Rough Science . Radio Challenge

Series 1: Mediterranean

Series 3: New Zealand

Series 4: Death Valley

The Challenge: Make a radio from a saucepan

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Making the Radio: The Detector and Earpiece

The device that holds, and makes the electrical connection to, the galena crystal consists of a small home-made spring, a bolt and a set of washers and nuts. The crystal should be positioned so that one of its faces can make contact with a fine, coiled wire attached to connector A. Move the free end of this wire around on the crystal's surface to get the best signal. This is very much trial and error, and requires a lot of patience.

galena crystal and holder
galena crystal and its holder

The earpiece should be wired in to the crystal holder and to connector E.

The antenna

Major funding for Rough Science was provided by the National Science Foundation. Corporate funding was provided by Subaru.