[Boatanchors] Re Galena Vs Germanium

Sun, 14 Dec 2003 16:09:14 -0700

I seem to remember "iron pyrite" being used in crystal-sets back in the
1940's.

73, Barrie, W7ALW

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Hickman" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; "Duane Fischer, W8DBF" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re Galena Vs Germanium

> 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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>
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>