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Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Tool suggestions, soldering tips, general useful electronics knowhow.
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JezC
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Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by JezC »

Hi all,

My good lady has recently expressed her interest in building a crystal radio for herself, preferably following a proven design (as, by her own admission, she has basically no electronics skills or background)

So, on the off-chance that someone knows of a kit or design (e.g. from an old magazine or similar) I thought I'd ask here before spending too much time searching through fake AI results ;)

Any guidance would be most welcome

TIA
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exxos
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Re: Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by exxos »

For a beginner, I'd suggest a cheap electronics kit...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by rubber_jonnie »

So further to my PM, this sort of thing is great for a beginner:

IMG20260205095428.jpg
IMG20260205095428.jpg (368.62 KiB) Viewed 85 times

And this also has instructions and talks about the circuit a little:

IMG20260205095408.jpg
IMG20260205095408.jpg (344.97 KiB) Viewed 85 times

This is my own 150 in 1 kit.

They are great kits if a little expensive, but this one isn't bad: 60 in 1 electronic project kit

One thing though if you do look for something like this, make sure it has the manual. the wires and earphone can easily be replaced but the manual is much harder to find
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by exxos »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:04 am They are great kits if a little expensive, but this one isn't bad: [url=https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286952103471?
I had that exact same one :) The antenna melted on mine mysteriously :)

I had a smaller brown PCB version, can't find any images of it though on the internet.
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Re: Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by rubber_jonnie »

exxos wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:19 am
rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:04 am They are great kits if a little expensive, but this one isn't bad: [url=https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286952103471?
I had that exact same one :) The antenna melted on mine mysteriously :)

I had a smaller brown PCB version, can't find any images of it though on the internet.
I just noticed the earpiece is missing from my set so I need to find one.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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Re: Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by exxos »

rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 11:00 am I just noticed the earpiece is missing from my set so I need to find one.
It's a shame I chucked away a near new 160 in one kit last year :roll:

I'm sure you can find the part on aliexpress or similar, probably get 10 for a quid these days :lol:
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Re: Crystal Radio kit suggestions

Post by rubber_jonnie »

exxos wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 11:03 am
rubber_jonnie wrote: Thu Feb 05, 2026 11:00 am I just noticed the earpiece is missing from my set so I need to find one.
It's a shame I chucked away a near new 160 in one kit last year :roll:

I'm sure you can find the part on aliexpress or similar, probably get 10 for a quid these days :lol:
I may have one in a box under my desk, will look in a bit.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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