The plans for this simple one-tube regenerative shortwave receiver appeared in Popular Science 80 years ago this month, July 1936.

It used a single 6C5 metal triode.  The tube, as well as the other components, are readily available, although the modern components might have a slightly different look.  According to the author, the set’s volume and sensitivity equalled those of more complicated circuits.  From the author’s home in Nebraska, the set pulled in amateur, police, air-mail, and commercial shortwave stations from all around the country with excellent headphone volume.  The author was also able to pull in foreign stations, despite a relatively short antenna and being in the middle of a noisy business district.  The total cost of the parts was about five dollars.

The plans showed coil winding data for plug-in coils for 10 through 160 meters.

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