Build a Crystal Radio - Needed Parts & Where to Find Them

[relativelyslow]

has anyone here ever built a crystal radio? what parts would i need and where can i get them? in the physics forum they said one could be constructed to run off the radio waves themselves, which is the kind i would like to build. thanks

 

[chroot]

As we said in the other thread, go to RadioShack and buy a kit. They probably cost about $10.

- Warren

 

[chroot]

http://support.radioshack.com/productinfo/DocumentResults.asp?sku_id=28-178&Name=Electronic%20Labs%20and%20Kits&Reuse=N#

- Warren

 

[BoulderHead]

has anyone here ever built a crystal radio?

You betcha!

what parts would i need and where can i get them?

Antenna, coil, capacitor, diode, high impedance earphones. As a scrounger, the earphones are probably the hardest part to come by. The rest can come from any number of sources such as a broken radio or other suitable device contain electronic parts. The wire could come from a small electric motor (the type found in many toys, for example). There are many links available by performing a Google search and here are a few;


http://www.thebest.net/wuggy/rs99fun.htm

http://www.crystalrad.com/directory.htm

http://www.schmarder.com/radios/crystal/

Good luck, and most of all have fun!

 

[relativelyslow]

nice. thanks for the links. that should help little at least. i did, in fact, check radio shack, but to no avail. so those are the only five components i need, other than mounting board or whatever?

 

[relativelyslow]

id only like to buy things online as a last resort. it be better if i could find things around my house or in a store. i have electrical parts in my house.

 

[Averagesupernova]

You can do it with even fewer parts and COMPLETELY homemade except the earphones. No diode or capacitor, just some hardware that you can come up with in a plain old hardware store. Do this:

Search for "foxhole radio" on google. You will be amazed.

 

[Shane]

These are also good sites for homemade crystal radios:

http://www.scitoys.com/scitoys/scitoys/radio/radio.html

http://home.houston.rr.com/molerat/foxhole.htm

 

[relativelyslow]

hmmm. maybe ill try a foxhole after the crystal. my friend already got the wire and diodes so we should be set. ill let you know how it comes out.

 

[Flauxed]

here are some info and parts sites..

http://www.crystalradio.net

http://www.midnightscience.com

good parts sight.
http://www.xtalman.com also known as Borden Radio really good stuff and quick curtious service

one site mentioned earlier. crystalrad.com... i would not recommend in general, unless you want to take your chances.. received wrong items.. legs fell off, i was generally unhappy not receiving items and getting the run around and no replys as a repete customer. the detector stands are nice looking and traditional,,but some of the parts were sort of lose and i had to tighten them up with a thin layer of solder and shave it down till the slide and ball maintained consistant connection..others were ok.. i like the way they look, but legs fell of stands bad glue, i screwed mine on.. but they do have the absolute best detector crystals. and their bolt and blade switch parts are nice and a good price. he has some really unique pieces and kits. he was not very responsive to me.i don't know what his problem was..

crystal radios will teach you a lot.. i build tuned loop antennas for them..

they are very iteresting.. the curcuitry is faciating.. you can hook the parts up many different ways .. have fun