LM386 Audio Amplifier For Radio Projects

Make a simple LM386 audio amplifier that you can use with most radio related projects. I use it as a replacement for the high impedance headphones in any circuit, but not only.

I built mine in a temporary PVC case covered on the inside with aluminum foil. But I will build a proper aluminum enclosure soon. Another idea would be to build the amplifier in the same box with a speaker. This way you will have a tiny powered speaker that you could use in many of your future radio builds. For me is a simple way of simplifying a circuit, not having to build the audio amplifier part over and over in each circuit. Is a nice way to save parts, using the same audio amplifier for all the circuits you build.

Keep in mint that the audio filter on the input is just a simple Low Pass Filter, and not a proper CW filter. It does make CW sound a lit better, but do not expect miracles ( ha ). I tried keeping things as simple as possible using as little parts as possible, but still have a decent sound.

Paul ( M0BSW ) just reminded me in the comments about the LM386-4. This one has a 1W output power at 12v. So if you want a little more juice out of the LM386 audio amplifier, you may want to use that one. Here in Romania I had no luck, as all we seem to have in the online stores are the LM386 N or LM386 M.

Link to the blog article:
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https://dxexplorer.com/lm386-audio-amplifier

Wishing you all an amazing week and happy DX-ing... 73 DE YO6DXE !

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