Crystal Radio Parts, Variable Capacitors, Verniers, and Litz Wire

New Style 365 pf Variable Capacitor

I am pleased to announce a new style of the old 365 pf variable capacitor. This is like the old time capacitor that has been used for generations by dads and their kids making their first crystal radio.

But there have been some changes over the years, and this capacitor brings us in to this new century! These capacitors were spec'd by myself after many years of building radios using someone else's idea of the right capacitor. Now it is my turn!

I raised the capacitance from the usual 365 pf value (15-385 actually) up to a maximum of 410 pf. In the days since the 365 became standard, the MW band has expanded twice. First from 1500 to 1600 kHz in the early forties to 1700 kHz about 20 years ago. To easily cover the entire band without coil taps or external fixed capacitors, I have increased the range of this variable capacitor.

For some reason, the sellers of these capacitors have always specified that the two front mounting holes be in the upper corners. This makes drilling the holes accurately a hit or miss operation at best. (Did you ever try to move a hole?) Now the two front mounting holes have been moved so they are directly in line with the horizontal axis of the shaft.

Most builders mount the capacitor to the front panel. These capacitors can also be mounted using the two 6-32 tapped holes on the bottom of the capacitor. Caution: If you mount the capactors by the bottom, make sure to add some washers to space the capacitor from the chassis. Otherwise you will likely ruin the capacitor because the insulator becomes displaced.

The shaft length is usually 5/8 inch (15mm) long. I can't tell you how many times I have had troubles mounting knobs with so little shaft sticking out! If you try mounting to a panel thicker than 1/8 inch, it just doesn't work. The shaft on this capacitor is a full 7/8 inch (21 mm) long. This means there is no problem using an 1/8 inch panel with nearly any knob. A 3/16 inch panel is useable with some knobs.

I have explained all this to show you the difference between what I am offering and the "usual fare". My interest in not offer just a cheap price for something that will be sure to take the fun out of the hobby, but something that is designed right. This also explains why the price is somewhat higher. I had to pay extra for these changes. The margins on these caps are thin as they come already, so the price had to go up a bit. Below I show the listing for these capacitors.

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	VERNIER	$11.50 Each	6:1 vernier drive. Newly made in the USA. 1/4 inch (6,3mm)shaft. Comes with set screws and dial screws. If you specify the thickness of your dial, I'll put in the right dial screws.
	410pf	$13.00 Each	15-410 pf variable capacitor. Hardware provided for front panel mounting and solder lug grounding. 7/8 inch long shaft.
	PT-4175W	$3.00 Each	Piezo element. Make headphones with these. More sensitive than many magnetic headphones. Mallory PT4175W same as # KBT-44SB-1A Special: $10/4, $20/10, $38/20
	SATO	$5.00 Each	NOS Sato, Made in JAPAN earphone. These are the old time 1950's crystal earphone. They don't make these anymore, so supplies are limited. Special: $19/4, $40/10
	160-102-32	$4.00 Each	NOS 4.5pF Johnson 160-102-32 variable capacitor. Special: $15/4 $30/10
	50pF	$10.00 Each	Variable capacitor. Has 50µµF penciled on the front. Some tarnish with part number 319B103. Unused. Only a few left!

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	KNOB27	$1.50 Each	1-1/16 inch diameter "stove top" style knob. 6 mm hole, with set screw. Use with imported controls. Special: $12/10
	KNOB6	$1.50 Each	Imported knobs. 6 mm hole, with set screw. Use with imported pots and switches. 5 colors available. Special: $12/10
	KNOB40	$3.50 Each	1-9/16 inch diameter VRL style knob. Holds a 6 mm shaft with two set screws. Special: $25/10, $40/20
	KNOB30	$2.00 Each	1-3/16 inch diameter VRK style knob. Holds a 6 mm shaft with two set screws. Special: $15/10, $25/20

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	Ü	Varies	The Überlitz DX Radio coils are now available. Please go to my Überlitz page for details!
	40-44-240µH	$25 Each	Spider coil, 3.50 inch wide. Approx. inductance 240 µH. Wound with 40/44 Litz. Use as detector coil for crystal radios. Sample Q@1 mHz=350. (On unverified HP Q Meter)
	40-44-150µH	$23 Each	Spider coil, 3.50 inch wide. Approx. inductance 150 µH. Wound with 40/44 Litz. Use as ATU or single coil crystal radios. Sample Q@1 mHz=330. (On unverified HP Q Meter)
	40-44-pair	$45 Pair	Spider coils, 1 each 40-44-240µH & 40-44-150µH coil set
	165-46-240µH	$39 Each	Spider coil, 4.75 inch wide. Approx. inductance 240 µH. Wound with 165/46 Litz. Use as detector coils for crystal radios. Sample Q@1 mHz=750. (On unverified HP Q Meter) Large View
	165-46-150µH	$35 Each	Spider coil, 4.75 inch wide. Approx. inductance 150µH. Wound with 165/46 Litz. Use as ATU coils for crystal radios. Large View

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	XTAL200K	$35.00 Each	Custom 200k input headphone autotransformer. Full details on my Überformer page.
	T725	$9.75 Each	The famous Bogen T725 audio matching transformer. Use as autotransformer with 40k ohm input impedance, with 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2500, 5000, and 10000 ohm outputs.

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	6418	$8.00 Each	New old stock 6418 subminiature tube used in some of my radios. Special $30/4, $50/8
	12Sh1L	7.00 Each	New old stock 12Sh1L Russian pentode tube 12.6v/75ma. heater. Loctal base. Aluminum jacket with pull knob on top.
	12Sh1L-SOC	12.00 Each	New old stock 12Sh1L Russian pentode tube 12.6v/75ma. heater. Loctal base. Aluminum jacket with pull knob on top. Ceramic loctal socket is included
	1J29B	5.00 Each	New old stock 1J29B (1Sh29b) Russian pentode tube. Filament: 2.4v/30ma or 1.2v/62ma. Ep=60v, Ip 5.3ma.
	7AM1	$1.50 Each	Cinch 7AM-1, 7 pin top mounted miniature tube socket. Special: $13/10, $20/20
	7-P	$1.00 Each	7 pin phenolic miniature tube socket. Special: $4/5
	9-BIG	$4.00 Each	9 pin tube socket for larger tubes (24JE6, etc). Special: $10/3
	COMP-12	$6.00 Each	12 pin compactron socket, solder terminals.

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	1N34A/10	$3.00/10	1N34A Germanium Diodes. Green cathode band. Special:$24/100
	FH1100	$1.50 Each	FH1100 Hot carrier schottky detector and mixer diode. C=1pf specs Special $15.00/20. $60/100
	AF239	$3.00 Each	AF239S Vintage PNP Germanium Transistor. Limited supply available. As used in a homodyne radio project.

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	2r5 mH	$1.50 Each	Small 2.5mH rf choke, 50 ma current rating. Special $5.00/4
	100uH	$1.00 Each	100µH choke, 5% "Wee-Ductor". 1/2w resistor size. NOS Full leads Special $10.00/12 mix with other wee-ductor ok
	330uH	$1.00 Each	330µH choke, 5% "Wee-Ductor". 1/2w resistor size. NOS Full leads Special $10.00/12 mix with other wee-ductor ok
	MILLER	Various	Miller Coils NOS One of each only! 1354 19 kHz Locked Osc. MPX $2.00 1357 38 kHz MPX Output Xfmr $2.00 1465WB 10.7 mHz, 900 kHz P/P Discriminator $2.00 R-100 4.5 mHz Ratio Detector $2.00 6271 4.5 mHz Ratio Detector $2.00 6205 4.5 mHz Ratio Detector $2.00 13-W2 1.4-1.6 mHz Output IF $15.00 7122 4.5 mHz Sound IF $2.00 6550 455 kHz Input IF $10.00 5221 4µH 6A. Filament Choke $10.00 5220 8.8 µH Hash Choke $5.00 6527 262 kHz Input IF $7.00 6528 262 kHz Output IF $7.00 6540 262 kHz Output IF $7.00 6554 262 kHz Output IF $7.00 8008 262 kHz Output IF $7.00 7602 Color Service Transformer $2.00 7112-E 4.5 mHz Discriminator $2.00 6195-TV Horz Lin. Control 55 deg Sweep $2.00 7101 4.5 mHz Sound Trap $2.00 7528 44 mHz IF 41.25 mHz trap $2.00 7530 44 mHz Second Video $2.00 181 K-Tran Adaptor Plate $4.00
	1000uF-25	$.50 Each	1000uF @ 25vdc radial lead electrolytic capacitors. Made in Japan. Small size. Special $4.00/10
	2200uF	$1.25 Each	2200uF axial lead electrolytic capacitors. 85C, 1.5 inch leads, 1-5/8 inch long, 7/8 inch dia Special $10.00/10
	1000uF-35uF	$.75 Each	1000uF @ 35vdc radial lead electrolytic capacitors. 85C, Nichicon, full leads, 1-5/8 inch long, 7/8 inch diameter. Special $6.00/10

Picture

Item #

Price

Description

Cinch Connectors.
NOS Quantities Limited

Prices are for each.

Discounts for over 25 assorted pieces.

AB= Angle Bracket

CCT= Cable Clamp Top

CCE= Cable Clamp End

FP= Flat Plate

DB=Deep Bracket

SB= Surface Bracket

CINCH

Various

Cinch P-302-AB (2) $4.00
Cinch P-302-CCT (2) $4.00
Cinch S-302-AB (5) $4.00
Cinch S-302-CCT (6) $4.00
Cinch P-303-CCT (16) $4.00
Cinch S-303-CCT (3) $4.00
Cinch S-303-AB (5) $4.00
Cinch P-304-AB (14) $3.00
Cinch P-304-FP (10) $4.00
Cinch S-304-AB (3) $3.00
Cinch S-304-CCT (4) $5.00
Cinch P-304-CCT (3) $5.00
Cinch P-306-AB (7) $4.00
Cinch P-306-DB (11) $5.00
Cinch P-306-CCT (14) $5.00
Cinch P-306-FP (48) $4.00
Cinch S-306-AB (10) $4.00
Cinch S-306-CCT (13) $5.00
Cinch S-306-DB (8) $5.00
Cinch S-318-SB (24) $10.00
Cinch S-321-AB (1) $8.00
Cinch P-321-AB (15) $8.00

Cinch S-404-AB (5) $10.00
Cinch P-404-AB (5) $10.00
Cinch S-408-CCT (3) $12.00
Cinch P-412-CCT (5) $14.00
Cinch P-412-DB (15) $12.00
Cinch P-412-SB (9) $11.00

Cinch S-2406-CCT (6) $12.00
Cinch P-2406-CCT (5) $12.00
Cinch P-2408-CCT (1) $13.00
Cinch S-2408-SB (2) $12.00
Cinch S-2410-CCT (5) $14.00
Cinch S-2412-CCE (1) $15.00
Cinch P-2412-CCE (1) $15.00

Cinch MS-10-140 (53) $0.60
Cinch MS-10-141 (39) $0.60

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	DPST	$2.50 Each	2 pole, 2 position toggle switch. ½ inch hole. 20A 125-250 VAC Perfect for A+B power.Removed from equipment. Special $20.00/10
	5P2T	$1.00 Each	5 pole, 2 position rotary switch, make-before-break contact. 1/4 inch shaft. Special $10.00/12
	1P3T-CRL	$1.50 Each	Centralab 1 pole, 3 position rotary switch, break-before-make contact. 1/4 inch diameter shaft. $10.00/10
	CER-4-5	$8.00 Each	Imported 4 pole, 5 position non-shorting rotary switch with 6 mm diameter shaft. Ceramic wafer. 1-1/4 inch total width. Special: $28/4 $55/10 - Assort with CER-2-11 ok
	CER-2-11	$8.00 Each	Imported 2 pole, 11 position non-shorting rotary switch with 6 mm diameter shaft. Ceramic wafer. 1-1/4 inch total width. Special: $28/4 $55/10 - Assort with CER-4-5 ok
	HKP	$1.00 Each	Bussmann panel mounted fuse holder. Accepts 3AG, 1.25x.25 inch fuses. Solder terminals.
	RCA-2J	$1.00 Pair	RCA style "Phono Jacks". White, Black and Yellow insert colors available. Sold two at a time.

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	HHS-9829P	$10.00	H.H. Smith Shrouded safety jack for Simpson Series 7+8. 48 inch lead length. Special $16/2 Large View
	79-127	$10.00	Imported test leads with banana plug on one end, probes with screw on clips on the other end. Special $16/2 Large View
	01927	$17.00	NOS Simpson 01927 Lead Set. Alligator, Mini Banana , in the original package. For Simpson Model 160 and others. Special $30/2
	02055	$17.00	NOS Simpson 02055 Probe Set. Plain, Mini Banana , in the original package. For Simpson Model 160 and others. Special $30/2
	07500	$13.00	NOS Simpson 07500 Lead Set. Alligator, Banana Plug , in the original package. For Simpson Model 260 (series 6 or earlier) and others. Special $25/2

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	EURO5	$1.00	5 Position European Style Terminal Block. 1.5 inches long. They can be cut apart.
	K-817	$.80	5 Position solder terminal strip. 4 isolated & 1 grounded terminals. Made by KeystoneSpecial $7.50/10

Johnson Binding Posts

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	111-0101-001	$1.00	Johnson Banana Jacks, White.
	111-0103-001	$1.00	Johnson Banana Jacks, Black.
	111-0107-001	$1.00	Johnson Banana Jacks, Yellow.

Mini Banana Jacks
Hole larger than a pin plug, but smaller than a standard banana.
¼ inch mounting.

Picture	Item #	Price	Description
	MBJ-WHITE	$.75	Mini Banana Jack, white. Solder turret. $5/10 Assort ok.
	MBJ-BLACK	$.75	Mini Banana Jack, black. Solder turret. $5/10 Assort ok.
	MBJ-BLUE	$.75	Mini Banana Jack, blue. Solder lug. $5/10 Assort ok.
	MBJ-GREEN	$.75	Mini Banana Jack, green. Solder Lug $5/10 Assort ok.

If you see something that you desire, please go to my order info page for further details.