[AT] Way OT Crystal sets

[George Willer]

Cecil,

We were able to make them work... just barely.  It took a lot of trial and
error to find a spot with the cat's whisker on the galena crystal that would
"detect".  The spots weren't even as reliable as my internet connection, and
would die the same way... with no warning and for no apparent reason.

George Willer

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cecil E Monson" <cmonson at hvc.rr.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 6:56 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Way OT Crystal sets


> > The crystal sets of long ago were lots of fun for youngsters. Mine had a
> > crystal in a chunk of lead and used a cats whisker piece of wire mounted
on
> > a small shaft with a ball pivot so that it could be moved around on the
> > crystal to find the best spot for reception. The ear phones were the old
> > type that could be taken apart to reveal a small metal disc and the two
wire
> > wound pole pieces. A good antenna and ground rod were required for good
> > reception. The later units (kits) used a diode --1N34-- I believe for
the
> > detector. All the strong local stations could be picked up.
> >
> > H. L. Staples
> > McLoud, Oklahoma
> > USA
>
>
> Geez, H.L., I didn't think you were old enough to remember crystal
> sets?  ;-)   I bought one around 1940 and never could get it to work where
> we lived in Minnesota. We were 25 miles from the nearest radio station and
> the signal was too weak to pick up anything. All I got was a little noise.
> I remember the black headphones with the spring headband. My bedroom  was
> upstairs and I ran a wire out to a tree in the back yard but even then it
> never worked for me. Finally had to give up on it.
>
> Cecil
> -- 
> The nicest thing about telling the truth is you never have to wonder
> what you said.
>
> Cecil E Monson
> Lucille Hand-Monson
> Mountainville, New York   Just a little east of the North Pole
>
> Allis Chalmers tractors and equipment
>
> Free advice
>
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