If you’re interested in experimenting with about the simplest possible circuit for a VHF or UHF receiver, the July 1968 issue of Popular Electronics (page 52) contains an excellent primer on the theory behind such sets.

The article is not a complete construction article, but it gives enough detail to construct a surprisingly sensitive receiver using a single tube (or transistor). The example shown above was constructed by the author, Larry Lisle, K9KZT. The receiver is mounted on the chasis of an old “All American Five” AM receiver, pressed into service to serve as the audio amplifier. The two circuits shown here are variations on the receiver, and the author includes coil data to build the set for frequencies between 28 and 170 MHz. THe choice of tube was not critical, as almost any VHF triode could be used. Suggested examples were the 6AF4, 6C4, or 12AT7.