The LO can be based on a PLL, on a direct-digital synthesis system (DDS), or some combination.
Like Jan said, often it isn't. In theory you could use varicaps in the front end that are matched to the ones in the PLL, and tune them with the VCO voltage. If that's done at all it's probably just in cheap AM radios.
The better radios would have switched bandpass filters, with the microprocessor being responsible for deciding when to switch in what filter.
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My liberal friends think I'm a conservative kook.
My conservative friends think I'm a liberal kook.
Why am I not happy that they have found common ground?
Tim Wescott, Communications, Control, Circuits & Software
http://www.wescottdesign.com
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