How they work - a brief explanation

A First Crystal Set for the Kid (in you) - a nice starter project using the Radio Shack Crystal Radio - no soldering required.  A good alternative to the Oatbox.

How about a low cost entry into this neat hobby?  Here is a series of radio  building projects using a minimum of low cost components, in which everything is 100 % recyclable for the next project.  Start with a simple oatbox radio and continue on to a set capable of real dx performance.

Here is a neat little tuned rf radio that needs no antenna, but really pulls them in.  Uses a single 3 lead IC.

    This is a nice little flexible one transistor set that lets you get away with cruddy phones, short antennas, non-critical construction, and a very few cheap parts.  I think this one is a great low-effort set for kids of all ages, and loads of fun for further experimenting.

        A simple (4 more parts) modification to the MK 484 receiver for real dx, and still no outside antenna.

If you're tired of trying to "tune" the Oatbox Radio , try modifying it to the Peanut Special   or the Peanut Special II .

If you need to add a little oomph to your crystal set, here is a very simple amplifier, using only 3 parts, a switch, and a battery clip.  I've incorporated it into a crystal set my students build and it is selectable between crystal detector mode and "triode" detector/amplifier mode.  I call the rig the Convertible Crystal Radio. (with pix)

    Add just two (yes two) parts and a little wire to the Convertible and you get the Superconvertible - from xtal set to a hot regenerative receiver with the flip of a switch.  Also shown is a straight regenerative receiver which is about as simple as it gets.   Then go look at an even simpler one , courtesy of WN6Q.

On a nostalgia trip?  Here is some stuff I have done with "Sliders" - slide coil tuning.

For those days when you're not hearing anything, or your antenna broke and you're reduced to a hank of wire strung around the room, you might try this RF Signal Booster in front of your crystal set.

Looking for a new design for the hobby class in the next dx contest, I came up with this single (?) tuned  xtal set.   It is my best effort yet for sensitivity and selectivity using one knob tuning, and is even good for dx without a separate antenna tuner. (but it's not what I ended up with for the contest)

    A mineral detector stand anyone can build; used this one in the listening contest.

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