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[Pirate88179]

I would not leave that hooked up during any electrical storm activity...but then, I guess you already know this. Just wanted to mention it in case you didn't think about it.

Bill

[Bob Smith]

@ Jesus:
Please forgive me asking about what is perhaps obvious, but what type of diode are you using?   Germanium (uses much less voltage) or silicon?

Re grounding your set, I managed to run an insulated heavy gauge wire from the ground cable in my fuse panel to a setup I was playing with, and it seemed to do the trick. (I had considered drilling a hole thru the basement floor as well, but knew I'd eventually have to answer to the boss [my wife]).
Bob

[jadaro2600]

A popular, yet equally effective remedy for the germanium diode is a Schottky diode - which has a voltage drop very similar to that of the germanium diodes.

I've found some Schottky's to have a voltage drop of just 0.211 volts.

[nievesoliveras]

I would not leave that hooked up during any electrical storm activity...but then, I guess you already know this. Just wanted to mention it in case you didn't think about it.

Bill

Yes, I am aware of this. I will put a small gauge fuse to it so if there is an increase in current it will blow the fuse easily.
I should use a fuse on each connection, I mean the Antenna and Ground connections to be safe.
First I need to see if it works.

@ Jesus:
Please forgive me asking about what is perhaps obvious, but what type of diode are you using?   Germanium (uses much less voltage) or silicon?

Re grounding your set, I managed to run an insulated heavy gauge wire from the ground cable in my fuse panel to a setup I was playing with, and it seemed to do the trick. (I had considered drilling a hole thru the basement floor as well, but knew I'd eventually have to answer to the boss [my wife]).
Bob

Welcome @bob !
I could not get a real 1N34 germanium diode, the one that is world wide available is the 1N60. So I am trying a world war II  cat whisker diode that is made with a razor blade and a copper wire.

I cannot play with the fuse panel ground because it is not mine and if something gets damaged on it I have to deal with all the building neighbors. I need to check if the receptacles have the earth ground connected to them and maybe I can test the device with that gorund.

A popular, yet equally effective remedy for the germanium diode is a Schottky diode - which has a voltage drop very similar to that of the germanium diodes.

I've found some Schottky's to have a voltage drop of just 0.211 volts.

I have not tried the schottky diodes yet, but as soon as I can get them I will give them a try.

Thank you to all !
Jesus

[nievesoliveras]

@all

I made an antenna from the window to the fence with an insulated wire.
Then I connected the radio receiver to the antenna outside of the building.
I opened the old telephone installation and connected a wire to the ground connection.
Then I installed the earphone to the radio receiver and try to get something while moving the cat whisker.
I could not get a single sound!

I brought the DMM and tried to get any voltage reading and there was not even a volt on it.
I turnet the DMM dial to 200m DCV and it did not get anything. But when I disconnected the test lead the DMM showed 0.03 ? for a moment and then disappear. I did the same test several times with the same results.

I took out my other meter that its not digital and while having the earphone on my ear, tested all the connections.
While doing so, the earphone produced some sounds each time I connected the test leads.

There was no radio sound and no voltage at all.
I need to blue the blade and try again.
Then I will try with a 1N60.

If nothing good is showed by the DMM.
I will send for a schottky diode and try again.
If still nothing good happens, I will rebuild the old receiver I made last year and try with it and my new knowledge.

Jesus