Crystal radio - Revision history

Rational Point: /* Notes */ tuning cap

2026-05-18T04:22:29Z

Notes: tuning cap

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:22, 18 May 2026
Line 22:		Line 22:
	Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.		Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

	There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies. And remember, in the language of the banditos, silver is always something given, while lead is something received, so, in that language, a system of silver or lead is capable of transmitting or receiving, but probably not both at the same time. And the systems that were powered were probably powered by silver oxide or lead acid batteries. One may assume those men were skilled at silversmithing, early photography and electroplating, etc.		There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies. And remember, in the language of the banditos, silver is always something given, while lead is something received, so, in that language, a system of silver or lead is capable of transmitting or receiving, but probably not both at the same time. And the systems that were powered were probably powered by silver oxide or lead acid batteries. One may assume that those men were skilled at silversmithing, early photography and electroplating, etc.

	=== The cat’s whisker ===		=== The cat’s whisker ===
Line 28:		Line 28:
	A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.		A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

	There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.		There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors. The 36.5–365pF denomination of capacitor in the circuit appears to be available as a high power commercial radio station transmitter tuning capacitor, but quite expensive and somewhat difficult to explain or justify for an unpowered receive-only crystal radio set …

Rational Point: titles

2026-05-06T04:49:11Z

titles

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:49, 6 May 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:

	The listening device could be any basic earbud or one of a pair of good quality earbuds salvaged if the other is damaged or broken. Special high impedance earbuds are sold specifically for crystal radio sets.		The listening device could be any basic earbud or one of a pair of good quality earbuds salvaged if the other is damaged or broken. Special high impedance earbuds are sold specifically for crystal radio sets.

			=== The crystal ===

	Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.		Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

	There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies. And remember, in the language of the banditos, silver is always something given, while lead is something received, so, in that language, a system of silver or lead is capable of transmitting or receiving.		There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies. And remember, in the language of the banditos, silver is always something given, while lead is something received, so, in that language, a system of silver or lead is capable of transmitting or receiving, but probably not both at the same time. And the systems that were powered were probably powered by silver oxide or lead acid batteries. One may assume those men were skilled at silversmithing, early photography and electroplating, etc.

			=== The cat’s whisker ===

	A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.		A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

	There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.		There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.

Rational Point: language of the banditos

2026-05-06T04:41:32Z

language of the banditos

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:41, 6 May 2026
Line 20:		Line 20:
	Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.		Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

	There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies.		There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies. And remember, in the language of the banditos, silver is always something given, while lead is something received, so, in that language, a system of silver or lead is capable of transmitting or receiving.

	A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.		A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

	There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.		There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.

Rational Point: Heart of Stone

2026-05-06T00:14:20Z

Heart of Stone

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:14, 6 May 2026
Line 20:		Line 20:
	Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.		Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

	There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies.		There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten <ref>Heart of Stone. https://www.sparkmuseum.org/heart-of-stone/</ref> and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies.

	A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.		A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

	There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.		There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.

Rational Point: Banditos of the 1800s had two-way radios

2026-05-05T21:33:59Z

Banditos of the 1800s had two-way radios

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 5 May 2026
Line 20:		Line 20:
	Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.		Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

	There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the modus operandi of organized crime cartels.		There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the ''modus operandi'' of organized crime cartels. The use of radio equipment to communicate of course implies some organization of activities of some sort, but not necessarily criminal. “Un sistema de plata o plomo” would be a catchphrase for an early type of crystal radio set, probably powered and capable of transmitting as well as receiving, the perceived criminality of it relating to the spread of gossip at lightning speed. Early radio communications technology may have in use in rural Mexico and the Wild West of the U.S. long before it was acknowledged to have been invented. Banditos, by communicating over long distances, knew instantly when strangers rode into town and when and where to organize their attacks and robberies.

	A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.		A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

	There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.		There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.

Rational Point: Spanish expression

2026-05-05T01:23:57Z

Spanish expression

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:23, 5 May 2026
Line 19:		Line 19:

	Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.		Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

			There is an expression in Spanish, “‘la ley’ o ‘el sistema’ de plata o plomo” that describes the theory of operation of these crystal diodes, although, nowadays, crystal diodes are mostly forgotten and that expression is more used as a metaphor to describe the modus operandi of organized crime cartels.

	A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.		A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

	There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.		There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.

Rational Point: notes

2026-05-05T00:10:00Z

notes

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:10, 5 May 2026
Line 11:		Line 11:

	If the variable capacitance is ''reduced'' to 36.5 pF, then the resonant frequency will be increased to 1700.46649 kilohertz, the other end of the popular AM broadcast radio band, which is about exactly half a decade wide, spanning a ratio of √10 on the radio spectrum.		If the variable capacitance is ''reduced'' to 36.5 pF, then the resonant frequency will be increased to 1700.46649 kilohertz, the other end of the popular AM broadcast radio band, which is about exactly half a decade wide, spanning a ratio of √10 on the radio spectrum.

			== Notes ==

			The circuit shows a ground. It would not typically be considered necessary to physically connect the circuit to the earth at that point, but, as this is an unamplified radio receiver powered solely by the energy of broadcast radio waves hitting the antenna, it may be possible and convenient to draw more power from the antenna if the circuit is physically grounded at the other end of the inductor coil. Otherwise the other pole of a dipole antenna might be connected at that point.

			The listening device could be any basic earbud or one of a pair of good quality earbuds salvaged if the other is damaged or broken. Special high impedance earbuds are sold specifically for crystal radio sets.

			Crystal diodes have been made out of razor blades, pencil leads, safety pins, etc. The original "crystal" was a galena (lead or silver sulfide) crystal with the anode soldered in place with an alloy of bismuth, lead, tin and cadmium called "Wood’s Metal." A normal tin-lead solder alloy or even leaded or lead-free silver-bearing solder is probably adequate, since cadmium is even more toxic than lead.

			A very fine sharp wire called a “cat’s whisker” is allowed to touch the surface of the galena crystal where it will allow electrons to pass into the crystal but it will not be able to pick up any electrons from the crystal. (The solder alloy bonded to the other side of the crystal will pick up and conduct electrons freely.) Commercially available “cat’s whisker” diodes are typically encased in clear glass and sold as “fast recovery” diodes.

			There are many interesting ways to make inductors and variable or fixed capacitors.

Rational Point: minor edits

2026-04-19T17:56:42Z

minor edits

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:56, 19 April 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Building a simple crystal radio is, or ought to be, a basic survival skill.		Building a simple AM crystal radio is, or ought to be, a basic survival skill.

	This circuit <ref>All About Circuits. ''Textbook // Semiconductors // Practical Analog Semiconductor Circuits // Radio Circuits.'' https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-9/radio-circuits/</ref>		This circuit <ref>All About Circuits. ''Textbook // Semiconductors // Practical Analog Semiconductor Circuits // Radio Circuits.'' https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-9/radio-circuits/</ref>
	shows an antenna tuned with an inductor of 240μH and a variable capacitor of ~~365pF~~.		shows an antenna tuned with an inductor of 240μH and a variable capacitor of 365 pF.

	[[File:Crystal-radio.png\|frame\|center\|Simple crystal radio circuit]]		[[File:Crystal-radio.png\|frame\|center\|Simple crystal radio circuit]]

	The resonant frequency for this tuning ~~will be~~ about		The resonant frequency for this tuning with the variable capacitor set at 365 pF starts at about

	:''f'' = 1 / 2π√(LC) =~ 537.73472 kilohertz		:''f'' = 1 / 2π√(LC) =~ 537.73472 kilohertz

	If the variable capacitance is reduced to 36.~~5pF~~, then the resonant frequency will be increased to 1700.46649 kilohertz, the other end of the popular AM broadcast radio band, which is about exactly half a decade wide, spanning a ratio of √10 on the radio spectrum.		If the variable capacitance is ''reduced'' to 36.5 pF, then the resonant frequency will be increased to 1700.46649 kilohertz, the other end of the popular AM broadcast radio band, which is about exactly half a decade wide, spanning a ratio of √10 on the radio spectrum.

Rational Point: Simple crystal radio circuit

2026-04-19T17:53:12Z

Simple crystal radio circuit

New page

Building a simple crystal radio is, or ought to be, a basic survival skill.

This circuit <ref>All About Circuits. ''Textbook // Semiconductors // Practical Analog Semiconductor Circuits // Radio Circuits.'' https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/semiconductors/chpt-9/radio-circuits/</ref>
shows an antenna tuned with an inductor of 240μH and a variable capacitor of 365pF.

[[File:Crystal-radio.png|frame|center|Simple crystal radio circuit]]

The resonant frequency for this tuning will be about

:''f'' = 1 / 2π√(LC) =~ 537.73472 kilohertz

If the variable capacitance is reduced to 36.5pF, then the resonant frequency will be increased to 1700.46649 kilohertz, the other end of the popular AM broadcast radio band, which is about exactly half a decade wide, spanning a ratio of √10 on the radio spectrum.