160/80m Crystal Radio - Introduction

Joe, K8LKC, introduces his crystal radio capable of receiving CW and SSB signals on the 160 & 80 meter ham bands. Circuit uses variable capacitor tuning, high-Q coils with inductive coupling to a 1N34 diode detector. A Hartley beat-frequency oscilliator supplies an unmodulated local signal used to detect the CW/SSB signals. The product of the mixed local signal + incoming signal is audible at the speaker output.
This was the first time I ever heard a crystal receiver circuit used to tune in ham radio signals! Next, I will post a more detailed sample of the quality of the received CW (Morse) signals!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

This is very impressive, I know crystal sets will work on 80 and 160 but have never seen or heard it before. Thanks!

[@helraiser666painkil]

Your crystal receiver is brilliant and I didn't know that you could tune it down to the 160 and 80 meters that's very impressive and it is very sensitive picking up the CW and SSB signals it sounds really good and you've done a great job of putting it all together as well so well done and I hope you enjoy listening to the amateur radio bands. Stephen M3SNV 73's.

[@wa9kzy326]

Your crystal set seems to have outstanding selectivity. Good job!

[@brucegordon7248]

I've built ton's of crystal set's, never realizing that you could actually couple it to a simple hartley oscillator circuit and viola you now have a b.f.o. that's amazing!

[@chadcastagana9181]

Checkout mine, por favor

[@WiltshireMan]

Very impressive for such a simple setup. Sandy

[@MickLBrad]

Very nice!! I attempted this about 40 years ago, but couldn't get it to work. The detector and oscillator worked just fine independently, but just not together. Congratulations to your friend. 73 -- de Mick, WB4LSS

[@markbatten5178]

Brilliant!! Can you post the circuit or a link for the vfo you made and exactly how you coupled? for us goofballs. I got the crystal radio downpat and double tuned good litz coils tec. but am astonished that I been missing out on ssb.Nice Nice job sir.

[@marknesselhaus4376]

I made a very similar receiver for 160 and 80M but not as good looking as yours. It does work quite well for CW and SSB as you say. This video makes me want to dig out the parts and rebuild it again but better :-) For me I found that I not only had to peak the antenna but also add a inline trap for a pesky sw broadcaster.

[@treky97]

This is really cool. It would be really cool to build. Could you consider doing a how to build video?

[@NG9D]

Fred, thanks for your comment. Joe used to be a broadcast radio/TV engineer, and also trained in military RADAR. He has shared a lot of his knowledge with us hams. 73, Lynn NG9D

[@dennispeake1877]

Good morning Joe, the crystal sets have made there mark in history. Another interesting radio for home brewing, just with a few parts 160\80 awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@ys1rs]

Fantastic Joe! I love your crystal radio. There is nothing you can not do with it! Un abrazo Joe from YS Land. 73 de Rob. YS1RS

[@johnshaw3174]

ost interesting, but U/S without a circuit John.

[@benyakovkohenn4751]

Hi .is nice work but please how much turn you used in coil and diamètre of wire

[@rEdf196]

I use a home built 2 tube SW regenerative radio alongside my SW crystal set it works real well just like your home brew BFO.

[@kq6up]

The heartly is probably adding to the gain by regeneration. Any oscillator can act as a regenerative receiver. Very nice and stable.

[@G4HOM]

Nice one Joe, Just goes to show that with a good antenna you don't need much on the end of it. 73....Fred

[@m005kennedy]

I would like to have know what he had for an antenna. I assume he had a ham radio quality long 160 meter tunes antenna.

[@jimmcfall7769]

He said right at the beginning that he was using a 278 foot long wire antenna. I would have to rewatch the video to hear how he set it up. He mentioned using coax with it. Hope this helps. 73 de K9KXW

[@wb5oxq]

I am really surprised that there was enough sensitivity to make that work I know there are simple short wave receivers that have no rf amp but they do have if amplification. Your radio is very interesting. I doubt you can get very high up in the bands though.

[@daviddennison4201]

Love it! Thanks

[@ingussilins6330]

Iike a direct conversion receiver... If add galena detector and zinc negative resistance oscillator... made receiver without modern semiconductors...

[@chadcastagana9181]

A Homodyne (Synchrodyne) receiver?

[@Berghiker]

How did you make the high q coils?

[@CARL557511]

I like it, good job!

[@brucewayne-cave]

Outstanding Job !

[@Kcy101]

Thanks for the video, I wanted to build a Crystal radio for a while, but deff wanted it in the HAM band. ( i have a BFO ) And want to know if you have any specs for building something like this for 40 meters? KD2GXV

[@stevejustin]

could you please post the circuits, am very interested. thanks.

[@MickLBrad]

Steve Justin Joe K8LKC went SK in January 2016.

[@Troops-y6h]

whats sk m8?

[@locoman1963]

sk is short for silent key. which means he must have passed away

[@MickLBrad]

deryl Robinson I am sorry for just now noticing your question, but as +locoman1963 stated SK stands for "Silent Key" meaning the Ham operator has passed away and can no longer operate his telegraph, CW, key. I hope this helps. 73 -- de Mick, WB4LSS

[@RadioHamGuy]

Very nice project, good job!

[@WA8QFE]

The paragraph above said a 1N34, but appears to be a European point contact type, adjustable by the black knob on the right side. This is the type I use. Am I correct? Lee, WA8QFE

[@jorgecarvalho5236]

I think a variable capacitor in parallel with the main variable capacitor would greatly improve selectivity.

[@ChadHarzkeKK6DPE]

Do you have or can you make a schematic?? What are the spools on the post in the back?? THANKS

[@denisbeahan5261]

Very Excellent, indeed.....🤗 👍

[@roberthorseman7432]

Very much like a crude direct conversion receiver.

[@kb3svj]

Hi Lynn: For the crystal radio and Hartly JFET oscillator, does K8LKC have a net presence where we could find his designed for the set and the oscillator? Thx. 73 John KB3SVJ

[@MickLBrad]

kb3svj Joe K8LKC went SK in January 2016.

[@kb3svj]

Mick: Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear of his passing.

[@pp5cw]

HI again,, do you have the schematics ?

[@monarchham]

Hi guys. Any chance for a posted schematic of rcvr and oscillator? Vy cool video!!! 72 Herb/WR9H

[@amateurmange7565]

Very nice video.

[@Cristian-gu1st]

For all of you asking for a schematic, this is a simple direct conversion receiver. Another method to accomplish the same, is the Q-multiplier receiver. vk3ye has tested this type of receiver and has a schematic. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aprbZpqEp6-saKc

[@joeblow9126]

Heard no3m Great op and builder

[@quasarpulsarspark]

hello, can you share a schematic ? thank you

[@pp5cw]

Can't believe it... Wish I could make one

[@kel350]

Hi friend Good reception, in reality it is a direct conversion receiver! 73s de PY7NQ

[@chadcastagana9181]

0:20 1,800 kHz was a Police Dispatch frequency in the 1930's & 40's - - ? 3:00 I have a Mini-Speaker Amplifier from RADIO SHACK just like that one

[@MickLBrad]

Joe, K8LKC, went SK in January 2016.

[@freak55beat]

realy good, great !!!

[@stephenwilliams5201]

OK looking good. My favorite thing free radio. Have a vfo that I move around to run "am" short wave sets. Even a vfo helps pick signals out "am broad cast radio late nighs. Kinda pushes out co channel noise "Interference ". Verry light power works well. This kinda gives me a chance to get the call sign. Better. Tks for good shoe. De kv4li

[@miguelangelcorrea4853]

Estaria bueno que agregara el circuito del receptor regenerativo para poderlo armar. muchas gracias. CX3BW

[@jesusochoa4856]

Ya no puede amigo, arriba dice que murio en enero de 2016.

[@joeblow9126]

QEPD

[@BluesmanharpVintage]

Schematic please!!!

[@raypsi1]

That's better than my TS850 yea hi hi 73 OM de n8zu

[@Alex-nv7cf]

Direct conversion receiver

[@reese1011]

can i have it

[@allanegleston13]

lovely. sparks can you make that out sparks . :) 73 de kf6uxj

[@allanegleston13]

like

[@leiderwanwerreises5698]

é para 40 metros