Ramsey Electronics Ramsey 220 MHZ FM RECEIVER KIT Owners Manual

FR-220 • 21 
❒7. Turn the power ON. 
❒8. Turn R2 (Volume control) until you hear some noise. 
❒9. Adjust L4 for maximum noise in the speaker. 
 
Further alignment now consists of adjusting the oscillator coil L3 to 
permit the tuning control (R3) to cover the 5 MHz segment between 222 
and 227 MHz of primary interest to you.  
 
If you are a beginner with no license or other equipment, any Ham 
operator with a 220 MHz transceiver should be willing to give you the 
test signal and extra help that you...

FR-220 • 22 
The small 4 turn coils are stretched or compressed when receiving a 
weak signal. Typically the coils are spread to about 1/4 inch width. Make 
this adjustment only when receiving a constant weak signal, this simple 
tweak will significantly perk up your reception!     
 
RECEIVER SENSITIVITY   
 
Your FM receiver features sensitivity under 1 uv. Radio hams constantly 
marvel at how an FR220 displayed at hamfests tunes in dozens of 
hand-held QSOs on the premises- without an antenna...

FR-220 • 23 
 
(1) We wanted to stretch your battery budget:  with the LED drawing 
about 6 ma, how long will your battery last if you leave your receiver on 
for a few days, just like we leave our computers and Ham or computer 
accessories on all the time?  
(2) We thought youd have more fun planning and installing your own 
lamp that glows in the dark!   
(3) We could not decide which color you would like best!    
 
 
 
THE RAMSEY ELECTRONICS CASE, KNOB & HARDWARE 
OPTION   
 
Your finished receiver...

FR-220 • 24 
FR-6 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE   
 
The Ramsey FR-series FM receivers are among our most widely-used 
and popular kits. The circuit itself, assembly and use are cut-and-dried. 
If your receiver does not work, there is an error in assembly or defective 
part. Following is some help in case you experience difficulty.   
 
Problem: Receiver completely dead- no sound at all.  
❒Check the following:First, the cable or plug adapter leading to 
speaker or phones! 
❒Battery condition and battery wire...

FR-220 • 25 
Problem: Squelch does not function 
 
Re-check all connections and components associated with pins 10 
through 16 of  the MC3359. Check polarity of C27 and D2. C27 sets the 
time constant for the squelch circuit. 
 
SOME NOTES FOR ADVANCED USERS
   
 
Unlike Ramsey HF receivers and transmitters, the FR-series of VHF 
receivers do not offer much PC board space or real need for 
customization or other modifications. These receivers do what they are 
intended to do at the lowest price that we...

FR-220 • 26 
for fine tuning purposes only. Try reducing C12 to 1 or 2 pF for starters.   
 
Finally, the only pin of the MC3359 not used in our circuit is pin 15, for 
scan control. Perhaps you will come up with some fascinating idea for it!   
 
Again, please be sure that you understand your warranty, and that you  
understand your receiver and how to keep it working, before attempting 
any modifications.   
 
If youve enjoyed this kit, be sure to check out the entire Ramsey kit line. 
We have a whole...

FR-220 • 27 
The Ramsey Kit Warranty  
Please read carefully BEFORE calling or writing in about your kit. Most 
problems can be solved without contacting the factory. 
 Notice that this is not a fine print warranty. We want you to understand your rights and ours too! All 
Ramsey kits will work if assembled properly. The very fact that your kit includes this new manual is 
your assurance that a team of knowledgeable people have field-tested several copies of this kit 
straight from the Ramsey Inventory....

FR-220 • 28 
 
FR220 220 MHz FM Receiver Kit 
Quick Reference Page Guide 
 
I
ntroduction to the FR220 ..............  4 
Circuit Description ..........................  5 
Parts List ........................................  6 
Simplified Block Diagram ...............  8 
Parts Layout Diagram ....................  9 
FR220 Assembly Instructions ........  11 
Testing and Alignment ...................  21 
Enclosure Ideas .............................  24 
Troubleshooting Guide ..................  24...