I'll admit that the idea of a tube receiver is partly based on looks
than EMP survivalbility. (I managed to find eight wonderful old
headsets at a school sale. Bakelite earpieces and cloth wrapped wire!)
I thought it might give me more of a 50's era Cold War feel. I'm sure
I'm not the only one who likes using tubes as well! ;-)

As far as using solid state, I wouldn't be opposed to it, especially if
I could figure a way to shield the parts from EMP. The main reasons I
wanted to adapt a car's AM radio was because they're cheap (I know for
a fact there's one at the local resale shop) and have a certain amount
of shielding, plus they run on 12 volt DC. I've discovered they have
plans for a shortwave converter in another of the Impoverished Radio
Experimenter's books, so I might look into that. There is also a bit of
that post-apocalyptic feel of using "junk" to listen to the airwaves.

I'm seriously considering getting a ham license. So far, the only thing
holding me back is learning Morse code for CW.

Thanks to all who have posted with suggestions, advice and comments.


Ralph Glatt