Poundland Radio Mod

The SC1088 integrated circuit (IC), has a mute function which automatically activates when the signal is too weak. This of course will not do as many engineers like to receive distant radio waves that might be weak.

In this modification, we can disable this function so that we can listen to weak signals. A 0.1 µF capacitor at pin 1 enables the mute circuit, and removing this capacitor will disable it.

I must have spent a large percentage of my youth playing with radio circuits making them do things they were not supposed to.

Hacking a Radio

This animation shows the 0.1 µF capacitor at pin 1 of the radio chip. By removing this capacitor, I was able to listen to very weak distant signals. It was great fun experimenting to see if I could receive distant FM broadcasts using a larger aerial.

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