I'm new to this forum and I don't know if I'm in the right section, please correct me.
I'm retired and as a hobby I will build a multi-band radio using Arduino Uno, Si4735-A10 radio receiver IC plus other required components like audio, LCD screen etc. I understand the Si4735-A10 comes in several variation and I'm not sure which one to select. Can you suggest which one will be suitable for a multi-band radio?

Thank you

 

Can you tell us what bands you plan on listing to? I'm not sure on that specific chip, but there are some that cover 5MHz all the way to 2.0GHz which is a pretty big range. If you plan on listening to anything in that range, it may not matter which unit you get? So what bands, AM, FM, SSB, digital, etc. That may help others to help you. ;-)

 

Thanks for your time PadMasterson,

I do this project to learn electronics as a hobby and perhaps my selection of a multi-band radio is way out of my knowledge in this field but it will "push" me to learn more. After searching I have purchased "Si4730-D60-GMR, PL102BA-S V2.1" which the specs say it is AM/FM only but some threads say it is multi-band. As I understand this IC is mounted already in a board including everything it needs to function. At this stage it's not important to me if I have only AM/FM or multi-band since the main task is to learn electronics.

If I had purchased just the Si4730 chip I would have to mount it on a board including the required resistors, capacitors, crystal etc. and without any help I would have never being able to complete this work.

Right now I have all the parts I need to build the radio except the ...D60-GMR... which should arrive September-4.

Many thanks again

 

I don't know your level of electronics experience. However, I would always recommend starting off with a simple crystal radio circuit. It is quite amazing and satisfying to be able to pick up a MW-AM signal with just a long wire antenna, a proper ground, a germanium diode, and a high-impedance headset.

 

I used the part many years ago. That little square IC is a bitch to solder by hand. Get an evaluation board something like this. Now you can do the software. I think in the application notes there is software to make the LCD work and the buttons.

 

Thank you MrChips,

My first experience in electronics was in February 2025 when I bought an Elegoo kit and completed a 3 wheels robot. Besides the robot, the kit also had 22 lessons parts included building various gadgets which I found very interesting.

Regarding the crystal radio I remember I built one back in the 50's and now at first I was thinking to build one again but more "fancy" however I decided instead to get more involved and go for a multi-band radio.

Much appreciated

 

Thank you ronsimpson,

The part you posted is quite a nice board but I don't think is available today.

What I bought instead is in the attached picture. I don't know if it will do the job I want but at least is not expensive

 

What I bought instead

Good job. I think you can make it work. There are many application notes and example code from Silicon Labs.

I found the part very interesting. I did broadcast engineering for a while. I think in frequency like 100mhz. The engineers I worked with at Si Labs think in time. (10nS) It took too long to 1/X my thoughts. You don't need to know this but there are very interesting things happening in that IC. It is nothing like an analog radio.

 

Good job. I think you can make it work. There are many application notes and example code from Silicon Labs.

I found the part very interesting. I did broadcast engineering for a while. I think in frequency like 100mhz. The engineers I worked with at Si Labs think in time. (10nS) It took too long to 1/X my thoughts. You don't need to know this but there are very interesting things happening in that IC. It is nothing like an analog radio.

Very happy to hear this ronsimpson,

I have copy and study some of the application notes / code available and find them very helpfull.

 

Kurt, there is quite a bit of information available on-line about this IC chip. I'm now working on my third iteration using this chip. I found a lot of good information at Github.com (specifically, see https://github.com/pe0mgb/SI4735-Radio-ESP32-Touchscreen-Arduino) as this specific version uses a 2.8" TFT display (I wish I could find something even larger!). And to confirm, I'm using the Si4735-D60. It is small and difficult to hand solder. However I use the liquid solder and a heat gun to get it in place. Then I use a solder wick to remove the excess and to ensure their are no solder bridges.

Good luck to you. This is a great chip and does receive AM, FM, SW, and MW. With some programming mods, you can even get SSB.

 

liquid solder

Many thanks PapaDon for the tips,

I'm aware of the github site and the good information they have and have found two complete similar projects which I copied and study.

I know from pictures that the D60 is a small and probably difficult to solder so I bought a soldering kit for electronics and will have to practice to see what I can do. I know it will be difficult.

I was not aware of "liquid solder" but searching I understand a bit about this process which right know I don't see it good for me, perhaps later.

Many thanks

 

Kurt, there is quite a bit of information available on-line about this IC chip. I'm now working on my third iteration using this chip. I found a lot of good information at Github.com (specifically, see https://github.com/pe0mgb/SI4735-Radio-ESP32-Touchscreen-Arduino) as this specific version uses a 2.8" TFT display (I wish I could find something even larger!). And to confirm, I'm using the Si4735-D60. It is small and difficult to hand solder. However I use the liquid solder and a heat gun to get it in place. Then I use a solder wick to remove the excess and to ensure their are no solder bridges.

Good luck to you. This is a great chip and does receive AM, FM, SW, and MW. With some programming mods, you can even get SSB.

PapaDon,
I found a great touch screen which is I think is like 7" or so and it is HDMI and USB powered and works with a Pi, but it may work for your project as well. It was on Amazon and if I recall, about $35.00 US. I can look it up if you are interested, I got it about 2 years ago, but I'm sure they still have them or something like it. Let me know.