Best/Easiest DIY Crystal Radio - No Batteries, No External Power 2024 (4K)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 99

  • @tsbrownie
    @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Please Note: TH-cam will not let me play more than a second of other people's content, that includes radio sampling.
    RELATED CRYSTAL RADIO VIDEOS:
    Crystal Radio-Winding The Coil (ABRIDGED) th-cam.com/video/q4qHss7fdn0/w-d-xo.html
    Mount Ball-Knob Handle On Steel Shaft th-cam.com/video/UnsuUAazDTw/w-d-xo.html
    Crystal Radio Coil Sizing th-cam.com/video/ejHk5tFeKHk/w-d-xo.html
    Crystal Radio 3D Printable Parts th-cam.com/video/BQNaMuYoeKQ/w-d-xo.html
    My Crystal Radio Does NOT Work (FIXES for common problems) th-cam.com/video/kCxQ8iPQx4s/w-d-xo.html

  • @adnacraigo6590
    @adnacraigo6590 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    You've made it simple enough for anybody to build one of these sets following your example.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I hope so. Over the years, many people have left comments telling me how they built one with their father, grandfather, child, or grandchild and how they have such fond memories of its magic. If I can pass that to the next generation, it's worth the effort.

  • @Havilah_Springs
    @Havilah_Springs 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Awesome video, loved it. Helpful hint: hold your stainless steal higher up (in the white area) on the alcohol flame and it will heat up faster.

  • @jeffo3461
    @jeffo3461 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    You can save a lot of time on the pillow blocks by using a hole saw attachment on your drill. For 2” pipe, do 2” hole and cut in half. Very quick work. Thanks for the video!

  • @aserta
    @aserta ปีที่แล้ว +1

    7:48 if you have a table saw, you can make that arch by angling the intake towards the blade (you have to match the apparent width of the blade at that angle to the R of the arch). To make it work, you clamp two boards either side of the blade to guide the board from which you'll cut this arch and later bits from (explanation time takes waay longer than setup). Makes really clean cuts, just take it slowly and feed into the cut from the left side of the blade, while holding the top of the parent material board with another stick. This is great for when you want to cut multiples of the same. The process can be looked up online and it's termed "cove cutting". Pretty safe as long as you feed it properly (so don't sneeze) and use sacrificial sticks. :)

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I wish many times I had a tablesaw, but there's no place for it. 😞

  • @aserta
    @aserta ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Print your parts separately and the glue them together. 4:46 name plate, just print it with a hole and print the name after and glue it in place. Combined the printing takes longer because of the travel, but if you do this separately, the time drops, because the head only prints the basic shape.

  • @elmultimediaschoolofartscu3924
    @elmultimediaschoolofartscu3924 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Lol😂, did u finally get a ✋ hand products sponsor?😢... It's about time u get sponsors😅😅😅😅
    Love from Africa ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Thanks, but I've turned down sponsorships. Too much trouble. They ask too much and give too little. They won't pay the (high) price for my integrity!!!

    • @elmultimediaschoolofartscu3924
      @elmultimediaschoolofartscu3924 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @tsbrownie sorry 😔 to hear that. Keep up the good works Honorable Sir 🌞

  • @thevoiceharmonic
    @thevoiceharmonic 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I was 13 when I got an electronics kit in 1972. I didn't make the crystal radio for a long time because it seemed useless because it didn't have batteries. It was a strange kit because it had a solar panel that wasn't listed or described and I had never heard of such a thing being possible. Eventually I bought a proper crystal radio then set up aerials strung between trees 30m, 100m and 200m. I had to include a volume control because it was too loud. Dad got freaked out by a wire coming from the windy sky at night and taking off his hat

  • @vicjames2743
    @vicjames2743 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very cool. Love your wire joining video as well. I show it to my new student groups every semester learning soldering

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Always glad to hear it's helping people! Thanks.

  • @jaspalsingh-bg3fo
    @jaspalsingh-bg3fo 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Most beautiful radio set💯💯💯💯✨🎄💢🪁🎋🙏🏽🙏🏽

  • @EastWoodlandSurvival
    @EastWoodlandSurvival ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. Thank you. Subscribed.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you! This is a great emergency radio. Easy to build. No maintenance. No power. Sturdy. Long life.

  • @vintagetransistorRadio.Radio.h
    @vintagetransistorRadio.Radio.h ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for sharing

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for watching!

  • @josephqaqish2598
    @josephqaqish2598 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    beautiful mechanical work

  • @CharlesFeazelle
    @CharlesFeazelle 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I built this radio using 28AWG magent wire with 132 turns around a toilet paper tube. I used the website you linked to calculate how many turns I needed to get 531 uH. Right now no sound will come out of the earpiece. My antenna is about 30ft long, strung 5ft of the ground, and my ground connection is a stand alone water spigot pipe, which I sanded to clear off the corrosion. I am also using a 1N34A diode. I checked what AM stations there are in my area with a normal radio and there are only 2 strong ones and several faint ones. Also in the middle of the AM band (700-1000kHz) there are no stations. What frequency range can this crystal radio pick up? I am concerned that maybe my radio can only pick up frequencies in this 700-1000kHz range, or if not it can only pick up faint stations.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I did a video on the most common problems: th-cam.com/video/kCxQ8iPQx4s/w-d-xo.html
      There's a known problem with earphones made in Taiwan: th-cam.com/video/rKeS6vSOu3k/w-d-xo.html
      There are also fake 1n34a diodes. These will work, but very badly. th-cam.com/video/H8XlZ7Mry4M/w-d-xo.html
      I ran the numbers. Given the tube is 25mm in diameter. 132 turns of 28 AWG (0.3211 mm) wire is 42 mm long. The inductance is around 201 uH. Not in the 500+ range. The tube would have to be closer to 4" (50 mm) to be in the 500 uH range.

    • @CharlesFeazelle
      @CharlesFeazelle 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@tsbrownie My diode is real (has reverse leakage), however my earpiece was made in Taiwan, but I tested it with another circuit and it works fine. I went through your common problems video but I couldn't find anything. Also my tube diameter is 45mm, not 25mm.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@CharlesFeazelle If you used a powered source to test the earphone, that won't work as a test. You did not mention the resistor across the earphone.

    • @CharlesFeazelle
      @CharlesFeazelle 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@tsbrownie I have a 10k resistor across the earphone. I did use a power source to test the earphone. Is there a way to test it without one?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @CharlesFeazelle I use a radio to test. Since you have an antenna, look at my video about the world's simplest radio. If that won't work, then either the earphone or diode is bad. (I've had a diode that tested ok with a digital meter, but would not work in a radio.) If you have a battery powered amplifier, you could use that to see if you've got sound at the outputs. I've got a video on that too.

  • @popsmcgops6322
    @popsmcgops6322 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great video.. thank you. I wanted to up grade mine from years ago. found 10k ohm resistors, but what Watt should I look for .25, .50, 1, 2? Appreciate it..

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      You can use a smallish one. Do not use a wire wound resistor!

    • @popsmcgops6322
      @popsmcgops6322 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you Sir.. again, appreciate the videos.

  • @ShnitzlHaus
    @ShnitzlHaus 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Hi I built one of these crystal radios following your guide. It works great on a short antenna. I will upgrade that. However I noticed when I touch one of the earphone connections and tune to areas that just buzz I get clear audio.
    Does this mean I need something to tune the antenna?
    If I touch any other part there is no change. I don’t understand why touching the earphone connection would change anything?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Buzzing is usually a sign that you are picking up AC signals from home wiring. You should never use the home wiring as a ground! So if you are doing that, don't! It's dangerous. The next most common thing is your antenna is too close to AC wiring or other sources of interference (motors are bad). These radios operate on very tiny amounts of electricity, so getting your hands or other conductive stuff near the radio/antenna can change things a lot.

    • @ShnitzlHaus
      @ShnitzlHaus 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@tsbrownie thank you. I tried ground on my central air vent. that could maybe pickup the furnace electronics / motor and it also was next to a touch activated lamp 😅
      But I tried other things (water pipe) and still when I touch the earpiece side, stations get stronger or clearer. I do see your other videos with the variable capacitors maybe I need that!

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@ShnitzlHaus In many ways, the electricity in crystal radios acts like static electricity so touching it or having stuff around it can make a difference. The capacitor on the ground helps selectivity.

    • @ShnitzlHaus
      @ShnitzlHaus 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@tsbrownie thank you. I enjoy your videos and learning about these radios. I see you uploaded one now and will watch.
      I do have another question. Furthest to the left I get a station 1010. Im interested in trying to get a broadcast on 640 anything I can do to try and reach that station?
      Hope you don’t mind these questions. I will search the internet to see if any forums or literature as well.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @ShnitzlHaus It seems your radio will not reach the higher frequencies. If that is true, then it is likely that you have too much inductance or capacitance in your tank circuit. Of course I assume there's a station you can receive up there.

  • @SteveHacker
    @SteveHacker 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What is your ground? What is your antenna? And lengths?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I ground to the steel frame of the house. I have 2 antennas, one is north south, the other east west. One is 9 meters and the other 15 meters.

    • @SteveHacker
      @SteveHacker 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @ … What kinds of wire on these? Thanks!

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@SteveHacker For the antennas, it's 0.9 and 0.8 mm wire. They are not long enough to require heavier wires.

    • @SteveHacker
      @SteveHacker 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@tsbrownie … I remember as a kid in the 1970s, my results being so poor with the Cub Scouts Crystal radio build, that it basically turned me off from even bothering to experiment with it or try other options. It DID work, but only just barely, and that was in a major metropolitan area (Baltimore/Washington DC) where there were plenty of strong stations near by. My father even helped and he was an electronics and radio technician in the Navy in the 50s and 60s. Even he couldn’t do much better than I did. We tried cold water pipes, bed springs, wires out second story windows as antennas, etc. It was dismal at best. That said, I want to REBUILD that childhood Cub Scouts radio for nostalgia’s sake with my autistic son, as he needs all the communications knowledge and skill he can get, it’s a good father-son project, and I also want to develop his “life skills”. Once I cross that bridge and start back over with my “8 year old days” (I will use the Menard’s Crystal Radio kit, which is nearly identical to my childhood build), then I will build better radios like yours here, and nicer kits. I live in rural Southwest Georgia now with very few stations of any kind around, but I have a TINY bit of electronics background (audio/music electronics; guitar amps and such), but ZERO RADIO knowledge. I have recently also gotten ham radio licensed (still near zero experience), and I want to eventually be good enough and knowledgeable enough to build not only receivers, but ALSO transmitters out of spare and scavenged parts and zero instructions or schematics; all from just memory. I want to finally COMPLETE my electronics knowledge that originally turned away from radio, and went toward only audio and Information Technology (I also have multiple I.T. certifications; so I have a technical mind). So all that said, one of my main long standing questions has always been: Is there any compelling reason I SHOULD NOT use an extension cord and the ground prong on an electrical outlet to make one heck of a ground? Hot and neutral leads clipped of course, and meter testing done to MAKE SURE the ground is properly wired, etc., for safety. If the house wiring is safe, shouldn’t that be a no-brainer? Maybe if my father had helped me do something like that, I wouldn’t have gotten turned away from radio at 8-10 years old. I DO know for sure that if I don’t have great grounding and antenna power if I attempt all this with my son, and it doesn’t work well, as was the case when I was a kid, my son will definitely be turned away from future experimentation. Experiments and learning are indeed the spirit of DIY radio, but at the start, SOMETHING needs to work at least well enough to keep curiosity up. I’ve also heard these radios ONLY work with a standard old school crystal ear piece, but couldn’t the bare ends of a guitar cable also be connected and pipe the sound into a guitar amp, or some kind of amplification device (maybe in parallel with the crystal ear piece so as to still have a good impedance in the output path)? I hope that all makes sense. Thanks!

  • @gunnerdavidson7287
    @gunnerdavidson7287 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    If I attached a mini amplifier circuit to the output and connect that to a speaker would it work or not?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Yes, I showed how I did it in this video. th-cam.com/video/RW3VhnzgjtA/w-d-xo.html

    • @gunnerdavidson7287
      @gunnerdavidson7287 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@tsbrownie thanks

  • @dz-abouttechnique1849
    @dz-abouttechnique1849 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice video!

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you, thank you very much.

  • @sweetblues3230
    @sweetblues3230 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    do I need battery for that
    so where ground connected is that in the batter hi

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      No battery. You can search crystal radio and see they have a very, very long history going back over 100 years and in many countries. Since most people back then did not have electricity to their homes, this was the only way they could receive. This is the easiest one to build and the cub scout manuals had this as a project.

  • @dramdhssss1565
    @dramdhssss1565 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What is the type of earphone? It should be the same of yours or any type can work?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It's piezoelectric. It has to be the same. I think I paid a dollar or a dollar and a half for the last ones I bought. (Buy the ones from Japan, not Taiwan.) Regular earphones look like an electrical short to the radio.

  • @kopi5398
    @kopi5398 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    how long is the coiled wire please explain

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      The pipe is 2 inches in diameter, 15 cm long. The wire is 0.91mm (19 gauge). You need enough to make 160 turns. The details are in the description.

  • @miroslavbeno8584
    @miroslavbeno8584 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Aká je hodnota Rezistor ? Plese. ❤❤

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว

      10k to 40k. All info is in the description.

  • @ronb6182
    @ronb6182 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I made one with a four inch PVC and wound from one end to the other end. About four inches long. I did not use a diode i used a old copper penny and pencil lead. Like a fox hole radio. I picked up KDKA which i was about 20 miles from down town. I also picked up short wave. Hilverson Holand. When they had broadcast. 1977. I was a senior in highschool. No more short wave broadcast like back then. There are some from cuba and HCJB . 73

  • @richardsmith7783
    @richardsmith7783 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Hello i don't know it i ask you this question or not, I'm building a Crystal Radio just like the first one in the video ( Exsept ) I have a antenna coil So this is my question can i design my radio this way and will its work ok >>>>>> Starting from outside antenna wire ........ in to antenna coil ...... in to small variable capacitor to to adjust ...... in to the tuning cuil..... in to the germain diode...... to the whipper..... out to ground wire.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I'm not sure what you are building. Are you adding a coil antenna to a crystal radio? If so, I've found they don't work well unless you are making a tube/transistor radio. If you are substituting a coil antenna for the crystal radio coil, I have no experience making such a thing.

  • @kopi5398
    @kopi5398 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    how long is the coiled wire please explain

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Details are in the description.

  • @adventureguy4119
    @adventureguy4119 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    confused some how do I determine the number of turns on the coil. Iv strong up a 200' antenna now I just need to build the radio I got some new old stock diaodes from the 50s

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I have a video "Crystal Radio Coil Sizing" that should help.

  • @jeffo3461
    @jeffo3461 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Can the tuning rod be made of brass?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes, brass is a good choice.

  • @beatlesadeye4912
    @beatlesadeye4912 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I understand in your previous vid about the wrong earphone. B but can i use a old rotary telephone earpiece for the sound?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I have heard you can, but I have never done it.

    • @beatlesadeye4912
      @beatlesadeye4912 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Long ago I successfully use the earpiece of the rotary phone using diode directly connecting across the two terminal just to experiment. But the sound was low although audiable. But i see everyone now using small earphone and sound is louder

  • @cyberben3d
    @cyberben3d ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Will zinc screws work instead of brass/stainless?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Zinc will corrode easily, especially in contact with other metals like copper. It will work, but you will lose sound volume over time until it quits.

  • @tenlittleindians
    @tenlittleindians ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It looks like it's time to use that angle grinder you mentioned to grind a better chisel edge on that old screwdriver.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'd probably make it worse. Or end up with it in my gut.

  • @kingstonchi
    @kingstonchi 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    FYI, when you want to heat the wire, put it at the tip of the flame at the top, which is the hottest part of the flame .. not toward the center ..

  • @tovarichiwantankista9412
    @tovarichiwantankista9412 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Sir, what resistor should I pick? 4k ohm?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Between 10k and 40k, whichever works better.

    • @tovarichiwantankista9412
      @tovarichiwantankista9412 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      And should I put cap?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @tovarichiwantankista9412 Cap should not be used with piezo earphone.

    • @tovarichiwantankista9412
      @tovarichiwantankista9412 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@tsbrownie Okay, thanks a lot 👍

    • @kensmith5694
      @kensmith5694 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@tsbrownie In my experiment with the 1N5711 diode, I found that 2K worked the best. It would vary a lot depending on the capacitance of the earphone.

  • @jessieangeles7468
    @jessieangeles7468 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This device collecting electricity? Any answer my question and how it works

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It operates from the power of the incoming radio waves. It's how most early radios worked. It does "collect" electricity and I have used it to power a clock. th-cam.com/video/0WvZC3-mR6Q/w-d-xo.html

  • @jimnmag
    @jimnmag 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    How long a wire run do you recommend for an antenna? Iv'e seen 5 feet to 30 feet (10m)

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      One of mine is 15 m, the other is 9 m. Longer is better. Higher is better, but more dangerous to setup and maintain.

  • @PeachesCourage
    @PeachesCourage ปีที่แล้ว +3

    wheres your speaker?

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's an earphone. It's attached on the right side. You see it when I attach its wires.

  • @bassmaster9781
    @bassmaster9781 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You have to hold the wire higher in the flame.
    Its hotter higher up the flame.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I've found that modern coatings are very heat resistant and turn to a brown goo when heated. They don't burn off like the old lacquers.

  • @ZIP854
    @ZIP854 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Very cool, but I'm not a fan of the pre-made diodes. It's neater when they use razor blades for the diodes.

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      If you like razor blades, you'll love using galena or iron pyrite!
      Crystal Radio--Testing Stuff As A Detector (4K) th-cam.com/video/1o2zB5giS7I/w-d-xo.html
      Crystal Radio DIY Cat Whisker--Wood, Brass, Stainless (4K) th-cam.com/video/PQ0clWe8NGU/w-d-xo.html

  • @YEMinThant-gv1my
    @YEMinThant-gv1my 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @ilicilija1352
    @ilicilija1352 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Am or fm

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      AM. FM requires much more electronics.

  • @TheLionAndTheLamb777
    @TheLionAndTheLamb777 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You need a coping saw.

    • @kensmith5694
      @kensmith5694 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I think he can cope without a special saw.

  • @JimJacoby-m9e
    @JimJacoby-m9e หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    How no power 0 power .power through the radio signal via antenae

    • @tsbrownie
      @tsbrownie  หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It uses the radio waves to power itself, no batteries or external power is needed.