Tutorial - How to make a Cat Whisker for a Crystal Radio

If you ever try to buy a replacement Cat Whisker for a crystal radio, you will find they can be quite expensive. It's super easy to make your own, so in this video we will show you how. it's important to use spring steel as it's designed to be made into a spring. Also be aware it's hardened steel and as such, it should be handled with care. It can break, and it's sharp as a needle when handling it. I'm using 36 gauge but prefer somewhere around 28 gauge, but it still works well. Our next video will include the radio you will see here used in the radio demonstration.

[@chrisb3989]

You can use a bronze guitar string. Get the highest pitch (smallest diameter) you can buy single strings at music stores.

[@alainblazit9504]

I wandered what wire to use for galena detectors. I have some to complete. Thanks

[@garrykraemer8993]

I'd like to know what you recommend for the best gauge of the wire. Also you don't mention the crystal material. Do you have a source for the wire and crystal. This is interesting to me. I have built a crystal radio over 40 years ago and it used a commercial diode. it would be great to replace the diode with a detector I actually made. I'm a ham and 75. I'm trying to achieve 30 WPM CW. Making slow progress! WD0DUD

[@antiqueradioarcheology-wil8878]

The crystal is Galena, the wire gauge was 36 which is too thin. It works well, but it's not easy to handle. It's like working with stronger strands of fiberglass, it penetrates the skin real easy. I prefer about 28 gauge.