Has anyone tried it. Came across a few links on the topic, seems fun.

73's
Richard, Warsaw

"Richard" wrote in message
...
Has anyone tried it. Came across a few links on the topic, seems fun.


It IS fun. But you need patience, and a good antenna. And
don't even THINK of selectivity. I ran mine through an audio
amp, and an Autek audio filter, but still broad as a barn. But
for a radio with 5 parts, you can't expect a Kenwood R5000!

I've built a number of crystal radios over the last few years, and really enjoy
the entire process, from winding coils to stringing up long wires and grounding
everything. I have DX'ed some decent hauls, though a set like that is not going
to be as selective as a more robust rig. I've made tuners and added stages in
some of my crystal sets to add some selectivity, and while this does tend to
reduce the level of the signal (to the point where real long-haul DXing is no
longer a reasonably reliable goal), when conditions permit nice DX, adding
extra stages of tuning and selectivity help a LOT. But you really need to like
tinkering, and fiddling with everything, to get the strongest, cleanest
reception. And have a very good ground!
But I find it's worth every bit of it!
Good luck-
Linus

Richard wrote:
Has anyone tried it. Came across a few links on the topic, seems fun.

I sure would appreciate some of your plans for making a shortwave crystal
set. Some coil dimensions, wire size and such. thanks.

I sure would appreciate some of your plans for making a shortwave crystal
set. Some coil dimensions, wire size and such. thanks.

Go he

www.midnightscience.com

It's the homepage of the Xtal Set Society, and they have numerous plans and
projects available, as well as books, kits and components (wire, variable
capacitors, etc.)
for making xtal sets. They also have a lot of great links for xtal set builders
and enthusiasts. An invaluable resource, and much more inclusive and helpful
for the beginner and the expert than I could possibly give you in this
newsgroup.
Have fun!
Linus

(GrtPmpkin32) wrote in message ...
I sure would appreciate some of your plans for making a shortwave crystal
set. Some coil dimensions, wire size and such. thanks.

Go he

www.midnightscience.com

It's the homepage of the Xtal Set Society, and they have numerous plans and
projects available, as well as books, kits and components (wire, variable
capacitors, etc.)
for making xtal sets. They also have a lot of great links for xtal set builders
and enthusiasts. An invaluable resource, and much more inclusive and helpful
for the beginner and the expert than I could possibly give you in this
newsgroup.
Have fun!
Linus

Hey, Linus, I do have a couple of questions for which you may know
answers -

(1) On crystal sets, is it better to use small-gauge enameled wire, or
larger gauge insulated wire for greater wrap spacing? On my sets, I
have used insulated large wire for spacing and ease of handling, and
they seme to work pretty well, but I wonder if the greater number of
wraps or closer spacing of the smaller wire would gain anything...?

(2) On the inductive secondary coil, which avoids a direct connection
to the antenna and also increases selectivity, is it better to have
that coil the same diameter as the main coil and make it fixed OR
moveable wrt to the main coil, or is it better for that secondary coil
to be smaller so it can slide within the larger main coil? I have
used the latter method with some success, but have not tried the
first.

Thanks, and wishing you much fun!
Bruce Jensen