Crystal Radio Set
Maker and role
S G Brown Limited, Manufacturer
Object detail
Accession number
2023.110
Maker
Production period
Description
Crystal Radio Set.
Part 1: Crystal radio consisting of a wooden base with vertical wooden panel at the front. On the front panel, there are four metal clips and a black plastic tuning knob. At the back of the vertical panel, corresponding the the clips at the front, there are four bolts. The upper two bolts have wire connected to them. Behind the tuning knob, there is a tuning capacitor with wire connected to it. The wires connect to a red barrel around which the wire is wound. On the right, there is a detector comprised of a rod and small pot with a crystal in it mounted on a metal base attached to the wood.
Part 2: Headset consisting of a metal headband with headphones attached at either end. The headphones are attached to the headband on an adjustable metal rod with a circular end through which the headphones have been set. Headphones are brown and have "S. G. BROWN LTD / TYPE F" printed on them. From the front of the headphones, a woven textile cord extends. The cords converge and form a singular cable which ends in two wires.
Part 3: Cardboard box lid covered with pink and white patterned paper. On the top of the lid, there is a paper label with "OXFORD / CRYSTAL SET / KIT OF PARTS" printed.
Part 4: Cardboard box base covered with pink and white patterned paper.
Part 5: Wire with textile casing around it. At one end of the wire, there is a metal clip
Part 1: Crystal radio consisting of a wooden base with vertical wooden panel at the front. On the front panel, there are four metal clips and a black plastic tuning knob. At the back of the vertical panel, corresponding the the clips at the front, there are four bolts. The upper two bolts have wire connected to them. Behind the tuning knob, there is a tuning capacitor with wire connected to it. The wires connect to a red barrel around which the wire is wound. On the right, there is a detector comprised of a rod and small pot with a crystal in it mounted on a metal base attached to the wood.
Part 2: Headset consisting of a metal headband with headphones attached at either end. The headphones are attached to the headband on an adjustable metal rod with a circular end through which the headphones have been set. Headphones are brown and have "S. G. BROWN LTD / TYPE F" printed on them. From the front of the headphones, a woven textile cord extends. The cords converge and form a singular cable which ends in two wires.
Part 3: Cardboard box lid covered with pink and white patterned paper. On the top of the lid, there is a paper label with "OXFORD / CRYSTAL SET / KIT OF PARTS" printed.
Part 4: Cardboard box base covered with pink and white patterned paper.
Part 5: Wire with textile casing around it. At one end of the wire, there is a metal clip
Brief History
Crystal radios are the simplest form of radio receiving technology. Due to their basic nature they have persisted despite significant advances in radio technology and is often a gateway for hobbyists and enthusiasts to engage with the basics of radio.
By utilising the energy of incoming radio waves no battery or additional power source is required to make the radio work. This type of radio is named for its use of a mineral crystal detector. A mineral such as Galena or Germanium is used due to its semiconducting properties. Incoming radio waves induce an alternating current in the radio’s aerial. When this current passes through the crystal detector the current is rectified to a direct current. This in turn vibrates the earphone diaphragm to reproduce the transmitted sound based on the modulating amplitude of the incoming signal.
This particular radio is a simple kitset model from the 1950s. The main components are a tuning coil, variable capacitor, and detector crystal. Connecting the circuit to various points on the tuning coil allows the user to tune the radio and pick up different frequencies. The crystal detector is of the cat-whisker type. The unit is listened to via a set of earphones.
By utilising the energy of incoming radio waves no battery or additional power source is required to make the radio work. This type of radio is named for its use of a mineral crystal detector. A mineral such as Galena or Germanium is used due to its semiconducting properties. Incoming radio waves induce an alternating current in the radio’s aerial. When this current passes through the crystal detector the current is rectified to a direct current. This in turn vibrates the earphone diaphragm to reproduce the transmitted sound based on the modulating amplitude of the incoming signal.
This particular radio is a simple kitset model from the 1950s. The main components are a tuning coil, variable capacitor, and detector crystal. Connecting the circuit to various points on the tuning coil allows the user to tune the radio and pick up different frequencies. The crystal detector is of the cat-whisker type. The unit is listened to via a set of earphones.
Marks
S. G. BROWN LTD / TYPE F Printed
OXFORD / CRYSTAL SET / KIT OF PARTS Printed
OXFORD / CRYSTAL SET / KIT OF PARTS Printed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
S G Brown Limited. Crystal Radio Set, 2023.110. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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