Best Radio Kits to Buy Online in 2021 Professional Review

Hi guys! Restoring and repairing vintage audio equipment have been my passion for years. You probably read about it here. Now I feel quite strongly that radio kits, doesn’t matter the type, are one of the best and the easiest ways to get the understanding of electronics circuitry, and gain experience in a field. And don’t forget that you are not only going to have fun assembling the kit, but you will have a reliable and unique radio station.

Tips:

Almost each radio kit requires lots of soldering. Of course, we all have our own methods, approaches and ways of building the projects. I would like to share one of mine: I prefer to start with easy and light components (capacitors and resistors, for instance), then I proceed with bigger and larger components and solder semiconductors at the last moment. And mind, that there’s no need to apply too much heat to any of the components as they are extremely fragile and can be damaged pretty easily.

Searching for the proper radio kit can be a daunting task, but there’s a chance to avoid all the hassle! I’m going to help you not to get lost in the universe of radio kits. Here is the review of my 7 Best Radio Kits to Buy Online. I do hope that it will help you to find a good product. Let’s get started with the list!

7 Best Radio Kits To Buy Online in 2021 Review

Image	Product
Best Choice	Elenco FM Radio Kit FM88K Soldering required Batteries: 1-9V For ages 13 and Up Check Price	Check Price
Easy	VOGURTIME AM/FM Radio Kit With DIY teaching soldering electronic accessories Finished size: 12 x 8 x 5.5 cm (The antenna is 30 cm) 2 AA batteries are needed Check Price	Check Price
Great for STEM	Elenco AM/FM Radio Kit For Intermediate Users Batteries: 1-9V For ages 13 and Up Check Price	Check Price
With Tools	Elenco WEmake FM Radio Kit Searches for signals in the 88-108 MHz range Powered by a 9V battery For ages 12 and Up Check Price	Check Price
Challenging Kit	AIMELIAE AM/FM Radio Kit For intermediate/advanced level Radio case included A detailed assembly instruction is included Check Price	Check Price
Training course	Elenco AM Radio Kit AM Radio kit and training course - 7 Transistors and 2 Diodes Batteries: 1-9V For ages 12 and Up Check Price	Check Price
Best for enthusiasts	Tecsun 2P3 AM Radio Receiver Kit Step-by-step Guide included Great for learning and education Power supply: 2 x AA size battery Check Price	Check Price

1. Elenco FM Radio Kit – Best Beginners’ radio kit

Elenco is one of the well-known manufacturers of innovative toys and educational do-it-yourself kits. Buying this FM Radio Kit by Elenco you can be assured that you are getting high-quality product with variety of electronic components.

This kit if for those who want to understand the basics of working with printed circuits board, improve his soldering skills and, as an end result, assemble your own monophonic FM receiver. The radio is designed to receive signals in the frequency range from 88 to 108 MHz. To search for FM stations the radio uses electronic auto-scan with two button switches: one is to scan, the other one is to reset to the start of the tuning position.

The kit comes with SMT IC is already pre-soldered, and it is suitable for beginners: it’s a perfect way to learn about basics of electronics, identification of components and basic soldering skills.

Note: It could be a great gift for a beginner: absolutely perfect introduction to soldering

2. AM/FM Radio Kit Soldering Project Kit – Easy to Build Radio Kit

If you want to practice not only your soldering but skills needed in electronics, go for this kit! You will learn how to work with various components and have a working AM/FM radio as a nice bonus. This simple and practical kid is beginners’ friendly as the size of the solder pads and components are easy to use and place together. The kit comes with already pre-soldered SMT IC, it’s really very handy as a beginner could possibly burn the chip if he doesn’t have enough soldering experience.

Note: If you are a brand new to soldering, make sure you have a complete assembly instruction from the manufacturer (not just one-page instruction coming with the kit): manual with pictures and instruction on step-by-step soldering. And you also need to have your own tools (soldering iron, wire cutters, and a small screw driver too).

3. Elenco AM/FM Radio Kit – Great STEM Project for intermediate users

Basically, this kit is a practical electronics training course divided into 9 different lessons, including Audio Amp, AM Detector, AM IF, AM Amp, AM Mixer & Oscillator, FM Detector, 2 x FM IF, FM RF Stages. It means that you will not only be able to create your own AM-FM receivers and amplifiers, but to learn about AM and FM radio technology and all the accessories and components required to assemble your projects.

I would highly recommend this kit! If you are interested in electronics and would like to improve your knowledge, say YES to this project! You are going to learn how to use lots of tools and equipment: frequency generator, testing tools, oscilloscope and more. And you can start from any section you like. For instance, you can assembly FM section and go to AM after.

Note: Assembling requires good soldering technique, and a 60-watt soldering iron would be appropriate for all soldering. A copper circuitry on the PC board is rather delicate and could be damaged easily. Be careful not to break a soldered connection.

And one more: Don’t throw away the cards coming with all resistors and small capacitors as all reference numbers and their values are stated there! Make sure you keep them!

4. Elenco WEmake FM Radio kit – DIY Soldering Kit with Tools

If you have some experience in soldering but don’t have any soldering tools, go for this kit! It comes with 25W soldering iron with stand, wire cutters, safely glasses, and lead-free solder – basic tools to work with. The kit includes everything you might need to assemble a primitive FM radio.

The kit is designed for those who has at least some experience in soldering and building similar projects. It might be challenging for a beginner to make a proper soldering of some components.

I would highly recommend it! Could be a nice gift!

5. AIMELIAE AM/FM Radio Kit – Challenging Kit for intermediate/advanced level

Building this kit requires some basic knowledge in electronics as you need to identify all the components included in the kit. However, it’s a good quality AM/FM radio, and you would be able to find lots of stations with it. Make a note, that PCB come with components values printed on it.

A detailed assembly instruction is included; however, it’s good if you understand electronic schemes the manufacturer advises to search either in YouTube or Google for more information in case this instruction is either not enough or not clear enough.

6. Elenco AM Radio Kit – Good project and training course build your own radio kit for adults

This kit includes not only AM radio project, but a training course as well. The training course has 5 lessons: Audio Amplifier, Detector, IF Amplifier, Oscillator, and Mixer. These lessons will help you to understand the basics of electronics and solder techniques too.

The kit comes with 7 transistors and 2 diodes, and radio mounting stand is part of the kit too. It features two audio amplifier circuits, an earphone jack (earpiece included). It also comes with solder, but I prefer to use 60/40 one.

I would recommend it for those who have some experience in soldering and electronics. Though soldering surface is big enough, I don’t consider this kit to be beginners’ kit. It might be a great DIY training kit to understand inner workings of a traditional receiver.

7. Tecsun 2P3 AM Radio Receiver Kit – Best DIY kits for enthusiasts

This 2P3 AM Radio Receiver Kit by Tescun gives you a chance to build a high-quality AM radio. And as the case is included, after the assembly is done, you will have your own unique item – a real radio! The kit comes with all electronic components required: capacitors, radio knobs, diodes, speaker wires, screws and nuts, filters, transistors, resistors, and circuit broad. Note that this kit doesn’t have soldering tools, so need to have your own equipment.

Very detailed and easy to read step-by-step instructions make it possible even for beginners to assemble a perfect small AM radio. The kit will teach you the basics of the whole process. I highly recommend the kit as all the components are of a perfect quality and all the parts fit together very well. All in all, this is a great project. You won’t regret buying it!

Best Radio Kits to Buy Online: Buyers’ Guide

1. Configuration of a Kit

If you are going to buy your first kit, and you don’t have any tools yet, it might be better to buy the whole set, including a soldering iron with stand, wire cutters, safely glasses, cleaning sponge, and lead-free solder.

In case you are an experience hobbyist, I bet you have already had a good stuff (basic tools) to work with. Just check the configuration of a kit you plan to get and avoid those with a soldering iron and other soldering accessories you might never use.

2. Difficulty level

All the radio kits are divided according to the level of difficulty: beginners, intermediate and advanced. The only thing you need to do is to check the level stated by the manufacturer and buy the kit being in line with your level of expertise.

Well, don’t get me wrong. Of course, if you, being an experienced hobbyist, come across a very simple radio kit (for beginners, for instance) and you like it very much, it doesn’t mean that you should not buy it. Just do it! However, if you are a newbie in the soldering and radio electronics and you see a great kit for advanced users, just think before buying it. Maybe you are going to keep it for a while and do it later. Or maybe you can get a hand from an experienced friend and do it together. It’s up to you, just make sure you know what you are buying.

3. Quality of the compartments

If you plan to have an item you are going to use later, try to find a kit made by a reliable manufacturer. You can either read the reviews or ask your friends/hobbyists in various forums about their favorite brands.

Radio Kits to Build: FAQ

I don’t have a soldering iron yet. Can I buy a complete set with a soldering iron and other tools?

Yes, you can. However, majority of the kits come without the soldering iron. Check the configuration before buying. Note that compete sets are more expensive than those without tools.

I want to assemble my own FM radio, but I’ve never even been close to soldering yet. What shall I start with?

The best way to do is to start with the simplest soldering kit and have some practice with the soldering. Once you feel that you have enough skills to do the project, go for the radio kit. As most of the radio kits require soldering of the components, you won’t be able to avoid it.

How many components are there in the standard kit for beginners?

From 12 to 24.

My kid is 7 years old, and he is showing a great interest in soldering. Are radio kits a good option to start with?

Of course, radio kits are doable, and you can start with them, moreover, your kid would get a practical idea what is it all about: his own hand-made AM-FM radio. However, having said that, the any radio project should be accomplished under your supervision. I would recommend 8-9-10 years to start with, but everything depends on the skills and abilities of your kid. Let him watch and help you at the start and you will see how it goes, if and when he is ready to do a radio project without any supervision.

Do all radio kits come with earpiece?

No, they are not. Check the configuration before buying.

Conclusion

Take your time, evaluate your level of expertise and choose a right radio kit to build. Don’t start with the most complicated ones: I don’t want you to get frustrated and throw everything in the bin after couple of bad attempts to assemble it. Be reasonable and think about enjoying what you are doing. I do hope this review was helpful. Make a right choice and have fun!