Class/Workshop: How to Build a Crystal Radio

Class objective

To teach students basic radio theory and history, and basic fabrication techniques for simple electric circuits.

Class description

The student builds a crystal radio set, winding his own coils, drilling a mounting board and placing all components on it, and then wiring the set according to a schematic. In this course, the students learn radio history dating back to Marconi and Tesla, basic radio theory, modulation, how headphones work, and how to read schematics.

The completed project

Instructors:

Larry Pizzella: His custom radio design recently made him the first-prize winner in a national contest for crystal radio set distance reception

Age range: 10 to 14

Maximum class size: 16 students

Related web sites

Crystal Radio Resources

The Xtal Set Society

Recommended reading

All about Crystal Sets: How to Build Crystal Set Radios
Charles Green ISBN:0930003004, 1984

The Crystal Set Handbook and Xtal Set Society Newsletter
Philip N. Anderson, Xtal Set Society, ISBN:1887736034, 1994

Radios That Work for Free
K. E. Edwards, 1977(Available through the Xtal Set Society)

Registration must be completed 2 weeks prior to start of class.