The Idaho recorder., 1922-08-11
HOMEMADE RADIO
RECEIVING SET

A practical receiving set can be
made at home for anywhere from So
to $l5. The total cost depends on the
quality of materials purchased and the
number of parts actually made. Any
one familiar with tools can construct
a set very cheaply. The apparatus
that We describe IN series OF five ar
ticles, of which this Is the first, is
recommended by the U. S. bureau of
standards, especially for the beginner.
Ii will catch messages within radius
of so miles where the sending sta
tions are using 200 to 600-meter wave
lengths. We will tell you, step by
step, how to use your spare time to
construct a receiving set like the one
used by this government bureau at
Washington TO pick up music, talks,
etc, broadcasted as far as Detroit.
The following list shows the mate
rials needed and their approximate
cost If bought in city or by mail
froma radio house: For the aerial or
antennae--100 to $50 feet of No. IA
or l6 bare or insulated copper wire, is
required, costing rs cents; also u or
y inch rope, two cents per foot lin
amount needed); two porcelain insu-
lators, 20 cents; one single block pull
ley, 10 cents; one lightning switch
go ampere battery switch, 80 cents.
and one porcelain tube, 10 cents. For
ground connection~-wire (same as an
tennae) in amount needed; two
clamps, 30 cents, and one iron pipe or
rod, % cents.
For receiving set-three ounces OF
No. - copper wire, double cotton COW
cred, 10 cents; one round cardboard
box, Coatmeal container will do); two
switch knobs and blades complete, 81;
la switch contacts and nuts, S5 cents;
three binding posts, set-screw type. 45
cents; two binding posts, any type, 30
Icents; one crystal (tested) 25 cents; !;
three wool screws (brass) u of an
inch long; three cents; two wood
screws for fastening panel to base,
two cents; wood for panels (from an
ordinary packing box) two pounds of
parafiin, 80 cents; electric light cord
at two or three cents foot lin
amount neededl; test buzzer. 80 cents: !:
dry battery, 30 cents, and a pair OF
dry battery, 30 cents. and pair Of
telephone receivers, prices of which
range from 81 TO $40 pair.
Before starting to make the set il
Is we'll TO get these essential parts
firmly fixed in your mind. The radio
signals come into your set through
the aerial and ground connection. In
the receiving set proper they are con-
vertei into an electric current which
produces sound in the ear receivers.
The lightning switch (which will be
described laterl protects the set and
your house from being struck by light
ming. When the set is not in use this
switch is thrown to connect the aerial
directly with the ground and not with
the set itself. In that way the light
ming will be directed into the ground.
In effect the aerial and ground con-
nection act as a lightning rod.
The receiving set consists Of two
principal paris-the tuner and the
'detector" A. succeeding articles ap-
pear take them up in orler. following
directions closely. Beginning with the
next article We will print working
diagram with each one 50 a. % assist
the reader. Do not ak que stions. The
instructions are such a. 20 enable any-
one to construct a practical set. So be
sure 10 save all issues SO that you can
refer back 20 previous number and
correct your own mistakeE.-PG PGttfnd-
CT.