Crystal Radio

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I have received a number of emails regarding schematics for crystal radios. After about the third email, I figured that I may as well put one on my page. So here it is. The circuit is very simple with only 5 parts, but performs very nicely when used with the right size antenna.

Schematic

This is the schematic of the Crystal Radio

Parts
Part
Total Qty.
Description
Substitutions
C11Tuning Capacitor (See Notes)
D111N34 Germanium Diode
L11Loopstick Antenna (See Notes)
SPKR11Crystal Earphone
MISC1Wire, Board, Wire For Antenna, Knob For C1

Notes

  1. C1 and L1 can be bought, or salvaged from an old AM radio (which is where I got mine). You may need to experiment with the connections on L1 in order to get the best (or any) signal.

  2. You may or may not need the ground connection. I never use it and the radio usually works fine without it.

  3. The bigger the antenna, the more stations you pick up and the louder you hear them. On my radio, I get about 10 stations, 3 of which are very loud in the earphone. Of course, not everyone has room for a 60' antenna...

  4. A 47K resistor in parallel with the earphone will help properly load the detector (This suggestion from Kb8tej1@aol.com)

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Comments

cody Williams
Crystal Radio
Saturday, March 29, 2008 12:52:36 PM
I just got done w/ mine.
Felix Addo
Crystal Radio
Friday, March 07, 2008 12:09:12 PM
am not good in electronics so i want you to help me build a crystal radio
anonymous
Crystal Radio
Thursday, March 06, 2008 1:13:00 AM
This is small and good but what is the value of L1 and C1
anonymous
Crystal Radio
Thursday, February 21, 2008 5:46:43 PM
please make a crystal radio design that uses a tuning coil and an adjustable audio amp circuit attached please...thankyou :)
Marksman
Crystal Radio
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 8:39:56 AM
sameer! for L1 40-50 feet of 22 gauge enameled magnet wire & for C1 A 365 pf variable capacitor will run nice. u can also use a 2,000 Ohm earphones insted of Crystal Earphone.
rajesh kumar
Crystal Radio
Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:18:38 AM
i dosnt works so help me
sameer
Crystal Radio
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:19:56 AM
Can u tell me, In the crystal radio what should be value of capacitor c1 & coil L1.
Viraj K
FM radio n fm microphone.
Saturday, January 12, 2008 9:02:49 PM
Well the site is ultimetum ! Pls can anybody tell me way easiest and cheapest way for preparing the fm radio and also fm microphone with the best results.... also am not having the whole knowledge of joining these circuits..and from where can i get these electronic equipments? Pls anybody help me the earliest !!
fyrepunx
Crystal Radio
Friday, January 11, 2008 8:52:00 PM
My question is not where the battery is on a crystal radio, but how can I use a crystal radio AS a battery (in effect, storing the energy)?
anonymous
Crystal Radio
Friday, January 04, 2008 3:53:57 AM
Plz tell me where should the power supply must be connected. and how to tune different channels... also tell me abt the parts in detail...
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