Simple L and C Calculations
September 1947 QST

Although single capacitor, single inductor resonant tank circuits are not widely used these days, one place you do find them is in transistor amplifier stages in order to peak gain in a particular frequency band. In this 1947 QST article, Author Jack Najork offers a few pointers regarding the performing of quick mental calculations for how ranges of capacitance values affect the resonant frequency. For instance, the ratio of capacitance values needed to cover a certain range of resonant frequencies is equal (ideally) to the square root of the frequency ratio. This comes into play both when determining values during the design phase and the selecting of a variable capacitor for providing tuning over a continuous range of frequencies. The same is true for inductor selection, of course. BTW, the capacitance unit of μμfd is the same as what we today term pF.

A Useful Formula for Bandspread and Padder Problems

By Jack Najork, W2HNH

This article discusses a well-known but seldom-appreciated simple relationship between frequency and circuit capacitance. It has the advantage over many radio calculations in that it takes less time to work out the formula than it does to arrive at the answer by the "cut-and-try" method.

One of the most useful formulas, and at the same time one most neglected by hams who build or alter their own gear, is the simple mathematical relationship between a change in the frequency of a tuned circuit, such as indicated in Fig. 1, and the change in capacitance which causes it. Its most common application is in the determination of capacitance values in bandspread or other tuning-range problems in receivers or VFOs. It shows the frequency range that any variable condenser will cover or, conversely, the variable capacitance necessary to cover a desired frequency range.

The relationship is expressed by

In other words, it always takes a capacitance ratio of the square of the frequency ratio to cover the desired frequency range. If the frequency ratio, maximum to minimum, is 2 to 1, the required capacitance range to cover it is 4 to 1; if the frequency range is 3 to 1, the capacitance range must be 9 to 1, etc. And, of course, the converse is true - the frequency range that a variable condenser will cover is the square root of the capacitance ratio, i.e., a capacitance range of 4 to 1 produces a frequency change of 2 to 1. Example:

Desired frequency range - 3500 kc. to 4000 kc.

Minimum circuit capacitance - 30 μμfd.

Frequency ratio = 4000/3500 = 1.143

1.1432 = 1.3

 Therefore the capacitance change to tune over this band must be in the ratio of 1.3 to 1. Since the minimum circuit capacitance with the condenser set at zero is given as 30 μμfd., the maximum must be (1.3) (30) = 39 μμfd. The difference between maximum and minimum, 9 μμfd., is the required variation.

The formula can be twisted around, of course, to give any one of the desired values by substituting known values for the other three factors.

In all of the foregoing, C_min is the minimum circuit capacitance with the variable condenser set at zero, C_max the total circuit capacitance with the variable in full, f_max and f_min respectively the highest and lowest frequencies to which the circuit tunes and C_var the variation in capacitance in the tuning condenser. C_min, of course, includes any fixed capacitance that may be used in the circuit either for bandspread or to obtain a high-Q circuit such as in VFOs. Of course f_min and f_max, and C_min, C_max and C_var, should be in the same units, i.e., kc. or Mc. for f and μd. or μμfd. for C.

In practical application it should be recognized that the variation in capacitance that may be expected from a variable condenser is not the rated maximum capacitance shown in the catalogues; it is the difference between the condenser's maximum and minimum capacitance. A typical small 100-μμfd. variable may have a minimum capacitance of 10 μμfd. making the variation only 90 μμfd. This minimum as well as any capacitance introduced by mounting the condenser close to grounded metal must be included in the minimum circuit capacitance, C_min. This minimum circuit capacitance usually is the only factor that is not readily determined and since it may run as high as 50 to 75 μμfd. when capacitance coupling is used between tetrode or pentode stages, especially when the condenser is mounted close to the chassis, it isn't something that can be neglected entirely without introducing considerable error in the calculations. In many cases, however, it is possible to estimate the total minimum capacitance with an accuracy sufficient for the purpose. In the case of capacitance coupling between stages, the output capacitance of the driving tube and the input capacitance of the driven tube are in parallel with the tank coil and therefore form part of the minimum circuit capacitance. The values for any particular combination of tubes may be made up from the information given in tube manuals.¹ Variable-condenser minimum capacitances also are usually shown in the manufacturer's catalogue.

Mounting a midget-type condenser on metal in the usual manner introduces a stray capacitance between stator and ground equivalent to from 2 to 4 times the condenser's rated minimum capacitance. This must be added to the circuit minimum although it does not alter the amount of capacitance variation to any appreciable degree. Socket, wiring, and coil capacitances may add another 10 to 20 μμfd. If the circuit minimum is to be held down, the condenser in particular must be well spaced from grounded metal chassis and shields.

The inductance required to go with the condenser may be determined from the following formula:

where the frequency is in Mc., the capacitance in μμfd. and the inductance in μh. Coil dimensions to give the calculated inductance may be selected from published tables or the ARRL Lightning Calculator.

1  See p. 22, February, 1947. QST, for popular .audio-receiving-tube capacitances.

Posted May 4, 2022
(updated from original post on 7/11/2016)