23 June 2007

9:30 AM – 4 PM

at

The InfoAge Science/History Learning Center,

2201 Marconi Rd., Wall Township, NJ.

- Learn about crystal radios.

- Listen to our crystal sets.

- Show off your crystal set, old or new.

- Build your own crystal set.

For more than 100 years, ordinary people have been building their own radio receivers that work without the use of batteries or connection to an AC outlet. These radio sets work by using a solid-state device to rectify the radio-frequency current captured by the antenna. In the earliest sets, this diode took the form of a mineral crystal in contact with a fine wire know as a cat’s whisker.

<> <> This event will give you the opportunity to

share the magic of crystal-set building. The club will supply a kit of parts and technical assistance to construct the New Jersey Antique Radio Club “Pretty Good Xtal Set,” a design by noted crystal-set guru Al Klase. Participants will wind their own tuning coil, and assemble approximately ten components into a working receiver. Children 10 and older, accompanied and assisted by an adult are welcome. If you have electronic hand tools: wire cutters, long-nosed pliers, screwdrivers, a soldering iron, etc. bring them along.

<> General admission is free, but there is a $15 participation fee for each crystal set kit. The number of kits is limited, so please contact Al Klase, al@ar88.net, 908-782-4829, to reserve a kit. This will be a day-long event. Registration for those building sets will open at 9:30 AM, and an orientation will follow at 10:00. The seminar will run until 4:00 PM. Bring a bag lunch, or chip in for pizza. Those not building radios are welcome to drop in at any time.
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The Radio you can build

Page updated April 29, 2007 Page created April 29, 2007

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