Make a Foxhole Radio - Weekend Project PDFcast

Sany0053-1

The first time I tried this, it didn't work. It was frustrating, but I just went through my materials, blued the razor blade and it worked. The second time I tried to get it to work, I couldn't get a station, I just got buzz. I played with everything and finally figured out that the ground connection wasn't very good. When I fixed that, I was able to hear sports talk radio! One of the interesting things is that it works better or worse depending on where you put the pencil lead on the razor blade. If it doesn't work the first time, don't give up! Every project you work on can have 100% success as long as you don't mind mistakes and redoing things!

Download the PDF to get the full instructions! - PDF Link

Posted by Bre Pettis | Sep 14, 2007 08:35 AM
MAKE PDF, MAKE Podcast, Weekend Projects | Permalink | Comments (9) | Email This | Bookmark and Share | Digg this!

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Posted by: Antique on September 14, 2007 at 6:50 PM

A 'regular' low impedance earphone will not work in this circuit. Find a high impedance [ 2000 ohm] or a crystal earphone . see link:
http://www.midnightscience.com/catalog5.html


Posted by: arvash on September 14, 2007 at 11:20 PM

To change the station, or tune it you'll need a variable resistor. Here's a way I found to make one from a sheet of paper, pencil and 2 paperclips. The black rectangle needs to be very dark.

http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0915014211gs2.jpg
^-- taken with my phone.. so bear with the quality.

Move the paperclip to tune the radio.


Posted by: mikiex on September 14, 2007 at 11:57 PM

arvash, I'm pretty sure you mean a variable capacitor
thats what most radios use for tuning


Posted by: arvash on September 15, 2007 at 6:58 AM

@mikiex ahhh I see.. if that's true than my variable resistor shouldn't work >>... You can make a variable capacitor by using a book and 2 sheets of aluminum foil. Seperate the two sheets of aluminum foil by a page or so. Press the book together for higher capacitance, release a bit for lower capacitance. I think I get why you can't use a variable resistor here.


Posted by: texbrandt on September 15, 2007 at 8:25 AM

must some telepathy going on. I was just thinking about the razor blade radio I made 45 years ago. You could buy blued razor blades then. it worked quite well considering

texbrandt


Posted by: phildavi on September 15, 2007 at 9:41 PM

We used to do something like this in 1960's.Worth doing this again to show the kids with iPod!


Posted by: DASO on September 17, 2007 at 7:06 AM

Hi, I want to try to make it but can I use a razor like this one
http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/b/br/brokenarts/435178_razor_blade.jpg

and thanx


Posted by: TyrusCobb on December 28, 2007 at 9:32 PM

Much easier to wind the magnetic wire with hand drill. Mount a dowel on the bit and toilet tube on the dowel and wind away. A lot less tedious and no wild windings like with that drill press in the video. If you can't heat up a razor to blue it you can always try a rusty razor,(just don't nick yourself with it... lock-jaw and all that) if I'm not mistaken its the oxidation of the metal that allows the process to work.


Posted by: h on February 4, 2008 at 6:24 AM

ggfffffffffff


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