SMALL CIRCUITSCOLLECTION

The output is delivered by a current source. But if you prefer
a voltage source as output, then the signal at the emitter of T2
can be used instead. Note that the output has a DC offset, so
make sure that any equipment that is connected can cope with
that. If that is not the case, connect an electrolytic capacitor in
the signal path.
The circuit operates from a regulated power supply voltage
of 5 V. This can be according the usual 7805 recipe with as
input power source a 300-mA mains adapter that can supply
at least 8 V out. If you make use of the PCB layout shown
here, then the construction is unlikely to take you more than
half an hour or so. The PCB is unfortunately not available
ready-made.
(014118-1)

Valve Detector Receiver 019

s EAA91
d1 d2 f
f k2

d2 s

k1 d1

EAA91 k1 f f k2 024088 - 12

k
f
a
6V3
f

1M
crystal
500p 1p
earpiece

024088 - 11

B. Kainka tion of this can also be seen in the photo.

The valve detector receiver is the logical extension of the crys-
tal detector. This circuit can achieve astonishingly good selec-
tivity, since the rectifier circuit is designed to have very high
impedance. The valve detector receiver can be connected to
an active PC speaker or a crystal earphone, for example, and
it generates genuine ‘valve sound’.
The EAA91 is a dual diode with a 6 V / 300 mA filament.
In contrast to a semiconductor diode made of germanium or
silicon, it does not require a minimum voltage (threshold volt-
age) to arrive at the knee of its characteristic curve. In fact,
some electrons will reach the anode even if there is no anode
voltage present. A short-circuit current of around 30 µA can
be measured. A voltage of no less than 0.5 V appears across
a load resistance of 1 MΩ. The valve itself generates a suitable
bias voltage.
As can be seen from the photo, the coil is wound in the
form of a close-wound coil on a piece of PVC conduit with a
diameter of 15ter enamelled copper wire. If the full number of
turns is used, the tuning range of the rotary variable capaci-
tor essentially covers the medium-wave band. To extend the
range to higher frequencies in the low and medium short-
wave bands (above around 1.5 MHz), a tuneable version of
the coil can be constructed using an adjustable tap (slider), as
shown in the schematic diagram. The practical implementa-
The variable capacitor does not have a fixed connection to
both ends of the coil, but only to the grounded end of the
winding. The aerial terminal of the variable capacitor is con-
nected to a movable coil tap (slider). To obtain an adjustable
connection to the coil, carefully sand the top surface of the
coil to remove the enamel coating along the path of the slider.
The sliding contact consists of a small brass or steel ring. It
can be made by cutting a short length (approximately 3 mm)
from a metallic tube with a diameter of around 8 mm, which
can be found ready-made in electronics parts catalogues
under the category of ‘assembly materials’ in the form of a
nickel-plated standoff. The guide can be formed by a strip of
plastic or rubber stretched over the length of the coil and
attached to each end of the PVC tube (drill fastening holes in
the ends of the tube for this purpose). Use a length of flexible,
insulated stranded wire soldered to the slider roller to connect
the slider to the aerial terminal of the variable capacitor.
The capacitance of the rotary tuning capacitor is 500 pF.
A large number of European transmitters can be received
using a wire aerial with a length of around 5 m. Reception for
transmitters in the short-wave bands is good during both the
daytime and evening hours, but for medium-wave transmit-
ters it is usually best in the evening.
(024088-1)

12/2002 Elektor Electronics 53