Hello Fellows ...
I hope that this note finds everyone in good health and good cheer.
Today, on the normal weekday BellRingers QSO get together on 7.233
(at 9 AM Eastern time) we reminisced to some extent, about the crystal
radios of days gone by. And we also spoke of the "newer," more
selective and likely more sensitive "Battery-less crystal radios" of
today. I, for one, relished seeing some of the newer sets at
the Birmingham HamFest of 2004, and which were described by KE4ID and
Ed, WA4VSW.
During today's QSO, I mentioned that in 1994 I had built one for
my Grandson, John Teems, hoping that it might interest the six year old
boy in the "magic" of a battery-less radio. However, my daughter,
his mother, didn't appreciate the need for an antenna (as beautiful as
they are). So, for the time being, John's crystal radio resides
at my house.
I thought that I'd share a few pictures of it with you old guys
that may remember building and using them in the days of yore. I
tried using some of the building techniques of the old craftsman that I
remembered seeing.
The titles of the attached pictures should help identifying some
of the component highlights. One of which I am proud, is a chunk
of lead galena crystal I found in the mountains of North
Carolina. I have made several detectors from the chunk shown in
one of the pictures. With the exception of the variable broadcast
band tuning capacitor and the earphones, all the parts are home made.
I do hope that some of the attached pictures will bring back
fond memories.
Sincerest regards to all,
Dave, WA4PUB, BellRinger #135
Antenna and Detector Matching Coil Assy
