We Make Elenco WMSK200 Solder and FM Radio Kit Unboxing, Build, & Review

[@todderbert]

▶ The Elenco WMSK200 Solder/FM Radio Kit at Amazon USA: amzn.to/2JTMiyI ▶ The Elenco WMSK200 Solder/FM Radio Kit at Amazon CA: amzn.to/2SfNtIG (paid links) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you.

[@ewiem4351]

I bought one at a thrift store just to get the soldering iron. I don't need the radio but I'll probably build it some rainy day.

[@todderbert]

Nice find.

[@nor4277]

Throw out the lead free solder ,it takes a hotter soldering gun,plus I don't use that crap for so many reasons, use lead solder60/40 Kesters,is the best size .031.,I bought my kid a soldering sponge ,and the brass balls cleaning tips cleaner.it saves tips.if anyone buys the elenco kits they should always watch the todderbert videos,If I build any of these kits his videos are very helpful to any level builder.

[@flackshasdreams]

I have never done this before and I am confused

[@nor4277]

There are many videos on ebay on how to do what ever

[@glossophobias]

Same

[@nor4277]

I found a nice selection of screwdrivers at the 99cent only store,its a chain store.

[@camododragon5453]

Dude I just ordered mine off of Amazon and it's coming sep 12😁

[@todderbert]

use some 60/40 solder, the lead free solder can be tricky to work with since it has a higher melting point.

[@tonywright8294]

Why would anyone want to know when you ordered it ? Wanker

[@danielrine3103]

todderbert, I have always enjoyed your radio reviews, and the radios kits are also very educational and interesting to watch, keep up the great work, have a pleasant day....

[@todderbert]

Thank you Daniel. I will hopefully build some more radios in the future.

[@venom_a1930]

add the soldering process would of been perfect imo :)

[@mayushapatel3050]

Hey, my led did not glow.. what might me wrong? I can hear little buzzz noise when I turn it on.

[@MikinessAnalog]

An LED is a semiconductor device (meaning current only flows one direction), polarized. You may have installed it reversed.

[@Buglet720]

Great video. Great job of explaining the building experience.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Peter, it takes a lot of extra time to put one of these videos together.

[@nor4277]

I ran with your idea from the book ,I got the tools on the list ,and more ,I got a multi tip screwdriver,a flux pen ,lead solder too,next I will add a small long nose pliers.

[@todderbert]

Desolder braid is good too.

[@nor4277]

@@todderbert thank you sir I will include the soldering braid too.

[@todderbert]

Your welcome Ron. I hope you have fun building. I'm going to experiment with Arduino and Raspberry Pis again.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Well crafted and thoughtfully designed

[@todderbert]

Attention to detail and with the beginner in mind. It is a great way to enter the hobby of radio building.

[@britnydelp577]

About how long did this project take you to make?

[@todderbert]

About an Hour.

[@burkedetailedpaintingcompany]

Man!!! I just finished this build, thanks for your video. So i have a problem, everything was good at the first test point, where we short it by touching it with your finger. but at the end I was getting a lil noise/ reception, but i dont seem to be getting any stations. I am now going toinstall the other electrolytic. hopefully it helps. but any suggestions to help me troubleshoot?

[@todderbert]

This one is tricky, it doesn't have any audio unless it finds a station. Keep the radio by a window when doing a scan to see if it can pick up a signal.

[@heatherrodriguez1989]

How did you take out the c21 capacitator out because I made the same mistake as you?

[@todderbert]

I used some paste flux and desoldering braid to remove the solder from the capacitor's legs.

[@jasonbrown467]

why was this changing stations with out you touching the scan button

[@todderbert]

Tuned to a fixed frequency of my FM Transmitter that has an MP3 player playing royalty free music so I could demo the radio without worry of copyrights.

[@sokoloft3]

I built mine. However I cannot get stations in reliably like yours. Messing with the coil some I've gotten it to where if I hold the reset button. A station comes in decently clear. That's about it though. I had the coil in a position earlier where a station was coming in. However if I got close to the radio it'd cut out. Seems to pick up voices well but music seems too much for it.

[@maxmuster1150]

First diy fm radio kit I've ever seen. :) Good Job mate.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Tuto. I'm planning that AM/FM one soon. Just need to pace myself as these videos are bit more intensive. Usually taking two to three days to put together.

[@maxmuster1150]

todderbert Yeah but still they are the very best!

[@snaxsammy6472]

mine is not working and I dont understand why because it looks the same as yours

[@jasonbrown467]

we built this tonight, it may have taken about 3 hours total, but the youngster involved had never even knew what solder was before. when we were done building it, would could only get static. we were unsure how the "scan" and "reset" buttons work, we could only get static noise when he hit "reset" i hope to figure out if we made a mistake or is it just a weak receiver?

[@todderbert]

I would take it outside, should make a difference. I always hit reset then scan.

[@df29208]

How long does it take to complete the project for a teenager (and grown and greying adult) who has never soldered anything? I can almost see getting two of these and both of us going step by step, first him on his, then me on mine.

[@wasdjose3802]

are resistors polarized cause I was checking this guy's video comparing it to the Amazon picture already built and the resistors were in the same exact way Amazon had it but I was expecting it to be different positions in this video so that leaves me with a question are they actually polarized please someone answer?

[@braydenkenney3313]

A simple Google would've revealed the answer. Resistors are NOT polarized. They have the same resistance in both directions.

[@jjwallace1165]

Hi, Is there a way to modify the radio so it will scan the stations continuously without stopping on a station. thanks, Jay

[@tonywright8294]

NO it’s against the law

[@albertcarpentercats]

That one capacitor is use to make the gain more so you can hear it stonger.i do work on some radios so I know it.if this is using the 386 audio amp ic chip.to help you know more on some stuff.

[@MikeWong398]

great video man! really appreciate it

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome Mike, I built an Elenco AM kit and a Tecsun 2P3 AM radio Kit. That last one was my favorite. Turned out amazing.

[@MikeWong398]

todderbert yeah I just followed your link and bought the FM kit. But just the Radio because I already have a soldering iron. Looking forward to building this thing. Should arrive in a couple days. This will be my first soldering job. I'm practicing so I can modify my guitars on my own. Any beginner tips?

[@b.2221]

Top Notch Sir 👍 Tam.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Tam. Extra effort is made to do these kit reviews.

[@channel-dw7ei]

I already have silver bearing rosin core solder, will that work better??

[@todderbert]

I would use the lead/tin base. Lower melting temperature. Better for components. Silver is stronger for mechanical connections, such as battery terminals.

[@NexusARC]

My volume control doesn't work any advice? It just goes to a station

[@todderbert]

Someone else had a similar issue. They reflowed all of their solder joints and it work fine after.

[@nor4277]

I bought this kit for my son up comeing birthday ,I going to have him watch this video ,but I bought him solder lead solder ,lead free takes more heat ,to make it easy for him,and 25 watts iron the kit has I rather him use lead solder ,also I dont like lead free soldet.thanks for your video

[@todderbert]

He'll be fine, I used led solder for many years, I just avoid breathing in the fumes. They have some really cool filters that draw away the rosin smoke.

[@davidpayne4315]

Need to make a casing for it

[@channel-dw7ei]

Which one of your build kits would you recommend for a first build???

[@todderbert]

For a first time solder kit, The Elenco "Learn to Solder" one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqWulaR8qL6Xqas , for a Radio kit, the Tecsun 2P3, it is absolutely amazing for it's price: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2a3Xn6mo8mrqdU

[@junuh76]

I need help please..I have tried 2 different kits now and both times when it comes to the first test I dont get any power

[@todderbert]

Hello Jason, most likely your build is fine. Mine stayed absolutely silent till it found a station. Take it outside or near a window and scan, then keep tapping the button that accesses the found stations till you hear one. I thought mine was dead, but it was just the circuit finding blank frequencies which it does not release to the audio circuit.

[@junuh76]

@@todderbert I didn't complete the whole thing yet because according to the instructions the point I'm at in the build I should be able to hear at least a clicking noise but the red led is not lighting

[@todderbert]

@@junuh76 You may want to write Elenco. I do remember hearing mine make a clicking sound when I did that check stage. If you have a voltmeter you can check those positions mentioned in the manual. If you have kit building knowledge already then you understand the polarity direction of the LED and Diodes. I am also sure you checked all the troubleshooting tips in the guide.

[@junuh76]

@@todderbert ok thank you for your quick replies

[@junuh76]

I completed the build and although the led doesnt light up I am getting some crackling now but cant get a station to save my life. Could I possibly send you pics and maybe you can tell me right off if you see something I did wrong?

[@andrewvanallen4483]

My LED doesn't light up!

[@adeshization]

check the polarity on the led .... longer lead is + ,,,..... the flatenned side of the LED would be negative - ..

[@samsobel3053]

hey thanks for making this video. i hear a faint static sounds (certainly not clicking) when i put my finger on the potentiometer. is that ok? I'm currently at the end where I'm testing FM signals, but I'm unsure how to adjust the volume control. Please help

[@todderbert]

I have not built this kit in awhile, but it takes some patience with the tuning controls. Move the volume knob to the middle position and start your normal scans.

[@samsobel3053]

lol i didnt realize what the volume knob was. thanks. im getting static and can sometimes faintly hear a radio station underneath the static. some of the holes aren't completely filled with solder (though enough to hold the components in place). does it need to be?

[@todderbert]

@@samsobel3053 I would have to see clear closeup pictures of your work to judge, but there should be no visible area between the components legs and the PCB pad.

[@samsobel3053]

@@todderbert i sealed everything. still having the same problem.

[@samsobel3053]

could it be from not having a screwdriver to make the antenna be as tight against the pc board as possible? i used my fingers to get it to be taught enough to stay attached so it hangs a few mm away from the board

[@nor4277]

The tip on the soldering pen looks like my Weller and that tip sho UK ld only be finger tight I got this kit for my son .did it say how many watts ,it should be 35 to 40 watts .l[k like a nice kit except lead free dolder,I bought my kid some kester 60/40 lead solder I throw out that lead free crap ,it needs more heat and the solder joints suck.solder should be 8 mil or .031 diameter,buy good desoldering braid ,the best one I have found and a lot of techs use a brand called chem- tonics that stuff has built in flux ,it worth every penny ebay or Aliexspress. I like the wider stuff I got a ebay 50' feet for 18.00

[@nor4277]

Of you can find tips for that soldering pen let me no anyone

[@TheRadiogeek]

It looks like a very nice kit for the beginner. I like the detail of the manual. Did you clean the PCB after soldering? I don't see any flux residue on the board. Nice job! 👍

[@todderbert]

Thank you TRG! There was some flux, but it was very clear. This an awesome kit for the beginner, and under $20, that is the best part. Everything is quality too.

[@ArndroidInc]

As always you doing a very comprehensive video. Not a fan of kits.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Arnold, it is fun to make these kits and produce a video at the same time.