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Skywave Super Ryder
Mike has built a top notch looking crystal set that I am
proud to bring to everyone else. There are pictures to show the detail of the
dial string coil tuning system. Great set, Mike!
I can get between 10 and 15 stations and they are pretty much selective by
the variable cap. Using the 2 sliders will also help in bringing out
that hard to hear station buried in noise or other stations. I have
built several radios using this circuit with very good results. I live
in West Virginia and one evening I was able to hear a distant station on
standard am in California. I only heard it one time so propagation must
have been just right to hear it. There was a lot of QSB that night, so
stations were popping in and out from all over.
The wood was bought at Wal-Mart in their crafts section. So
anyone wanting to build a similar looking radio can get the wood for
under $5.
The lettering was done by computer. I used a computer scanner to
scan the face plate after the holes were drilled so I could get an
accurate layout of all lettering. I then used the Avery 8665 Clear
Full Sheet Labels paper to print on. Then using a pair of scissors I
cut the lettering in one full sheet to fit the face plate. The label
paper has a sticky side, so care must be used when applying it to the
wood surface so as not to get it off center or any air bubbles or
wrinkles in it. The wood face plate is first varnished and sanded
smooth, then apply the label, then wait one day for the ink to dry and
then varnish to seal the label.
The shafts for the tuning of the sliders are made from 1/4 inch doll
rod. The string is actually bought at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods
section and is fly fishing nylon cord. The brass square stock I was
able to pick up from a local hobby shop and bought 2 sizes so that one
fits snugly over the other. About a 1 inch piece is used for the slider
with a part of a bobby pin as the actual contact to the coil. A bobby
pin is great because of it being ridged, but flexible and able to
maintain it's shape once bent to the configuration needed. The brass
rod for wiring the radio was also bought at the same hobby shop. A high
gloss varnish finished off the radio. It really makes a nice looking set.
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