simple blocking osc, function of capacitor?

[codesuidae]

blocking osc

I'm working with a simple blocking oscillator. It works, but I don't understand the function of one of the components. Here is the circuit:

              o------o
              |      |   
  o--o-----------)|  |
  |  |        |  )|  |
 --- R 1k     o--)|  |
 --- R           )|  -
  |  R     o--o--)| ---
  |  |   |/   |      |1.5v
  o--o---|    | LED  |
         |>   o-->|--o
     2N222 |         |
           o---------o

(edit, oops, I had the capacitor in question drawn in the wrong place!)

At the right of the diagram is a 0.01uF capacitor that is in parallel with the resistor to the base of the transistor. If this capacitor is not present the circuit does not work nearly as well, the LED lights, but not nearly as well. With the cap the LED lights nice and bright.

What is the function of the cap?

 

[A.Anand Srinivasan]

blocking osc

i'm not able to get a clear picture of the circuit you are describing but my idea is that the capacitor provide a short circuit path to the AC developed due to the inductor and hence provide positive feedback to the base of the transistor....

 

[codesuidae]

When I posted the question I drew the diagram incorrectly, the capacitor in question was not connected in parallel with the base resistor, as I described. Sorry about that, I've corrected the diagram.

However, I believe you are correct, the cap would enhance the feedback provided by the coil. Thanks!