Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

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Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#1

Post by KD8DEY »

Been a while since I fooled around with them. Still have a few spools of magnet wire from Radio Shack, A pair of old Magnetic Headphones,
And a Cats whisker detector. Still need to get a suitable cap.
RF Parts & Peebles Originals both have one that should be suitable. Might order one next month.
(Need to make a new contact wirefor the detector, anybody play a stringed instrument(Same type of wire))
Is it just me, or does "Googling Yourself" just not sound right?..
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#2

Post by KD8DEY »

Found a couple Crystal Radio groups on Facebook to check out.
Been a while since I've been on The Radio Board
Is it just me, or does "Googling Yourself" just not sound right?..
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#3

Post by KD8DEY »

Broke down, and ordered the Capacitor from RF Parts. It was a couple bucks cheaper than Peebles, Plus since I had to pad the bill to reach $20, I threw a few different Galenia diodes, Including a couple gold bonded 1N270 to play with. Still haven't figured out what type of coil I want to try first, BUT since I have some magnet wire shoved in a drawer....
I have one of those cheap inductance meters off E-Bay to check the impedance with....
Is it just me, or does "Googling Yourself" just not sound right?..
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#4

Post by K9ase »

This sounds like it could turn into a fun group project.
"Life is hard;It's harder when you're stupid"
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#5

Post by KD8DEY »

K9ase wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 7:31 pm This sounds like it could turn into a fun group project.
Could be...Hu Knows..
Found some 18 AWG 100 foot spools of magnet wire on E-Bay, along with some cheap Ruskie D18 Diodes...
Capacitor & a few more diodes coming from RF Parts..

Should have just about all the parts coming. (Already have Magnetic Headphones & a Catswhisker)
still need to decide on the style of coil I wanna use, & what to mount it all on...
Maybe some of those old fashioned Fahenstock clips& a Vernier?....
Is it just me, or does "Googling Yourself" just not sound right?..
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#6

Post by W9FTV »

I made various crystal radios as a kid, with galena, germanium and a double edge razor blade.
The most amazing one was the foxhole radio with a double edged safety razor blade and pencil lead as a detector. A toilet paper roll wrapped with magnet wire, razor blade, graphite pencil point and high impedance (crystal?) earphone. Hearing a local radio station for the first time on that pile of crap (I was a skeptic at the tender age of 8) just blew me away. :Grin:

I'm in. Where do we start?
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. --Winston Churchill
Endeavor to persevere -- Chief Dan George
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#7

Post by KD8DEY »

W9FTV wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:41 pm I made various crystal radios as a kid, with galena, germanium and a double edge razor blade.
The most amazing one was the foxhole radio with a double edged safety razor blade and pencil lead as a detector. A toilet paper roll wrapped with magnet wire, razor blade, graphite pencil point and high impedance (crystal?) earphone. Hearing a local radio station for the first time on that pile of crap (I was a skeptic at the tender age of 8) just blew me away. :Grin:

I'm in. Where do we start?
Could start by posting ideas for your own design for a radio...
I'm thinking of a 3 coil inductively coupled set, BUT havent decided...
Then there are all those different types of coils to consider.
The standard "Oatmeal/Salt box/TP Roll" etc cylindrical
Basket weave
spider weave
diamond weave
etc etc etc
Detector type... galena, germanium etc
with or without using a voltage doubler circuit...
Transformer coupled audio transformer, Magnetic/crystal headphones....
Band of Interest... (Prefer Floyd myself)
so many variations/possibilities, so little money...
Is it just me, or does "Googling Yourself" just not sound right?..
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#8

Post by W9FTV »

At my stage of reintroduction into electronics, I need adult supervision. LOTS of adult supervision. I'd be less of a idea guy and more of a crash test dummy.
It's been 30+ years since I've done component level troubleshooting. :Rolling:
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. --Winston Churchill
Endeavor to persevere -- Chief Dan George
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#9

Post by KD8DEY »

W9FTV wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:57 pm At my stage of reintroduction into electronics, I need adult supervision. LOTS of adult supervision. I'd be less of a idea guy and more of a crash test dummy.
It's been 30+ years since I've done component level troubleshooting. :Rolling:
back when steak knives were an important removal tool??!!
Is it just me, or does "Googling Yourself" just not sound right?..
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Re: Thinking about getting back into crystal radio

#10

Post by W9FTV »

Bubbathegimp wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:05 pm
W9FTV wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2019 9:57 pm At my stage of reintroduction into electronics, I need adult supervision. LOTS of adult supervision. I'd be less of a idea guy and more of a crash test dummy.
It's been 30+ years since I've done component level troubleshooting. :Rolling:
back when steak knives were an important removal tool??!!
Steak knives were precision instruments we weren't allowed to touch. We got a hammer and chisel. :Rolling:
We did have some really cool tools though. Ever played with a "thumper" aka ballistic impulse generator? It generates a 25KV pulse used to blow apart high resistance cable faults in phone lines that'd otherwise be impossible to troubleshoot. Great for gopher problems, if you can catch the rotten little bastards noshing on the cable. Did some stuff with a Wheatstone bridge, too. I'd kill to have one of those to show off. :Grin:

We also owned the base phone system and all datacomms. Make of that what you will. :Bouaaaaah:
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. --Winston Churchill
Endeavor to persevere -- Chief Dan George
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