Old Salty Crystal Radio Project

This is right from the old time. In the 20's, projects like this were built by many using a galena detector. Then in the 50's, the same people built this set with their kids, using a modern germanium diode. Now it is time for the new generation to make their crystal sets.

Loudspeaker 1D8GT Radio Project

Here is an interesting project using a 1D8GT tube. This is a three section tube. I made a shortwave radio myself using this tube. This radio is a TRF style set where the triode is operated as a reflex stage. The circuit is very interesting, but I would have done it differently. As a bonus, there is a schematic of a similar radio using a 3A5GT.

1S4 Radio Project

This radio uses a single 1S4 tube with only 6 volts on the plate. Regeneration is controlled by using a variocoupler. A switch provides coverage from the bottom of the broadcast band through the 80 meter ham band. An optional speaker driven audio amplifier can be built. A high impedance speaker is required but a regular speaker and transformer may be substituted. Also included is the two page article showing how to build the variocoupler.

1 Tube Superhet Project

A 6U8 tube makes this superhet go. Mike Peebles also sent this 1956 magazine article to me to evaluate. I thought it would be a good project do do over 50 years later.

2 Tube Superhet Project

Here is a two tube superhet using a 1R5 and 1U5 tube. This 2 tube set uses an external antenna and drives a set of high impedance headphones. This is an easy way to get into building superhet radios.

Crystal Radio Projects

This is a twofer crystal set projects. One is a single tuned set with a trap. The trap is link coupled by a small coil between the antenna and detector circuit. The other two image links on the left are drawings that Mike made of the Telefunken early crystal radio circuit. A couple years later this circuit found it's way to an Australian publication in the early thirties. It was part of the Mystery Set type of articles because of the very tight coil coupling.

1 Tube Reflex Radio

A one tube reflex radio is contained herein. This speaker output radio uses a single 6AU6. A short antenna is used. Longer antennas can be used if a coil is wound for the A-G connections, rather than connecting to the top of the tank.

A dual gang capacitor does the tuning. Selectivity is probably reasonable. A good 1950's project to condider building. These pages were

1 Tube Wallop

The One Tube Wallop probably does as the title says. The 1D8GT is a 3 section tube, including a triode and pentode. After the front end diode detection, there are two stages of amplification. I'm always a sucker for these 1D8 projects.

AM Superhet Tuner

If you have an existing amplifier, this 2 tube might be the thing to build to pick up those Limbaugh programs. They obtain the power from another source, but you can build your own supply. The only part that I wouldn't recommend is one of their heater hookups. That involves a series string across the AC line. This could result in a "hot chassis". Rush is enough of a shock without doing this. Use the transformer method instead!

A Two Tube BCB Receiver

Back to those battery tube circuits that Mike likes so well. And it is a reflex set too! A 1U4 and a 3S4 makes this work. The circuit drawing could have been better, but it can be followed.

Unicorn Superhet

A single tube superhet using a 6M11 tube. This radio has 3 active stages, a mixer, IF Amp and audio output. For your designers there might be room for improvement, but the circuit looks nice and should make a fun project you can use around the shop or home.