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SET(E)
GRYSTAL
A complete radioAM receiver whichrequiresno batterypowerat all canbe
createdwitha fewcomponents. Theclassiccircuitof thewell-knowncrystal
canbe basedon a germanium
radioor crystalreceiver or
diodeas detector,
if youprefer,theoriginalgalenacrystal.
antennatuningcoil
Figure I showsthe classiccircuit.L1 is a proprietary
woundon a papertubeandCl is a matching (365to 500
variablecapacitor
canbe foundin old non-working
pF).Avariablecapacitor radios.
transistor
Youcanalsofindthediodein thesesetsanduseit forthisproiect.
Virtuallyany diodecan be used,and the onlyothercircuitcomponent is
capacitorC1,connected Theearphones
acrossthe output. must be a high-
impedance type (headphones).
groundconnection
aerialandgoodphysical
Anexternal good
is essentialfor
reception.
ThecircuitwilltuneAM bandradiostationsnotfarfromyourhome.
layoutis shownin Figurc2.
Component
wireon a f -inch
L1 is formedby 100turnsof No.22to 28 AWGenamelled ,
diameter papertube. t

PartsList - CrystalRadio
D1 - 1N34or anygermanium
diode
L1 - Coil- seetext

CV - 365to 500pFvariablecapacitor

C1 - 470pF ceramiccaPacitor
- High{mpedance
PHONE ohms)phone
(2,000to 10,000

2t2
 Prdcerl0 Gl'$|ds0r

Figure 1

Figure2

ldeasto Explore
Tolearnmoreaboutthecircuitor to getbetterperformance:
o Usean audioamplifier
to getbetterreception.
o Replace
thecoilby 100turnsof No.22lo 28 wireon a ferriterod.
SciencepQects:
o Thissetcanbe usedto demonstrate
howold-timeradioreceivers
Explainhowa galenadetector
operated. works.