60 hz xtal radio

[Lee]

Many years ago an neighbor built what reminded me of a crytal radio in
that it had a many turn loop antenna, tunable capacitor, and a diode.
(It could have been a bridge) It was tuned for 60hz and it charged a
capacitor just from the 60 hz field in his garage. The loop antenna
was wound on an X frame of wood with a fine magnet type wire.

I lost contact with him years ago so I'm unable to ask him. I have a
limited understanding of LC circuits and crystal radios. I would like
to build such an item. Can anyone help or point me in the right
direction.

Thanks,
Lee

 

[Winston]

Lee wrote:

Many years ago an neighbor built what reminded me of a crytal radio in
that it had a many turn loop antenna, tunable capacitor, and a diode.
(It could have been a bridge) It was tuned for 60hz and it charged a
capacitor just from the 60 hz field in his garage.

(...)

Have a look at this:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_4/14.html

--Winston

 

[bj]

"Lee" <lee_thalle@beer.com> wrote in message
news:1103001915.940576.150880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

Many years ago an neighbor built what reminded me of a crytal radio in
that it had a many turn loop antenna, tunable capacitor, and a diode.
(It could have been a bridge) It was tuned for 60hz and it charged a
capacitor just from the 60 hz field in his garage. The loop antenna
was wound on an X frame of wood with a fine magnet type wire.

I lost contact with him years ago so I'm unable to ask him. I have a
limited understanding of LC circuits and crystal radios. I would like
to build such an item. Can anyone help or point me in the right
direction.

Thanks,
Lee

I use to play around with crystal sets and like you I recall seeing
schematics
for such a radio, but like you, I would not know where to begin looking for
such an item today. If you forward bias a germanium diode with even a
small
voltage it will greatly increase the diodes sensitivity. With a good
antenna you
can pick up clear channel (50Kwatts) readio stations all over the United
States.