Franklin Jennings wrote:
I apologise if this is not the proper group, and will greatly appreciate
direction to the proper one.

I would like to build the EconOceanic at
http://antiqueradio.org/econmain.htm but the plans call for a dual vari-cap
from an old superhet (using the RF section and Oscillator sections
seperately to tune through the five coil pairs.) But I cannot find this
vari-cap anywhere!



This is fine by me since I live five miles from WSB, the local blowtorch
transmitter siting at AM 750.


Alternatively, if someone can reccomend a different radio schematic that can
tune 5810, 5850, 9955, 9975, and 13615, that too would be appreciated.

(The above freqs are for EWTN broadcasts throughout the day and night.)

Hi,
I'm a crystal radio fanatic. First I'd recommend checking in with the
guys at http://www.midnightscience.com/rapntap/

I see two bigger problems than finding the cap. With WSB 5 miles away
you are going to literally be swamped with RF and may not be able to
hear much SW at all. Secondly, hearing ANY SW on a crystal set is kinda
hit and miss in the best of circumstances. The signal needs to be VERY
strong and remember that you'll have very little selectivity.

As for finding the cap...just find an old $2 plastic clock radio at a
yard sale or Goodwill store.

There's some guys on Rap-n-Tap who could probably get into more detail
about a xtal shortwave set. I built one once - with an audio amp - and
yes I heard some wispy traces of SW signals. Its anybody's guess what
frequency - or even what band - they were on.

I'd recommend building something like a 2-tube regen set - or even a one
tuber using something like a 6SN7 (dual triodes). On the same site
where you found the xtal plans I think he also has a 2-tube Doerle
receiver. Thats a good performer and if you're not into vintage tubes
thats where you can replace the two #30s with a 6SN7 or even 12AU7.
You'll find lots of these project on the web.

Good luck and see you over on R-n-T.

-Bill