• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Antique AM Receiver Question

A

A#1

Guest
In an earlier thread today I asked a question about a miniscule little radio receiver I had back in the 50's and my question probably got lost in the shuffle because the topic encompassed a number of different things, but I'd appreciate any help on this question. I had a small receiver that consisted of an earphone and a wire with an alligator clip attachment. I would connect the clip to a metal switch on a lamp, for instance, and sure enough a faint AM transmission would emit from the small earphone. I don't know if it worked on static electricity or what? You didn't plug it in a receptacle and the dang thing didn't use batteries. I'd like to find one of those things to show my grandkids and introduce them to the world AM broadcasting...while it still exists. Any ideas, anyone?
 
A#1 said:
In an earlier thread today I asked a question about a miniscule little radio receiver I had back in the 50's and my question probably got lost in the shuffle because the topic encompassed a number of different things, but I'd appreciate any help on this question. I had a small receiver that consisted of an earphone and a wire with an alligator clip attachment. I would connect the clip to a metal switch on a lamp, for instance, and sure enough a faint AM transmission would emit from the small earphone. I don't know if it worked on static electricity or what? You didn't plug it in a receptacle and the dang thing didn't use batteries. I'd like to find one of those things to show my grandkids and introduce them to the world AM broadcasting...while it still exists. Any ideas, anyone?
Click to expand...

Radio Shack may have a kit with a "crystal detector".
 
dfwrunner said:
A#1 said:
In an earlier thread today I asked a question about a miniscule little radio receiver I had back in the 50's and my question probably got lost in the shuffle because the topic encompassed a number of different things, but I'd appreciate any help on this question. I had a small receiver that consisted of an earphone and a wire with an alligator clip attachment. I would connect the clip to a metal switch on a lamp, for instance, and sure enough a faint AM transmission would emit from the small earphone. I don't know if it worked on static electricity or what? You didn't plug it in a receptacle and the dang thing didn't use batteries. I'd like to find one of those things to show my grandkids and introduce them to the world AM broadcasting...while it still exists. Any ideas, anyone?
Click to expand...

Radio Shack may have a kit with a "crystal detector".
Click to expand...
I thought they did as well, but couldn't locate it. They were called Crystal Sets or Crystal Radios. I grew up near 5000 watt WSAI in Cincinnati in the 60's & WSAI was loud and clear on my crystal set. You can still build one. The closer you are to an AM station, the less antenna wire you'll need.

http://www.crystalradio.net/beginners/index.shtml
 
Bob, thanks for the info. I don't remember the coil part of the apparatus, but then that was 54 years ago. I just recall the long wire, earphone and alligator clip. I'll check out your suggestion. Thank you!
 
90 years ago, you couldn't just go to the store and buy headphones and a crystal. So, you took
a tin can, a nail, a small magnet, and some wire. This became your headphone. A crystal could
be replaced by a razor blade, a safety pin, and a piece of pencil lead. This radio had a big coil
and a metal slider for tuning stations. An outside long wire and good ground were important.

The good Ole Days Of Radio!
 
Flying-Dutchman said:
90 years ago, you couldn't just go to the store and buy headphones and a crystal. So, you took
a tin can, a nail, a small magnet, and some wire. This became your headphone. A crystal could
be replaced by a razor blade, a safety pin, and a piece of pencil lead. This radio had a big coil
and a metal slider for tuning stations. An outside long wire and good ground were important.

The good Ole Days Of Radio!
Click to expand...
Indeed they were...of course we can still duplicate the receiving end of the way it was. They problem becomes is there anything worth listening to once we get there?
 
Unless I'm mistaken, Antique Electronic Supply in Tempe, AZ, has several.

tubesandmore.com
 
Around the same time that the first AM stations came on the air, Francis Jenkins of Richmond
Indiana invented television. In the 1920's, you could not buy a television set. So, his viewers
had to build their own TV. Jenkins' television station was on short wave and viewers from around
the world were delighted to see his movies.

Jenkins had invented the motion picture projector in the 1800's. His first movie demonstration was
at the family business in Richmond. People walked out in shock as he dared to show dancing girls. A reporter from the Richmond newspaper punched a hole in the wall because he was sure this had to be a trick behind the wall. Today, Francis Jenkins is mostly forgotten. He sold his patents cheap and blew his money on girls and fast cars.

Oh, he invented the gasoline automobile engine and electric starter too.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom