Crystal Radio

**Rick** · 12-28-2007, 10:52 AM

I was wondering if anyone owns or knows how to build a crystal radio? For those of you that homestead, it offers the ability to pick up news and weather forecasts without the use of electricity or batteries and they are pretty simple to build.

**Beo** · 12-28-2007, 11:03 AM

Never even heard of it, gotta look it up now.

**Rick** · 12-28-2007, 11:16 AM

The only thing you have to purchase is the diode, resistor and maybe the receiver if you want to be a bit more modern and don't have any of the older type receivers. I've built them using a Quaker Oats box and they do work.

Here's a link to a fox hole set they used in WWII:

http://bizarrelabs.com/foxhole.htm

Notice the safety pin and a razor blade.

Parts and kits:

http://peeblesoriginals.com/index.php

Here's a link to the diodes:

http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/index1/In34a.html#

Here's a link to a quaker oats crystal radio like those I've built.

http://www.crystalradio.net/beginners/index.shtml

**dilligaf2u2** · 12-28-2007, 03:58 PM

I used to have one when I was a kid. I always wondered where it went. I think it could be very useful not only to have one but to know I could build one.

Thanks for the links.

Don

**neondog** · 01-21-2010, 01:35 AM

I made one in '59 but I didn't use a diode, used a chunk of galena and a safety pin. You moved the point of the pin around on the galena to tune the radio.

Here's a list of other crystals that can be used. some work better than others.

It took some diggin' (pardon the pun) but I uncovered some crystals for well under the $100 everybody else was wanting. Granted these aren't as pretty as the high dollar rocks but they'd still work.

**Winnie** · 01-21-2010, 06:31 AM

My dad made me one when I was little, we had great fun with it.
I do have a question though. what bandwidth do these operate on? Over here, the analogue signals are being phased out in preference to digital and as far as I know only short-wave will be left. longwave has already gone, medium wave is difficult to pick up depending on where you are and FM will follow soon.

**crashdive123** · 01-21-2010, 08:56 AM

My dad and I built one when I was a kid.

**Ole WV Coot** · 01-21-2010, 11:17 AM

I guess a lot of us built them way back when and forgot how. Good idea, glad I almost thought of it.

**Rick** · 01-21-2010, 12:17 PM

I bought a handful of diodes a couple of years ago. I figured if I had to hit the road I could always slip one in the cuff of my pants or in the collar of my shirt. They are pretty small and you never know when you just might need it.

**hunter63** · 01-21-2010, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Winnie

My dad made me one when I was little, we had great fun with it.
I do have a question though. what bandwidth do these operate on? Over here, the analogue signals are being phased out in preference to digital and as far as I know only short-wave will be left. long wave has already gone, medium wave is difficult to pick up depending on where you are and FM will follow soon.

Good question, Real good question, I always only got AM when I got anything at all.
They work, but results weren't very reliable.
Obviously they will pick up only strong signals, but takes a lot of screwing around to get them to "work".
The definition of work I'm using here, "can hear stuff, don't bump".

Have to look for sure but I think I still have my crystal from my old
"Science Kits" I had when I was a kid.

**trax** · 01-21-2010, 01:14 PM

I made one when I was a kid from a kit one of my older brothers gave meand it picked up some pretty cool stuff. It was pretty easy to put together and set up