Build a crystal radio for y2k?

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One thing I bought for my y2k preps was a crystal radio. It can tune in AM (and some shortwave) radio signals and requires no batteries. The downside is that it has a very short range. >25 miles if my porous memory serves. But its much less expensive then one of the baygen hand-cranked radios ($10 for the kit at Radio Shack). What do you all think?

-- John Ainsworth (ainsje@cstone.net), September 27, 1999

Answers

I think you need a real radio that will pull in distant AM stations as well as shortwave broadcasts. A BayGen or similar radio, solar powered, with a crank handle also, will be well worth the money if things get really bad.

-- cody (cody@y2ksurvive.com), September 27, 1999.

I agree Cody, I live on a ridge and you would think the reception would be great...it isn't! I get excellent reception with the BayGen.

-- turn your radio on (turnyourradioon@turnyourradioon.xcom), September 27, 1999.

A good crystal radio is a good start. I recommend the Radio Shack model you have, as opposed to the one sold to homeschooling associations. (ferrite core antenna coils beat air core historically accurate ones)

Use a LONG antenna...but FAR more important is a good Ground. Either use a cold water pipe, or if you have pvc, you can use the ground lug on a three prong wall outlet (remember, the power will be off, else why would you use a crystal set??



-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), September 27, 1999.


I had a crystal radio many, many years ago. Built one as a kid. With a good antenna in a high area and a good ground, you'd be surprised at the range you can get -- at night. This was in the days of the coil being enameled (insulated) copper wire wrapped around an oatmeal can (tubular cardboard) and you had to poke around on an actual crystal with a needle to find a sensitive spot. (Nowadays we know that it is just diode (rectifying) action, and about any diode would do, I would imagine. Maybe gernmanium would be better (if they still make those) rather than silicon.

This was back in the days when radio technology was accessible to the average person, not "magic" as it is now.

-- A (A@AisA.com), September 28, 1999.


Some crystal radio links if yer interested. Crystal Radio Resources

And a really cool link, how to build a crystal radio out of a razorblade! foxhole radio

-- John Ainsworth (ainsje@cstone.net), September 28, 1999.



John: Cool!

-- A (A@AisA.com), September 28, 1999.

Somewhat over 40 years ago, I built one of these. It did work, and at distances greater by far than 10 miles. It wouldn't be a bad idea to try your hand at building one...or get one for the kids as a Christmas project. They would learn something from building it...as well as having a potentially valuable resource.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), September 28, 1999.

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