Sixty years ago this month, the October 1960 issue of Radio Electronics showed how to put together this one-transistor receiver capable of driving an 8 inch speaker. The author reports that the tone quality was excellent and volume surprisingly loud, as long as an efficient outdoor antenna and ground connection are used. The author reported that from 18 miles north of New York City, a 60-foot flattop antenna pulled in 8 stations with fine quality and volume. Uptown, a 45 foot length of wire dropped out the window of a tall apartment building pulled in 10 stations.

The set is nothing more than a crystal set, hooked directly (with no capacitor) to a one-transistor amplifier. The author used a CK721 transistor, but noted that a 2N106, 2N109, or 2N64 would provide good results. He noted, however, that the venerable CK722 didn’t work well in the circuit. A suitable NPN transistor could be substituted, as long as the polarity of both the diode and battery were reversed.

The author noted that increased voltage could be used for increased volume, but it was necessary to closely monitor the current so as not to exceed the transistor’s ratings.