This great video should be in the standard lectures for Electronics Engineering! Thanks

[@phs125]

This video was perfect. I mean I already had the idea of how it works, but didn't encounter a video that perfectly explains it before. You can SEE all the stations with that oscilloscope thingy. If only this is how everyone explained it instead of complicated words and maths.

[@marinkusev5664]

Perfect! Thank you the job done! Simple and great!

[@avayaguru6679]

One of the best channels out there for radio stuff. Super clever guy!

[@darrellhagan6124]

Very good explanation & presentation Alan, thank you! I was already well familiar with all of these concepts but one never stops learning and I learned a couple of things. Bravo!

[@toddhowell2299]

I came to this video from your response to a written description on X. When I read it I was thinking, boy this would be really super if there was an illustration or animation of the flow of signals through the receiver. BAM, w2aew to the rescue!

[@toastrecon]

Dude. This is insane. I’ve struggled to understand this for years and you made it so clear.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Alan, Awesome video. Never heard the principal of a superhet receiver circuit explained in such an easy to follow manner. The traces really show the spacial inversion effect during tuning. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@stefflus08]

And just like that you showed me how IF works in one small drawing after struggling with it for years. Even all my three different amateur radio curriculum books failed to get through to me that the purpose of mixing with a changeable IF was to shift the product into a fixed filter. Thanks! (No, I have not taken the license yet. I demand of myself that I understand the topic before I take an exam, not just rehearse it from a book)

[@adastra123]

Thank you , I couldn't follow some of the other explanations on KZbin. But your explanation, especially the diagram at 5.35 or thereabouts is brilliant. My brain felt easy after your explanation. Thank you and God bless you.

[@omsingharjit]

wow Mind-blowing demonstration nice

[@ThiagoTurcatodoRego]

Very nice, with practical demonstrations! Thank you very much for the explanations!

[@maximus6884]

Love these basics on RF videos. Super exited. Today is a GOOD DAY.

[@npal379]

Amazing video for those who enjoy visual learning

[@jb3757]

I always get a good cozy feeling from your videos, which I almost never get with other videos no matter the subject, what's the secret?!

[@w2aew]

Hopefully it is a result of a good "signal to noise ratio" of the content, and gaining an understanding of a topic after viewing.

[@jb3757]

@@w2aew Haha that's exactly it, don't forget the nice voice and warm lighting as well. I hope you have endless success in every aspect of life. God bless

[@BersekViking]

The best explanation I've seen in my 30 years in the business!

[@linuxman0]

Nice video and that's a nice receiver too. I'm glad to see that you've kept it all these years and that it's still in such good condition.

[@whysguy3]

Best explanation of a superheterodyne I’ve seen yet. Great explanation of terminology. Thank you

[@dereklaur2154]

I wish my labs were this cool in college... amazing explanation

[@3ffrige]

OMG everything became crystal clear when you showed all of the stages on the spectrum analyzer!!

[@TheRenoir]

Thank you. Very interesting and well communicated. The scope view of each stage really helps to explain the process. Classic shortwave radio from the late 70s/early 80s.

[@cliveradvan3414]

This presentation would have been fantastic to have 40 years ago when i first got into radio receivers. Thanks for the great presentation that reminded of those great days of "wireless".

[@peterb8387]

Super set up and video. So illuminating in one video all those plots.

[@chrisabad6808]

A very good approach to intuitively understanding the dynamics of het reception!

[@w2tty]

I have never seen such a good description, and I have watched many. Thank you!

[@jpostma]

This was very helpful! Thank you :)

[@OffGrid_01]

This might be an old receiver but they knew how to build a good receiver back then. Thanks for the explanation as always its fun and interesting to learn from you.

[@Dwdanieldotdd]

I have that very same radio that I bought with my tobacco money in the early 70's (I started with the DX-150 and the next year added money to it and traded up for the DX-160 that had a FET front end that the 150 didn't have) Tootles... Wade

[@111000100101001]

Thank you so much, You have a real talent to teach something that most can’t seem to explain.

[@msmith2961]

Best explanation of the superhet I've ever seen or heard. You deserve that silver play button and many more to come.

[@birtonr.gilbertphotography9258]

Please keep making video's. I'm not a EE and your explanations are very easy for me to understand. Thank you.

[@kisssys5414]

Never did understand Super regenerative receiver in the Heathkit Twoer, my first ham rig. I love your presentations, I had some of this knowledge 40 years ago. W5SLW

[@doesstuffoutside]

Holy cow that was helpful. Thank you.

[@badermohsin316]

Incredible video and fine explanation 👍

[@jimmorrison2636]

A spectral picture paints a thousand words. Thanks for the excellent presentation. Gary VK6LX 73

[@TheDanyschannel]

As part of my microelectronics course, I had to build a superhet based radio using only transistors, diodes (including varactors), and passives. We didn't design anything, just did the math to determine the values for the components in each block of the signal path. Even after explanations, doing all the calculations, building, testing, and it actually working, I didn't fully understand what was going on. Until now that is. Fantastic video, super clear demo that just nails it. Keep up the fantastic content!

[@w2aew]

Really glad to hear that this video help flip on the light bulb!

[@Spinafication]

Recently I was able to purchase the same Sharp SW radio I was given by a Ham back in the mid 1970s when I was a young boy. First thing I did with the new radio was beat frequency the 40m Ham band with another AM radio so I could understand the strange sounds of someone talking. The things you learn along the way. :) Many thanks Alan.

[@Scooter110]

Thank you for your awesome explanation on how the superhet receiver works. I always had trouble understanding it. Until now.

[@gregorymccoy6797]

All smiles over here. That was great. I loved seeing the graphs as you tuned the LO to the strong signal. You are a gifted instructor, Sir.

[@coffeecuppepsi]

This is gold. Thank you for making these videos

[@jdmccorful]

Ditto! Enjoyed watching. Thanks.

[@Ronl53]

Thanks for the video. The way you showed what is happening on the scope really made it sink in for me. I have loved electronics since I was a kid but never had any formal education in it. I am retired now after a career in computer software development, mainly in the medical field. Now I am enjoying my Ham hobby and learning more about radio. I will look forward to your next video. 73 KF4UPI

[@yamakawa511]

Excellent visualisation of the fundamental concepts. This approach makes appreciation of what are otherwise rather abstract ideas very straightforward and easy to remember. Y

[@WPF465B]

Great video, just makes sense!

[@MickHealey]

My Dad was a radio-ham (G3TNO), but I never got into it. I knew that super-heterodyne receivers had a local oscillator and mixer, and even that the IF was used to get the audio out, so to speak. But, I never understood why such a complicated method would be used, until today. You gave a brilliant explanation, and demonstration. It seems so obvious now.

[@bragadeeskumarsk4419]

What happens to the input when the LO is turned down? Why is the main signal spectrum(in the top most) going away? It shouldn't right. It is indeed one of the best explanations of the concepts!

[@cornwallonline]

Excellent explanation, thank you! I've never quite grasped the functioning of a superhet before, despite many attempts to understand it!

[@TonyBarr99]

Best explanation ever! Something as ubiquitous as radio should not be such a mystery. It is not magic. Thank you for helping me to understand how it works!

[@richardcranium5839]

this with the spectrum analyzer display and explanation is pure gold!!!! i never had that type of equipment to play with it makes learning so much easier as many are visual learners not bookworms. thats probably why i veered away so many years ago to do other things.

[@Paul_VK3HN]

Excellent demonstration using the four spectrum spreads, I've never seen superheterodyne demonstrated in this way!

[@TheLightningStalker]

Isn't modern equipment nice

[@azav8raa]

Thanks Alan. You landed this video right on my birthday -- Awesome present! Headed to the bench with an old AM radio to replicate your super-het demo. Too cool.

[@AissaAzzaz]

This would be the gold standard explanation of the superheterodyne principal for all EE students all over the world

[@MrBIG4D]

Wow! I have never really understood the this process and I have wanted to forever. This makes it SO much clearer! Adding the last part to actually SEE the signals and se them move is the key! Excellent work and I can't thank you enough for this explanation!

[@danielkohwalter5481]

Your videos are one of the best ways to learn rf electronics. I love them. Thank you for posting them here for us.

[@dynotec1]

Probably the best representation of a superheterodyne out there. Thank you for the video and the show notes. I keep a hard copy of your notes in a folder because they are such a great reference for me.

[@saleemun8842]

You are such an amazing teacher. I wish I had you as my professor during my college. The visualization really helpful for learning RF and electronics.

[@tdumnxy]

Super-helpful! The more of your videos I watch, the better I actually understand the dry, few paragraphs in my amateur licence textbooks. This one is particularly good. I am building a simple DCR right now but hope to work my way up to building a Super-Het.

[@YU5KBM]

Man I would like to have you as a teacher :D thanks for the videos.

[@TheMadMagician87]

You really do a great job of explaining things in a clear and concise manner!

[@brianhind6149]

Alan: As usual , you have provided the most lucid description & explanation of a superhet I have seen anywhere. Bravo !

[@hemanandsamba7334]

If only this video was available a decade ago!! Would have made my life so much easier 🙂Thanks @w2aew

[@TechneMoira]

Excellent video as always. I know the theory, but, it's always a pleasure to see it explained in such a clear, concise and graphical way by a very knowledgeable coach

[@thryce82]

very nice. i work for a company that makes very high end transmitters and recievers. You would think they would have decent explanations for concepts such as this. nope... This is vastly more useful than the series of vids theyput out for their employees. Thanks for posting it

[@w2aew]

Be sure to pass this along to your fellow employees!

[@user-sb5vp3yu8m]

Thanks! I finally get it.

[@guillep2k]

As always, a great pleasure attending to your lessons!

[@discontinuity7526]

Super important topic, thank you for covering it!

[@airmann90]

I love your videos on specific electronics basics and advanced topics. When I see that notepad come out I know I'm about to learn something! Thank you!

[@saturn5tony]

That was excellent Alan. So interesting to see the spectrum analysis of the rf in, LO and 455khz signals and it's explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[@Thanson199415]

I like how he's using an antenna as a pointer 😁

[@patrickoneillnl1966]

Well done. Thank you for having the graphs ready ahead of time and showing the process in action on your receiver. I am studying for my HAM licence and seeking explanation for some concepts from videos such as your video. Thanks too for your insight on the oscillator (being the tuner) and moving the frequencies to the ones of interest. Once again, Well Done!!

[@wa2mo]

That was a great visual representation making the somewhat complex more understandable...Thanks 73

[@BrendaEM]

I am working on my Armature Extra, so your video was informative. Thank you. I am still not comfortable calculating image responses, but I am going to keep working on them.

[@dabdoube92]

Learned something, thanks

[@raulcrudele1]

You have impressed me, with all those probes punching the receiver. Thanks!

[@brianharper9798]

Nice DX160, think I bought mine maybe 35 year ago, I have the matching SP150. Still a nice little radio.

[@McTroyd]

And suddenly it makes sense how panadapters worked in the era before software defined radio! Thanks. 👍

[@W1RMD]

Good to see you making more videos. Thanks!

[@peterarmitage5357]

Brilliant work as always, always something new to learn, mixers are very interesting to understand and make, and to watch the final frequency arrive, the only problem these days are buying good quality components. Enjoy your videos very well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@bobdoritique7347]

Merci! Very important video for me.

[@HelmutTschemernjak]

Thank you so much, your videos are done with passion, it makes learning exciting and easy to understand. Regards from Hannover Germany.

[@macuser1232]

Hey Alan, just wanted to let you know we use your videos as additional material in my undergrad RF class in university. Keep up the great work :)

[@w2aew]

That is really great to hear! I hope the videos help a lot of students! What university is this? Do all the EE profs use my videos (they're more than welcome to!).

[@macuser1232]

@@w2aew Virginia Tech. There’s really only one strictly RF professor at the moment, but I believe another is on the way soon.

[@w2aew]

@@macuser1232 Oh, very nice! Believe it or not, I applied to VT in 1981, but didn't get in. I was #10 in my HS class. My Guidance Counselor was as surprised as I was, and told me that VT didn't take any out-of-state students that year. I was upset, VT was my first choice. Wound up getting my degree at NJIT instead. So ironic that my videos are now helping students there - awesome!

[@macuser1232]

@@w2aew well, it took me two tries as an in-state student! Did a year at NCSU engineering before I transferred. Also a VT alum who is also a fellow ham is doing great things at NJIT currently.

[@w2aew]

@@macuser1232 Yes, and I'm sure you're talking about Dr. Frissell.

[@jonahansen]

That was great! Thanks.

[@leozendo3500]

Omg this explation is 100000x better than the 80k college professor could

[@w2aew]

Thank you - be sure to share this with your fellow students, and maybe even your professor!

[@britel9103]

I always learn pretty much stuff from your videos! Thank youuuuuuuu!

[@00_002]

These videos teach me so much I almost want to make an offline database of them haha

[@bfx8185]

Nice old receiver and excellent explanation!

[@eng954]

Nice video. Pls. make another video for double and triple superheterodyne type receivers.

[@ChatGPT1111]

Well done. Great to see your videos popping up on the recommended list again. 73 de KI1Y

[@timthompson468]

Great demonstration. I learned this way back in my military training back in the early ‘80s, but I never had access to a spectrum analyzer to see it so clearly. One of the John F. Ryder books I picked up cheap on eBay is “Servicing Superheterodynes” from 1935. It’s got a good explanation, but it’s not as clear as yours. I always wondered where the word came from. Ryder says it is just another term for mixing and seems to use superheterodyne interchangeably with heterodyne. I always wondered was the “super” prefix added for an improved version of the heterodyne?. The roots of the words are hetero meaning different, and dyne meaning power, so I guess that makes sense since it mixes two different power signals, but I would think it would have had something referring to frequency since that’s more descriptive of its operation. 455 is one of those numbers I’ll always remember since it was the IF frequency in all the literature I encountered, but I was surprised to find there were a wide range of IFs in the Ryder book, but that was pre-WWII.

[@w2aew]

Heterodyne refers to the mixing of two frequencies to result in a desired frequency shift. First employed in audio demodulation. When it later got used a higher-than-audio frequencies (super-sonic), the "super" from supersonic got pre-pended to heterodyne. So, superhet simply refers to the heterodyne process applied to supersonic signals.

[@timthompson468]

@@w2aew Thanks for the clarification. That makes sense now (after 40 years of wondering). I’ve read quite a few books on the subject, but I’ve never run across the explanation as to where the “super” prefix originated. Thinking about it, that helps me understand where the alternate term “beating” is derived. I’ve heard that used, but it wasn’t until I started playing with audio frequency mixing and tuning in music synthesizers, where the beating can be heard, that it became more clear that beating is a good description of what’s going on in a mixer.