Need some radio installation help?

I need help building a crystal radio!! Please help ! 10 points for best answer!?

• I need help building a crystal radio!! Please help ! 10 points for best answer!? I need help building a crystal radio!! I have to do this for the science fair. It is in a cafeteria on a small table. Ho will I set this up? Please help!!! http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/radio/loop_xtal_radio/loop_xtal_radio.html http://www.scitoyscatalog.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PORTABLERADIO&Category_Code=

• Answer:

  The most complicated part of the project will be the coil of wire. It recommends using the packing tape to hold it down, this will work, but I think the instructions call for it to be secured by tape at the ends, which could be a problem. It will hold the wire down ok, at the ends, but a little slack will make it slip, and hard to secure to the box. I would recommend securing it with the tape at intervals, like wind a few times around the box, and put pieces of tape every 4 - 6 inches, and then continue winding. It should hold it down long enough for you to secure it. If you have a helper, who can hold the box, while you work with the wire, he or she can hold it taut and make it a lot easier to keep it from going "haywire". The diode and capacitor will be fairly simple, if you follow the instructions. The thing about a diode is that it can only be hooked up one way, since it allows current to flow in only one direction. The current levels are very low, with an incoming radio signal, so there is no danger to the diode from being hooked up the wrong way the first time. As I remember it, I built a crystal set as part of an educational kit when I was in High School, that diode has bands on it which will tell you which end to connect to. Take your time with it and don't rush. Winding coils can be frustrating, and it is for people with long experience as well as beginners, but if you have patience, you should get a good result, and maybe an award. If you start to get angry at the kit ( I get angry at projects all the time) sit back and relax for a while, think about something else, and before you know it, your mind will wander back to the project, and you'll come up with a fresh approach.