Contact Info: Larry Tell 2840 Woodcrest Dr. St. Paul MN 55112 ____________________ Email: Larry@tellengineering.com

I purchased this Crystal radio at a recent swap meet.  I think it is a really nice example of a Crystal radio.  The builder did a great job. This radio uses a semiconductor diode, 1N34A in place of the crystal detector so perhaps it is not entirely correct to call it a crystal radio. Most collectors use the term "Crystal Radio" for a radio like this that draws its power from an antenna and uses a semiconductor detector.  This radio has built in teminals that would allow true crystal detector to be easily connected in place of the diode. The crystal detector in most vintage crystal radios consisted of a small pot (as shown in this picture) with galena (lead sulfide) crystal and a cat whisker that could be moved around the galena crystal until a good detector location was found.  The detectors worked well but were a bit tricky to use and needed occasional adjustment.  Semiconductor detectors are much more convenient and consistent in operation.

_{copyright (c) 2025 Larry Tell, All Rights Reserved}