Crystal radio without an antenna

Ian Gills

Senior Robin Hood Guy

Messages

2,743

Reaction score

4

Points

0

Location

USA

• Jul 9, 2011

• #1

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.

 

Last edited: Jul 9, 2011

BobL43

DIY Senior Member

Messages

1,802

Reaction score

8

Points

38

Location

Long Island, NY

• Jul 9, 2011

• #2

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.

 

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

• 1 minute ago

• Add bookmark
• ##

 

Jimbo

Plumber

Messages

8,918

Reaction score

21

Points

0

Location

San Diego, CA

• Jul 10, 2011

• #3

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.

 

BobL43

DIY Senior Member

Messages

1,802

Reaction score

8

Points

38

Location

Long Island, NY

• Jul 10, 2011

• #4

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

 

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one

Messages

5,205

Reaction score

72

Points

48

Location

Houston, TX

• Jul 10, 2011

• #5

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

 

BobL43

DIY Senior Member

Messages

1,802

Reaction score

8

Points

38

Location

Long Island, NY

• Jul 10, 2011

• #6

Ah, that was the term I could not remember. Cat Whisker detector. thanks Don

 

Last edited: Jul 18, 2011