LoRa networks are the answer for long range two-way data communications. peer-to-peer text messaging etc. Crystal sets although very cool are only good for listening to AM radio but you need one hell of a long antenna and a good ground
I know. This side of the hobby taught me all about antennas, grounding and how other components are brought into play. I even used those ideas to use my SDR. Which by the way, I mostly gave up on. The sdr I had could not compete with a standard or hybrid radios with dsp. They are better receivers.
In recent years I noticed, with the traditional flesh colored crystal earphone which have been available since the 1960's to 70's but the more recent, Made in Taiwan earphones, which I had acquired 3 earpieces 10 years ago and have noticed on all three the sound is intermittent, cutting out, having to tap it with my fingertip frequently one was completely dead . after some research I learned this is now a common problem with these earphones, the piezo driver is aluminum with a haphazard glued and pinch press connected thin wire exposed to oxidation and a future poor connection (never mind the effect of an EMP) I did remedy my issue with a pair of modified piezo buzzers with brass discs made into a makeshift earphone they work great very reliable I also ordered some brass 20 mm piezo discs to replace those crappy aluminum discs in my other commercial crystal earphones.
As a kid in Ohio Mom worked for rca In Findlay Ohio....she brought a glass diode deemed defective. I got a book from the library. And hung around a ham....my mother despite my step dad's objection. I built my first circa 1958. Had it for many years even had one in the army .. Wife and child gone. Getting the itch again so I'll look over others shoulders then build new tks.
Interesting little radio! I think pretty much any radio, including modern ones, can be made EMP-proof by putting the main circuit in a Faraday cage (which may just be a metal case). Obviously the antenna is then going to conduct the EMP, but I think you can quite easily stop it from reaching your radio using a gas discharge tube (GDT) and TVS diode. Basically the same way you would do lightning strike protection. Downside is that it will add some parasitic capacitance so you will have to account for that in your radio. Big advantage of this radio is that if it does get fried, it looks like you have to replace at most 3 passive components worth less than $0.10 each
The diode would be the most easily damaged part. If you disconnected the earphone and antenna/ground, wrapped it in aluminum foil, it should be good. Assuming you're not ground zero of the cause of the EMP. But you also need to protect the earphones and antenna. Wrap the earphones, take down the antenna and wrap it just to be sure.
UK. Many, many moons ago I put up an aerial around 160 ft long and 35 ft high in a triangular configuration going from tree to tree. I used the old porcelain insulators. I had to do it when my parents were out, as dad would have stopped me. I had been given an Ivalek crystal radio which worked very well, but the bug got me. You will think I am lying, but in the end my cobbled radio drove a loudspeaker which could be heard from my bedroom across the hall and into the kitchen. Faint but audible. The sad thing is I never got Radio Luxembourg (Europe's only free pop channel) clear enough. Luxembourg is quite a way from the UK. Home electronics is dying, my friend, but there are few old timers like us that still try and put 240V AC across their hearts now and then. Me.
@@genestevens7584 Thanks . I bought another Crystal radio set off eBay about 10 years ago that’s wound with an Z matching transformer matching 32 ohm that will weekly drive my old radio shack speakers or Bose headphones when hooked to my 250 foot long wire grounded. I regularly pickup KCBS out of San Francisco, CA to my QTH. Weekly of course but it is readable on either speaker or headphones. If I hooked to my audio amplifier much more signals picked up…that still amazes me. Good luck on your crystal sets, 73!
If the antenna wasn't hooked up it will be fine. The concept of EVERYTHING electronic dying due to an EMP/CME is nice for books,but nothing like the truth.
@@genestevens7584 i dont have much experience or knowledge about those, but the ones you made look really cool! maybe make a video demonstrating how they work
LoRa networks are the answer for long range two-way data communications. peer-to-peer text messaging etc. Crystal sets although very cool are only good for listening to AM radio but you need one hell of a long antenna and a good ground
AM stations and shortwave stations are disappearing around the world, except in backward countries, and the USA G7VFY
I know. This side of the hobby taught me all about antennas, grounding and how other components are brought into play. I even used those ideas to use my SDR. Which by the way, I mostly gave up on. The sdr I had could not compete with a standard or hybrid radios with dsp. They are better receivers.
Your a real funny guy, hehe.
I dont mind all the uhm and uhh's cause i do it myself, lol.
I have a tough time with filler mumbles. I have to really struggle to eliminate them. But hey, I'm not news person. I'm just me.
In recent years I noticed, with the traditional flesh colored crystal earphone which have been available since the 1960's to 70's but the more recent, Made in Taiwan earphones, which I had acquired 3 earpieces 10 years ago and have noticed on all three the sound is intermittent, cutting out, having to tap it with my fingertip frequently one was completely dead . after some research I learned this is now a common problem with these earphones, the piezo driver is aluminum with a haphazard glued and pinch press connected thin wire exposed to oxidation and a future poor connection (never mind the effect of an EMP) I did remedy my issue with a pair of modified piezo buzzers with brass discs made into a makeshift earphone they work great very reliable I also ordered some brass 20 mm piezo discs to replace those crappy aluminum discs in my other commercial crystal earphones.
As a kid in Ohio Mom worked for rca In Findlay Ohio....she brought a glass diode deemed defective. I got a book from the library. And hung around a ham....my mother despite my step dad's objection. I built my first circa 1958. Had it for many years even had one in the army .. Wife and child gone. Getting the itch again so I'll look over others shoulders then build new tks.
Interesting little radio!
I think pretty much any radio, including modern ones, can be made EMP-proof by putting the main circuit in a Faraday cage (which may just be a metal case). Obviously the antenna is then going to conduct the EMP, but I think you can quite easily stop it from reaching your radio using a gas discharge tube (GDT) and TVS diode. Basically the same way you would do lightning strike protection. Downside is that it will add some parasitic capacitance so you will have to account for that in your radio.
Big advantage of this radio is that if it does get fried, it looks like you have to replace at most 3 passive components worth less than $0.10 each
Good point!
Really nice Crystal sets 👍
Shame your not in my neighbourhood, I'd like to pop over & take a look, unfortunately I'm in the u.k..
An EMP most likely would only effect the diode, a cat whiskers and Galena crystal would not be effected.
The diode would be the most easily damaged part. If you disconnected the earphone and antenna/ground, wrapped it in aluminum foil, it should be good. Assuming you're not ground zero of the cause of the EMP. But you also need to protect the earphones and antenna. Wrap the earphones, take down the antenna and wrap it just to be sure.
Thanks for posting this
UK. Many, many moons ago I put up an aerial around 160 ft long and 35 ft high in a triangular configuration going from tree to tree. I used the old porcelain insulators. I had to do it when my parents were out, as dad would have stopped me. I had been given an Ivalek crystal radio which worked very well, but the bug got me. You will think I am lying, but in the end my cobbled radio drove a loudspeaker which could be heard from my bedroom across the hall and into the kitchen. Faint but audible. The sad thing is I never got Radio Luxembourg (Europe's only free pop channel) clear enough. Luxembourg is quite a way from the UK. Home electronics is dying, my friend, but there are few old timers like us that still try and put 240V AC across their hearts now and then. Me.
Awesome comment. Thank you. I'm a radio traditionalist.
i made a 6 MICROPOWER transistor radio. works from 0.9 to 3volts. CURRENT DRAW IS 50 MICROAMPS TOO 200MICROAMPS from 2 x 1.5 volt batteries.
Very cool
Nice cristal set
Thanks
Being from Tucson , Arizona what is all the White Stuff covering your yard?
Great video! Have a great day! 73!
I like Tucson
@@genestevens7584 Thanks .
I bought another Crystal radio set off eBay about 10 years ago that’s wound with an Z matching transformer matching 32 ohm that will weekly drive my old radio shack speakers or Bose headphones when hooked to my 250 foot long wire grounded. I regularly pickup KCBS out of San Francisco, CA to my QTH. Weekly of course but it is readable on either speaker or headphones.
If I hooked to my audio amplifier much more signals picked up…that still amazes me.
Good luck on your crystal sets, 73!
Interesting to think about he EMP scenario
PS a emergency diode is simple a old razor blade and a diaper pin. Rub the point of pin against the rust =signal
googled the RK-7d, but could not find.
Hi. I'm trying to find that crystal radio kit online, but I can't find it. Where did you get it? Thanks.
I'm sorry I didn't answer this. They are on ebay
If the antenna wasn't hooked up it will be fine. The concept of EVERYTHING electronic dying due to an EMP/CME is nice for books,but nothing like the truth.
i suppose you could put it in a microwave oven for 10-15 seconds, and try it afterwards
@@jeremycole3008 Directed RF would kill anything.
DRINKING GAME!
take a shot everytime he says ..UM, AH..
Lol
I get out more words than my ex wife.. Her mouth would move and nothing would come out. It was a really strange impediment.
EMP = Your detector is dead. AM stations and shortwave stations are disappearing around the world, except in backward countries, and the USA G7VFY
And we will continue the fight against intrusive technologies such as digital radio. We wont be controlled.
can you uhh and umm less, makes a better video
Some days I can, some days I can't. It's something that I struggle with.
Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it. And I appreciate that you watched my video. What do think of this crystal radio?😊
@@genestevens7584 i dont have much experience or knowledge about those, but the ones you made look really cool! maybe make a video demonstrating how they work