Yeah galena xtals used to sell in wolworth dime stores for about a
dime way back when I was a kid. Doubt if you could find one
anywhere in the world at this late date. My first hombrew receiver
consisted of a large coil wound on a round oatmeal box, a galena
crystal as detector, an old pair of WW1 headsets that weighed about
10 lbs, and a homebrew slider on the coil so could peak the am
broadcast signals. First you had to use a needle point on the
galena crystal to find a hot spot where the signals produced the
max signal, and then you were all set to lay back and enjoy your
local Radio stations.
Kokomo Joe

Joseph Fenn wrote:
Yeah galena xtals used to sell in wolworth dime stores for about a
dime way back when I was a kid. Doubt if you could find one
anywhere in the world at this late date. My first hombrew receiver
consisted of a large coil wound on a round oatmeal box, a galena
crystal as detector, an old pair of WW1 headsets that weighed about
10 lbs, and a homebrew slider on the coil so could peak the am
broadcast signals. First you had to use a needle point on the
galena crystal to find a hot spot where the signals produced the
max signal, and then you were all set to lay back and enjoy your
local Radio stations.
Kokomo Joe


Thanks for your precisions. I have exactly all parts you have explained.
It's was made and used by my grandfather in 1920 and my father give it
to me recently.

I remember when I was ten years old, one day I discover this receiver
and we (with my father) deployed wire for antenna in the garden and used
it. It was for me fantastic to hear radio without energies from
batteries or anything else.
Now I have for children and I would like to use it again, perhaps the
older one will be as interested as I was.

I know we have lost the needle (to use your terms) and I used in the
past a copper wire to replace this part.
I think it's not the better choice and expect somebody to recommend me
what kind of metal I must use.

As I'm French I don't really know the exact technical English terms of
the different parts used in this receiver.
If necessary I can take some pictures to precise the model I have.

Once more, thanks for all responses.

Kris

snip

Just cut the point off a safety pin maybe aboue half inch long and
somehow braze or solder a wire to the pin. In fact though
it has to to gently press into the galena so a slight springiness
is required.
Joe

You can buy Galena crystals raw or mounted -- see URL:
http://www.midnightscience.com/catalog5.html

All the rest of the parts for a crystal set are there also

For the catwhisker (needle) they sell a Phospor Bronze Catswhisker

Main site is
http://www.midnightscience.com/




--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !






"Joseph Fenn" wrote in message
va.net...
Yeah galena xtals used to sell in wolworth dime stores for about a
dime way back when I was a kid. Doubt if you could find one
anywhere in the world at this late date. My first hombrew receiver
consisted of a large coil wound on a round oatmeal box, a galena
crystal as detector, an old pair of WW1 headsets that weighed about
10 lbs, and a homebrew slider on the coil so could peak the am
broadcast signals. First you had to use a needle point on the
galena crystal to find a hot spot where the signals produced the
max signal, and then you were all set to lay back and enjoy your
local Radio stations.
Kokomo Joe

Caveat Lector wrote:
You can buy Galena crystals raw or mounted -- see URL:
http://www.midnightscience.com/catalog5.html

All the rest of the parts for a crystal set are there also

For the catwhisker (needle) they sell a Phospor Bronze Catswhisker

Main site is
http://www.midnightscience.com/




Thanks for all of your responses.
I get know enough information to read and to on.

Kris