crystal radios are fascinating early devices
they are cheap, simple, early radio receivers that use the energy of radio waves to produce sound
without needing an external power source ie batteries or electricity.
the diode (crystal) demodulates AM signal to audio we can hear
i chose to make a woven spiderweb-shaped coil as the tuning element
the coil is flat, circular and has fewer turns than traditional cylindrical (toilet paper roll) coils
but their shape increases their inductance to capture radio waves
the weaving technique reminds me of the Cherokee basketweaving style my friend haley taught me
references :
components :
antenna (coil)
diode (peak detector)
amplifier circuit
3D printed casing
softwares :
adobe illustrator
fusion 360
prusa slicer
process :
0. prototyped woven coil radio weaving rattan core -- it works + we have sound!
1. first i sketched an illustrator svg for the coil stand :
2. imported the svg into fusion 360 to extrude + model
3. sliced and added supports in prusa slicer to accomodate for overhang
4. a glorious mess~~ due to lack of supports and vertical printing
5. tried again, printing sideways with supports
next iteration:
print box casing and stand separately
create a housing for speaker and amplifier circuit (and potentiometer vol knob)
add a tuner / capacitor to adjust the frequency band + seek through multiple stations
try more complex weaving techniques
questions :
who controls and standardizes airspace communication today?
how do black and indigenous communities reclaim their sovereignty over the airwaves?
