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All of the circuits that I found for crystal radios have you connect it to a long wire for the antenna or to a cold water pipe for a ground. Is there any crystal radio circuits that don't need a long antenna?
Long antennas look messy.
No power, no amplification, just a germanium diode and headphones would be so much fun and portable too.
If you want to enjoy an early 1900's radio, I think you'd look really attractive and geeky dragging along a 20 to 100 foot wire on the ground. and don't forget to add a tuning circuit to choose your desired radio station, They used to scratch the old style crystal to tune them.you'd also need a really sensitive set of headphones. It will keep you occupied and out of trouble for a while.
Look inside your little pocket radio or desktop portable...you will find an antenna. Probably a ferrite bar wrapped with a lot of copper wire. This little wonder is what makes portable radios work, and you could 'borrow' one for your crystal set. They are somewhat directional, which is why you often have to turn your radio for best reception.
Ian can probably use one of Kate's fashion hats to conceal an antenna and face East so he can listen to the BBC. You may have to add some sort of amplification to do that Ian. Perhaps a Kite attached to that hat worn in a lightning storm might juice it up a bit. Ala Ben Franklin' experiments
If you have gutters on your house then you can use them as an antenna.
Sometimes you can use the telephone or electrical wiring in your house as an antenna.
But you need some type of antenna to make it work.
You can use a Cat Whisker detector.
Have a good day.
DonL
Ah, that was the term I could not remember. Cat Whisker detector. thanks Don