On Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:38:12 -0600, "amdx" wrote:

First,
I'll rephrase what I think you meant to say, I am surprised about YOU
bemoaning the source material transformation loss of using a transformer
to connect their speaker to the Tank.

Why?

Even I worded that poorly, but are you suggesting I should not work for
1.5db?

Why start with a 1.5dB deficit when the Tank is already there to do
the work of matching at no loss?

Second,
Tapping down on the tank coil may not work as well as first thought.

You are going to have to explain that better, because what follows
doesn't.

You still have diode characteristics to overcome, and as you tap down the
voltage
also decreases. I throw this out not fully aware of how lower voltage, lower
impedance affects the diode characterists, but I know the characteristics
will
change with current.

Changed voltage / changed current = changed Z

That's why the Tank is also called a transformer. You could displace
that function into a secondary, lossy transformer, but the same thing
will happen insofar as your last complaint. In other words, you can
add more loss and get the same grief.

I"ll add the contest guru's that I have noted use high
impedance taps to the detector. Although depending on signal strength they
switch in diodes that better match the current the radio signal is
delivering.

Do they offer a case for fumbling through a selection of diodes? At
first blush, the best is going to be the best - hands down.

Still hyave concern about diode characteristics.

Name one characteristic that presents a concern.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC