[Boatanchors] Re Galena Vs Germanium

Sun, 14 Dec 2003 13:14:49 -0600

Hi Crystal Set Gang,

Galena was used by 'yours truly' way back in the 30's....To my knowledge,
it was the most popular mineral (lead sulphide ore) in use....
73,

Ken....N5CM....NNN0FKQ....

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Forster" <[email protected]>
To: "Duane Fischer, W8DBF" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 11:13 AM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Galena Vs Germanium

> Certainly Galena was used pre-WW II. In the 50s, when cheap Ge diodes
became
> available, they replaced the Galena, except when Galena was used for
nostalgic
> purposes. I am not aware that a naked chunk of Ge was ever widely used. Si
is a poor
> choice, since it's forward drop is much higher than Ge. Nowdays, Schottkey
junction
> diodes are a better choice.
>
> -John
>
> > Does anyone know when the crystals used in early sets, Galena I think,
were
> > changed over to Germanium? I know that Germanium was used in a diode,
later
> > Silicon, but was Germanium used as a crystal with cat whisker prior to
that?
> >
> > I am quite sure what I used in the early sixties was a piece of
Germanium with a
> > cat whisker, even though the diode may have been available then.
> >
> > Thank you.
> >
> > R.Alan Miller
>
>
>
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