Vectronics VEC-121K - Manual (Page 3)

VEC-121K Owner's Manual Crystal Radio Set Kit
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INTRODUCTION
Relive those bygone days of radio--a time almost 90 years ago, when early radio
pioneers experimented with crystal radio receivers! Wind your own “inductor”
coil, wire up the earliest radio circuit; and, there’s no soldering needed!
Everything is assembled on a pine “breadboard”, just like great, great granddad
did when he was a youngster. Learn about basic radio theory. Put up an antenna
(wire included), connect a ground, and experience the magic of a radio that
needs no power. A special high-sensitivity earphone allows you to hear AM
Broadcast signals from many miles away; this little baby really performs. The
VEC-121K is a fascinating project for youngsters of all ages!
The VEC-121K features a modern “fixed detector”, eliminating the need for
frequent and frustrating catwhisker adjustments. A large, Hi-Q antenna coil, and
a modern miniature Hi-Q tuning capacitor, are used for best sensitivity and
selectivity. The high-impedance parallel-resonant tuning circuit allows a short
receiving antenna to deliver maximum signal to the set.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Having the right tool to do a job always makes things go better. There is no
soldering required, and only a few basic hand tools are needed to assemble your
VEC-121K crystal radio set.
This is a list of the tools you will need:
SAFETY EYEGLASSES or GOGGLES! Working with wires, tools and radio
parts is a lot of fun, but please, safety first! Your local hardware store carries
inexpensive safety goggles. Before you are going to be cutting or working with
wires, hammering, handling any chemicals, or using any tools, put on your
safety eye wear first!
1. Phillips screwdriver. There are eight Phillips head screws included in the
kit, and we will use this tool when it is time to mount parts on the wood
board. Try to find a screwdriver with a shaft (the distance between the tip
and start of the handle) that is at least 3” long.
2. Long-nose pliers. These pliers have a long and tapered nose and are used
by electricians. The long slender nose makes it easy to hold or bend a wire
that is being worked on.
3. Wire cutters. These special pliers have sharp cutters to cut wires. Some
long-nose pliers styles feature built-in wire cutters. Wire cutters are
sometimes called “nippy cutters” or “diagonal wire cutters”—depending on
how they’re made.