On Thu, 10 Dec 2009, Scott Dorsey wrote:

In article , b wrote:
Thanks for the response. I found that site a few days ago, and was playing
around trying to get that circuit to work, until I noticed that there is no
DC path for collector current for Q1.

Hmm... you're right, that's really creepy. You think maybe base and collector
are swapped here?

I was thinking at first that maybe the base leakage did the trick, which
could be possible if it's a germanium type.

Also, there seems to be an issue with how L1 and L2 and the associated caps
are connected. I moved a few things around and got Q1 to work as an
oscillator and a superregen detector (I think), but have not built up the
audio and the switching circuits yet.
I'm still hoping to find some other examples of these cute little rigs.

I can send you a Lafayette one if I can find it. You're welcome to draw the
schematic out.

I think you're right, the circuits were so simple that there wasn't much
variation. Any schematic, I suspect they are in the RCA transistor guides
among other places) would make a good start for circuit tracing. You have
an end circuit to visualize and use the actual circuitry to "test" the
schematic, either it's going to match or be close.

Michael VE2BVW