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

Parts

Part	Total Qty.	Description	Substitutions
C1	1	Tuning Capacitor (See Notes)
D1	1	1N34 Germanium Diode
L1	1	Loopstick Antenna (See Notes)
SPKR1	1	Crystal Earphone
MISC	1	Wire, Board, Wire For Antenna, Knob For C1

Notes

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.

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

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...

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

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anonymous Crystal Radio Friday, August 31, 2012 5:39:44 PM

WHERE IS THE POSITIVE CONNECTION?

Tony B (old timer) Crystal Radio Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:08:11 AM

If you live in a city, you probably dont need the earth connection, as you will get a strong signal friom local stations, but in the countryside the earth becomes essential to receive anything in some locations. It only needs to be a metal rod, preferably copper, about 1-2 metres long, buried in the ground.A lead water supply pipe will do nicely.

anonymous Crystal Radio Friday, March 26, 2010 6:15:56 PM

I built this radio exactly as shown in 1969 and was AMAZED it worked...I was only 8 yrs old. I substitued the diode with a transistor, using only two of its three leads and wound the coil on an oatmeal tube carton with a copper strip as my 'tuner'..lol. the cap was from an old radio. BTW, I hate oatmeal.

razorradio Crystal Radio Friday, November 06, 2009 2:37:33 PM

This is a great hobby. One of my first xtal radios was this same circuit!. I even had a radio that was just a diode and an earpiece! If you live close to a radio station and have a good antenna and ground you will either get one station or several at once. My main crysatal radio when I was a kid was a variable loopstick + a 1N60 diode (similar to a 1N34) and a crystal earpiece. I also biult a couple radios that had a razorblade touched by a pencil lead as a detector instead of the diode. I recently just got my first DX on an AM crystal set. The circuit is similar to yours, but with a tapped coil on PVC pipe instead of a ferrite loopstick. NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: A regular earphone will not work. You need a crystal earphone (also called piezo electric).

arun Crystal Radio Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:04:48 AM

Is there any kind of inductor or rheostat is needed.......Loop stick anteena has only one terminal ..How to connect both +ve and ground ...Plzzzz reply soon

anonymous Crystal Radio Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:16:41 AM

There is NO FM radios on that page.

anonymous Crystal Radio Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:13:52 AM

Can a loudspeaker be used for the circuit instead of the crystal earphone????????

anonymous Crystal Radio Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:59:35 AM

can we use this device to make light flickers by changing the speaker to LED

anonymous Crystal Radio Friday, May 08, 2009 8:20:19 PM

If this radio is able to use the energy from the radio waves interacting with the antenna coil for power, is there a way to use this as a free energy device too? Turn this into a small charger for example
(Editor's notes: We're only talking a few microamps here.)

Sanjeet Crystal Radio Sunday, February 15, 2009 3:56:23 AM

Where is the battery or power or it is of without battery?

alex Crystal Radio Saturday, January 31, 2009 3:23:15 PM

Crystal radio's require NO power source. they are able to use the energy from the radio waves interacting with the antenna coil. The germanium diode with it's low forward bias voltage is the ideal device for use in this circuit.

pranab Crystal Radio Saturday, January 31, 2009 3:27:43 AM

its not working properly

sumit Crystal Radio Friday, July 25, 2008 8:18:57 AM

where's the supply voltage?

mrudula Crystal Radio Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:50:21 AM

please help me out with the shematics. i dont get for what is there a extention from c1.is it a coil or has the wira to be completad in a loop?

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...

Nikhil Crystal Radio Wednesday, December 26, 2007 5:32:33 AM

Sir,give me more information about tunning capasitor and loopstick antenna

siva Crystal Radio Friday, December 21, 2007 2:35:19 AM

i like to built a crystal radio please help me

JASIMDEV S Crystal Radio Friday, November 16, 2007 9:02:28 PM

SIR You have included even a simple circuit so that your dependers could know better . I would like to thank you . bye

syahmi Crystal Radio Monday, October 29, 2007 4:47:16 AM

no power source needed....

elpieP Portable AM Radio Saturday, October 06, 2007 5:06:37 AM

please can someone help me construct a portable transistorized am radio that is tuned to only one frequency (no tuning capacitor} powered by two AA type battery.

seachmoore Crystal Radio Wednesday, September 19, 2007 6:34:18 AM

pls, where will the voltage source be connected and also which frequencies does it receive AM or FM ?

shariq noor Crystal Radio Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:57:17 PM

its a very good & informative site for the students plz place a project of ups on your site.

anonymous Crystal Radio Wednesday, September 12, 2007 4:36:38 AM

Some of you people need to go back to watching Maury or Springer, as you post ridiculous comments about subjects that are way beyond your scope of comprehension. If you have to ask where the battery is on a crystal radio you obviously need to do more research on circuitry and electronics. WTF research before you post BS

muthuraman Crystal Radio Monday, September 03, 2007 7:33:32 AM

how i tune the varios stations.

salihu Crystal Radio Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:48:03 AM

please the battery should be connected where. Thanks.

Rachid Crystal Radio Sunday, August 12, 2007 1:01:20 PM

where conect the power

anonymous Crystal Radio Wednesday, August 01, 2007 10:00:32 AM

Dear friends, Please connect end to any tree in your garden , then see for yourself the best results- ! Regards ., From: K R Buddhamani, chennai ,India.

hamad hi Friday, July 27, 2007 5:19:43 AM

how are you first of all i would like to thank you for this site please i have project 1 for my uni. the requirement to do any project and i give they precentation and report about this project . if you can help me please i donot have ajob i have to applay ajob to help my famialy 3 semester remain to finish my uni. thank you i wait you response thanks yours hamad

sushil Crystal Radio Friday, July 13, 2007 7:09:44 AM

Great cCrystal Earphoneircuit.Plz tell me,we use any Earphone or only

tijo chalisery Crystal Radio Friday, July 13, 2007 5:01:57 AM

sir,i want to do aproject on crystal radio.so i need some notes of the devices used in making crystal radio.will you please send me notes on these subject.

anonymous Crystal Radio Monday, July 09, 2007 2:48:20 PM

Hey yah what r ta frequencies? I know itssa FM or AM but which???

shashikant gond malegaon Crystal Radio Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:32:39 AM

In place of IN34 diode I used OA79 and found good result with 2000 ohm magnetic headphones can someone use silicon diode?

ramy refat amin Crystal Radio Saturday, May 26, 2007 3:24:37 PM

what the type of antenna on this radio?

Sujoy Crystal Radio Saturday, May 12, 2007 3:24:24 AM

Great ckt. *Can u plz tell me why we use the 1N34 Ge diode. *What is the triangle on top for. *Can u post a simple ckt for FM radio.

Len Harrison Crystal Radio Saturday, April 28, 2007 7:50:37 PM

I am amazed that your crystal radio works without an earth(ground)_most need one and the experts are always saying a good ground is essential.I have made several crystal radios and none of these will work without an earth. It is rocky where I live and hard to get an earth rod or pipe more than 5ft deep.I have to use a transistor as an amplifier otherwise I would hear very little signal. Thank you for an interesting site. Len

jamie Crystal Radio Saturday, April 28, 2007 3:57:04 PM

it dose not use a battery i have got a crystal radio the simplest circuit to make email me i will tell you about it thanks p.a jamie astle

md. saiful islam Crystal Radio Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:13:59 AM

am bangladeshi reading in an engineering university namely KUET. i am so much interested in circuits as my subject is EEE. this circuit is really praiseworthy and informative. i bless its designer.

clair Crystal Radio Friday, April 13, 2007 4:01:57 PM

cmon guys its a crystal radio..it doesnt need a battery...it gets its power from the antenna...sort of...well from the radio waves then...a long wire antenna is best and a good ground is a must....this circut is a simple one...they can get quite complex...google around and see for urself...i just built one with three tuned circuts...works quite nicely...now if i could just find a nice soundpowered headset for the right price id be in xtal radio heaven.....this is a good hobby to try ...especially in the winter to receive the most stations..and the most distant ones....its called dxing....try it out...nice site here ...some interesting circuts...thanks to the site owner

anonymous Crystal Radio Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:58:35 PM

Great code Sir. I wish to know if it works without a battery and if it can receive FM. Please reply.
(Editor's notes: Do you see a battery in the schematic? And no, it's AM only.)

Samir Crystal Radio Saturday, March 31, 2007 1:40:38 PM

Gud nice project using minimum of components.. can u tell me whch band of frequencies does it catch, and also is it an AM receiver or FM receiver??

dannywest Crystal Radio Friday, March 30, 2007 11:12:37 AM

please i would like 2 know where the input 4 battery will be

uche Crystal Radio Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:26:41 AM

it's nice but i dont know if it uses battery at all, but if does where is it going to connect to and if not how does it work.please send it to my mail, thanks.

anonymous Crystal Radio Monday, March 19, 2007 5:53:03 AM

hey awsome website thanx 4 the info! but sometimes i dont get it lol

snawal Crystal Radio Saturday, March 17, 2007 1:13:05 PM

cna u tell me plz there is no need of battery if so then itis very good circuit pzl email me tell me about more it (battery)

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anonymous	Crystal Radio	Friday, August 31, 2012 5:39:44 PM
WHERE IS THE POSITIVE CONNECTION?
Tony B (old timer)	Crystal Radio	Thursday, September 30, 2010 4:08:11 AM
If you live in a city, you probably dont need the earth connection, as you will get a strong signal friom local stations, but in the countryside the earth becomes essential to receive anything in some locations. It only needs to be a metal rod, preferably copper, about 1-2 metres long, buried in the ground.A lead water supply pipe will do nicely.
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Friday, March 26, 2010 6:15:56 PM
I built this radio exactly as shown in 1969 and was AMAZED it worked...I was only 8 yrs old. I substitued the diode with a transistor, using only two of its three leads and wound the coil on an oatmeal tube carton with a copper strip as my 'tuner'..lol. the cap was from an old radio. BTW, I hate oatmeal.
razorradio	Crystal Radio	Friday, November 06, 2009 2:37:33 PM
This is a great hobby. One of my first xtal radios was this same circuit!. I even had a radio that was just a diode and an earpiece! If you live close to a radio station and have a good antenna and ground you will either get one station or several at once. My main crysatal radio when I was a kid was a variable loopstick + a 1N60 diode (similar to a 1N34) and a crystal earpiece. I also biult a couple radios that had a razorblade touched by a pencil lead as a detector instead of the diode. I recently just got my first DX on an AM crystal set. The circuit is similar to yours, but with a tapped coil on PVC pipe instead of a ferrite loopstick. NOTE TO NEWCOMERS: A regular earphone will not work. You need a crystal earphone (also called piezo electric).
arun	Crystal Radio	Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:04:48 AM
Is there any kind of inductor or rheostat is needed.......Loop stick anteena has only one terminal ..How to connect both +ve and ground ...Plzzzz reply soon
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:16:41 AM
There is NO FM radios on that page.
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, September 02, 2009 9:13:52 AM
Can a loudspeaker be used for the circuit instead of the crystal earphone????????
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:59:35 AM
can we use this device to make light flickers by changing the speaker to LED
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Friday, May 08, 2009 8:20:19 PM
If this radio is able to use the energy from the radio waves interacting with the antenna coil for power, is there a way to use this as a free energy device too? Turn this into a small charger for example (Editor's notes: We're only talking a few microamps here.)
Sanjeet	Crystal Radio	Sunday, February 15, 2009 3:56:23 AM
Where is the battery or power or it is of without battery?
alex	Crystal Radio	Saturday, January 31, 2009 3:23:15 PM
Crystal radio's require NO power source. they are able to use the energy from the radio waves interacting with the antenna coil. The germanium diode with it's low forward bias voltage is the ideal device for use in this circuit.
pranab	Crystal Radio	Saturday, January 31, 2009 3:27:43 AM
its not working properly
sumit	Crystal Radio	Friday, July 25, 2008 8:18:57 AM
where's the supply voltage?
mrudula	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, June 04, 2008 10:50:21 AM
please help me out with the shematics. i dont get for what is there a extention from c1.is it a coil or has the wira to be completad in a loop?
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...
Nikhil	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, December 26, 2007 5:32:33 AM
Sir,give me more information about tunning capasitor and loopstick antenna
siva	Crystal Radio	Friday, December 21, 2007 2:35:19 AM
i like to built a crystal radio please help me
JASIMDEV S	Crystal Radio	Friday, November 16, 2007 9:02:28 PM
SIR You have included even a simple circuit so that your dependers could know better . I would like to thank you . bye
syahmi	Crystal Radio	Monday, October 29, 2007 4:47:16 AM
no power source needed....
elpieP	Portable AM Radio	Saturday, October 06, 2007 5:06:37 AM
please can someone help me construct a portable transistorized am radio that is tuned to only one frequency (no tuning capacitor} powered by two AA type battery.
seachmoore	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, September 19, 2007 6:34:18 AM
pls, where will the voltage source be connected and also which frequencies does it receive AM or FM ?
shariq noor	Crystal Radio	Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:57:17 PM
its a very good & informative site for the students plz place a project of ups on your site.
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, September 12, 2007 4:36:38 AM
Some of you people need to go back to watching Maury or Springer, as you post ridiculous comments about subjects that are way beyond your scope of comprehension. If you have to ask where the battery is on a crystal radio you obviously need to do more research on circuitry and electronics. WTF research before you post BS
muthuraman	Crystal Radio	Monday, September 03, 2007 7:33:32 AM
how i tune the varios stations.
salihu	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:48:03 AM
please the battery should be connected where. Thanks.
Rachid	Crystal Radio	Sunday, August 12, 2007 1:01:20 PM
where conect the power
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, August 01, 2007 10:00:32 AM
Dear friends, Please connect end to any tree in your garden , then see for yourself the best results- ! Regards ., From: K R Buddhamani, chennai ,India.
hamad	hi	Friday, July 27, 2007 5:19:43 AM
how are you first of all i would like to thank you for this site please i have project 1 for my uni. the requirement to do any project and i give they precentation and report about this project . if you can help me please i donot have ajob i have to applay ajob to help my famialy 3 semester remain to finish my uni. thank you i wait you response thanks yours hamad
sushil	Crystal Radio	Friday, July 13, 2007 7:09:44 AM
Great cCrystal Earphoneircuit.Plz tell me,we use any Earphone or only
tijo chalisery	Crystal Radio	Friday, July 13, 2007 5:01:57 AM
sir,i want to do aproject on crystal radio.so i need some notes of the devices used in making crystal radio.will you please send me notes on these subject.
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Monday, July 09, 2007 2:48:20 PM
Hey yah what r ta frequencies? I know itssa FM or AM but which???
shashikant gond malegaon	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, June 06, 2007 5:32:39 AM
In place of IN34 diode I used OA79 and found good result with 2000 ohm magnetic headphones can someone use silicon diode?
ramy refat amin	Crystal Radio	Saturday, May 26, 2007 3:24:37 PM
what the type of antenna on this radio?
Sujoy	Crystal Radio	Saturday, May 12, 2007 3:24:24 AM
Great ckt. Can u plz tell me why we use the 1N34 Ge diode. What is the triangle on top for. *Can u post a simple ckt for FM radio.
Len Harrison	Crystal Radio	Saturday, April 28, 2007 7:50:37 PM
I am amazed that your crystal radio works without an earth(ground)_most need one and the experts are always saying a good ground is essential.I have made several crystal radios and none of these will work without an earth. It is rocky where I live and hard to get an earth rod or pipe more than 5ft deep.I have to use a transistor as an amplifier otherwise I would hear very little signal. Thank you for an interesting site. Len
jamie	Crystal Radio	Saturday, April 28, 2007 3:57:04 PM
it dose not use a battery i have got a crystal radio the simplest circuit to make email me i will tell you about it thanks p.a jamie astle
md. saiful islam	Crystal Radio	Thursday, April 26, 2007 10:13:59 AM
am bangladeshi reading in an engineering university namely KUET. i am so much interested in circuits as my subject is EEE. this circuit is really praiseworthy and informative. i bless its designer.
clair	Crystal Radio	Friday, April 13, 2007 4:01:57 PM
cmon guys its a crystal radio..it doesnt need a battery...it gets its power from the antenna...sort of...well from the radio waves then...a long wire antenna is best and a good ground is a must....this circut is a simple one...they can get quite complex...google around and see for urself...i just built one with three tuned circuts...works quite nicely...now if i could just find a nice soundpowered headset for the right price id be in xtal radio heaven.....this is a good hobby to try ...especially in the winter to receive the most stations..and the most distant ones....its called dxing....try it out...nice site here ...some interesting circuts...thanks to the site owner
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, April 11, 2007 5:58:35 PM
Great code Sir. I wish to know if it works without a battery and if it can receive FM. Please reply. (Editor's notes: Do you see a battery in the schematic? And no, it's AM only.)
Samir	Crystal Radio	Saturday, March 31, 2007 1:40:38 PM
Gud nice project using minimum of components.. can u tell me whch band of frequencies does it catch, and also is it an AM receiver or FM receiver??
dannywest	Crystal Radio	Friday, March 30, 2007 11:12:37 AM
please i would like 2 know where the input 4 battery will be
uche	Crystal Radio	Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:26:41 AM
it's nice but i dont know if it uses battery at all, but if does where is it going to connect to and if not how does it work.please send it to my mail, thanks.
anonymous	Crystal Radio	Monday, March 19, 2007 5:53:03 AM
hey awsome website thanx 4 the info! but sometimes i dont get it lol
snawal	Crystal Radio	Saturday, March 17, 2007 1:13:05 PM
cna u tell me plz there is no need of battery if so then itis very good circuit pzl email me tell me about more it (battery)