Crystal-radio chassis — 3D-printable model preview

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Electronics & robotics Advanced

Crystal-radio chassis

Build a radio that needs no battery and plays AM stations from the radio waves alone

A radio with no battery, no plug and no power at all: the radio waves themselves drive the earpiece. Wind a coil on the tall tube, screw the aerial, ground, diode and earpiece wires to the six terminal holes, and slide a wire along the coil to tune in. This is how people listened in the 1920s, and how soldiers built "foxhole radios" from razor blades in the Second World War. It is quiet and magical: a voice from far away out of nothing.

Customize this model

Size (Base A): 160 × 100 × 25 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 74.7 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 92.7 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Electronics & robotics
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 71 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 160 × 100 × 25 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
6 holes in the floor
Engraved text: “ANT”, “GND”, “EAR”
One more base built on (Base B)
Base B: round, Ø 50 mm, 90 mm tall (beside)

How to print it

Wind about 60 turns of 0.3 mm enamelled wire on the tube; use a 1N34A germanium diode, a crystal earpiece, 20 m of aerial wire and a ground to a metal water pipe.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

Filament: at most about 92.7 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $1.85 at $20 per kg); normal infill uses less.

To get the files, open it in the generator and choose File › Download STL (one file per part) or Download 3MF (every part on one plate).

Questions

What size is the crystal-radio chassis model?

The crystal-radio chassis model measures 160 × 100 × 25 mm (width × depth × height). That is Base A; one more base is built on. You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Wind about 60 turns of 0.3 mm enamelled wire on the tube; use a 1N34A germanium diode, a crystal earpiece, 20 m of aerial wire and a ground to a metal water pipe. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 92.7 g of PLA (74.7 cm³ printed solid), roughly $1.85 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

Can I change it?

Yes. Open it in the SO3D.xyz generator (free, in your browser), change the size, walls, dividers, holes, text or anything else, then download it as STL or 3MF for your slicer.

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Make it fit your space

Change the size, walls, dividers, holes and labels of the crystal-radio chassis model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model