I've constructed the Coolidge theremin, with many substitutions in transistors and I made the air coils from the RS Theremin for the loopsticks. I can tune it and play it over my AM radio (which is how it's supposed to be played) but it's really really quiet - it barely comes over the noise of the set. I tried it on a different radio and had similar results.
It's not all mounted in a box yet, because I (foolishly) thought I was going to use a metal cookie tin - it looks great but it causes instability. The leads to my coils are still too long, and it's all bread-boarded, not soldered yet. Could these things affect the signal strength, or whatever makes a theremin quiet?
If anyone has any hints for a novice as to how I might improve the performance of my theremin, they would be hugely appreciated.
Regards,
Johnny
Thanks!
It's not all mounted in a box yet, because I (foolishly) thought I was going to use a metal cookie tin - it looks great but it causes instability. The leads to my coils are still too long, and it's all bread-boarded, not soldered yet. Could these things affect the signal strength, or whatever makes a theremin quiet?
If anyone has any hints for a novice as to how I might improve the performance of my theremin, they would be hugely appreciated.
Regards,
Johnny
Thanks!