Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

  Many years ago I tried making and using a short wave crystal set. It is on my website.  As you can see, it does not cost much to have fun....

Many of us "cut our teeth" by making crystal sets on medium wave to receive a local station. As you know, crystal sets require no ...

Wondering about upgrading my rig, but can't get on with these new fangled things, HI. 

This is a circuit I have never built. It was in QST some years ago and uses a zero bias MOSFET to give better sensitivity. You may want to h...

One facet of HF radio that you may want to try for fun is DXing with a crystal set where all the power comes from the TX.  Although you are ...

Many years ago I tried this. Most reception was of HF broadcast stations, but, surprisingly, some amateur stations too. I am sure, with some...

It is some years since I last tried this, but it was fun.  Although it is possible to envelope detect amateur stations if strong enough, ide...

When I retired in 2008 I was bought a Gecophone crystal set as a leaving present. This is almost 100 years old and still works. It is in a p...

Some years ago I tried my hand at crystal set DXing on HF. Results surprised me. I was even able to envelope detect some SSB amateur signals...

The ARRL website has much to commend it, including this article that was in QST some years ago on a high sensitivity crystal set using a zer...

It is some years now since I last played with crystal sets. If you have never tried these I urge you to have a go. These are powered entir...

Some years ago QST had a circuit for a better crystal set that used a MOSFET. I have never tried this, but I should. It is supposed to be mo...

Shortwave broadcasting has changed a lot in recent years as more switch to the internet to get their message across. The internet is lower...

Several broadcasters are leaving MW, instead concentrating on FM, DAB or the internet. The latest reported via Southgate News is a Belgia...

Firstly, I should say I have not built this, but it looks interesting. See  http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/culter.pdf

A great deal of fun can be had with the simplest of receivers. I had some great fun DXing with a shortwave crystal set. These days, there...

OK, a confession: it is a long time since I last listened with a shortwave crystal set. One thing is certain: at the right time it is pos...

This is not as easy as it once was as there are fewer English language AM broadcast stations left on the traditional shortwave broadcast b...

It is some years since I last made a crystal set, but I well recall a UK book called "The Boy's Book of Crystal Sets" which ...

Yes, it is possible to hear a long way on a crystal set. The equipment needed can be extremely simple too.  What is needed are a good pai...