TheRadioBoard

MY FIRST RADIO

When I asked my dad if I could buy the Rocket radio on the back of the cereal box his reply was “it probably wouldn’t work here”.
When Christmas came around I found this crystal set in the Wards or Sears special catalog. I requested it and much to my surprise I got it. I think they had more trust in that catalog than Battle Creek.
I hung out of my bedroom window on the second floor and ran a wire to the power line ground wire.
I had no antenna but I was able to get WCCO and WCMP out of Pine City. Not too bad from our farm outside of Hinckley Minnesota. I think it was the year that the Chipmunks debuted.
If I connected it to the television lead in the living room the volume shot up
I still get a thrill out of crystal sets.

> I still get a thrill out of crystal sets.

That's why we build 'em! Why not have a shot at a new set yourself?

73, J.B., VE3EAR

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To be where I am, I had to leave where I was!

Ken,

Glad to see you are still around

Those Rocket Radios were fun, weren't they?

Mike

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I like the K-I-S-S Principle: "Keep It Sane & Simple"
http://www.peeblesoriginals.com

Hey Kc,

Yup, crystal sets are a LOT of fun. I recently did nice "dxpedition" to NH using a Johnson Smith "Spy Pen" radio. LOTS of LOUD DX ( particularly NYC stations ) out to around 300 or 400 mi.

Those little rocket radios can be modified to into MUCH better performance (see crystaradio.net). But I don't know if I'd mod an OLD one(re keeping it's antique value), I'd go with the new retro reproduction ones.

K