"SparkySKO" writes:

[Basically this says, are there any practical alternatives to an air
variable capacitor that a beginner can use in building his first
receiver radio?]
....[snip]....

For TWO BUCKS I bought a whole box full of cheapie "transistor radios"
from a church rummage sale a few weeks ago (most were about the size
of a man's wallet, but a few were about the size of a thick book), and

ALL OF THEM HAD AN AIR-VARIABLE TUNING CAPACITOR!

Don't fight a battle you don't need to fight; just tear up an old
"transistor radio"!

(Now the NEWER transistor radios -- the kind you buy at WalMart for
a buck each that have a "push to tune to the next station" button --
do NOT have air-variable capacitors, but the OLDER ones do!)

--
--Myron A. Calhoun, W0PBV.
Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, witness, jury, and cartridge
NRA Life Member and Rifle, Pistol, & Home Firearm Safety Certified Instructor
Certified Instructor for the Kansas Concealed-Carry Handgun license